PFF Predicts Breakout Season for Vikings Safety
One of the most intriguing areas of the Vikings roster is the safety position. It has been an area of strength in recent years, but will undergo a major change this season. A new face is set to step into a major role, and Pro Football Focus predicts a breakout season for one Vikings safety.
VikingsTerritory examines Pro Football Focus’ decision to include a Vikings safety in their All-Breakout team.
Three safeties have almost been the default formation for the Vikings. Camryn Bynum took on the role of the deep safety, Harrison Smith lurked around using his disguises, something he does as well as anyone who’s ever played the game, and Josh Metellus was the third guy often down at the line of scrimmage and in the slot.
With Bynum gone, a space opens up for someone to step in. With no significant additions through free agency or the draft, that man is set to be Theo Jackson.
PFF released their All-Breakout team for 2025, and Jackson took one of the two safety spots. Entering his fourth season, the Vikings’ safety is in an ideal position for a breakout season. Here is what PFF had to say about his selection.
The Vikings concentrated the majority of their 2025 capital in their offensive and defensive lines, but safety is a position worth monitoring this season. Jackson is poised to help ease those concerns.
On only 79 defensive snaps last season, Jackson shined with a 79.2 overall PFF grade and a stringent 77.1 PFF coverage grade. In his three years with the Vikings, the former sixth-round pick has only played 222 total defensive snaps but has finished above a 69.0 PFF coverage grade in every season.
With Camryn Bynum no longer in Minnesota, the Vikings didn’t sign or draft someone to directly replace him. That leaves Jackson the next man up alongside Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus to play an important role in Brian Flores’ unique defense. After all, three Vikings safeties exceeded 1,000 snaps last season, which means Jackson very well may become a significant contributor for Flores.
Taking up the mantle of Bynum’s every-down role is a considerable jump. Going from just 7% of defensive snaps in 2024 to the possibility of over 1000 in 2025 is huge. Will the Vikings ask Jackson to do that?
Jackson’s Role in 2025
Jackson has always stepped in and played well during his three years in Minnesota, as evidenced by his PFF grades. There is certainly potential for him to succeed in the deep safety role, with coverage his strong suit. It’s a small sample size, but Jackson has two interceptions and four pass deflections over the last couple of seasons, as well as 38 tackles. Turning 27 during the season, if a breakthrough is going to happen for Jackson, the time is now.
Jackson’s ability in coverage is what makes him the favored candidate to take over Bynum’s role. 36-year-old Smith still offers plenty to the Vikings defense, but he’s not as sticky in coverage as he once was. You also lose a lot of what he’s good at if you ask him to play deep all the time. The same can be said about Metellus, who excels down at the line of scrimmage in the hybrid role that Flores has created for him in his defense. I’d be hesitant to move him from that role that has brought about much success.
Coach Flores should have seen enough over the last two years to make an informed decision on whether he thinks Jackson is ready to take on a larger role.
The Vikings could use three safeties less often this season with cornerbacks like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah taking on the fifth defensive back role. However, I don’t see anyone better suited to taking on the deep safety role than Jackson. The opportunity is there for a breakout season. It’s up to Jackson to take it.
Jackson was the only Vikings player picked for the team, with the likes of JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner overlooked.
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