Minnesota Vikings 2018 season offseason forecast: Linebackers
By Adam Carlson
Nearly all of the linebackers from 2017 are returning for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, but there some things the team could do heading into next season.
The Minnesota Vikings had one of the most stingy and intimidating defenses in the NFL during the 2017 NFL season and are hoping to bring that same kind of fear into the hearts of opponents during 2018.
The middle of that defense featured a linebacker grouping that the franchise used some top draft picks on and have taken some significant time to develop, but what should the team do to improve at the position next season?
Let’s take a look at the players at linebacker who are under contract heading into the 2018 NFL season and who the team will need to make a decision on heading into the new year according to Spotrac:
Linebackers under contract in 2018
- Anthony Barr (UFA in 2019)
- Eric Kendricks (UFA in 2019)
- Antwione Williams (ERFA in 2019)
- Kentrell Brothers (UFA in 2020)
- Shaan Washington (RFA in 2020)
- Eric Wilson (RFA in 2020)
- Ben Gedeon (UFA in 2021)
Linebackers set to become free agents
- Emmanuel Lamur (UFA)
The Vikings are paying a big price in 2018 to keep Barr for one more year on the 5th year option of his rookie contract, but locking him down at over $12 million could allow the team to evaluate him for one more season or give him an extension without worrying about losing him in free agency.
Meanwhile, the only linebacker to hit free agency this year is Lamur. According to Pro Football Reference, he played 78 snaps on defense and 166 on special teams, making him a contributor who may want to be brought back for the season.
Minnesota is likely to go into 2018 with Barr and Kendricks as starters with Gedeon penciled in yet competing for the starting position.
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Offseason options
- Decide what to do with Barr. Should they pay him for the big 5th year of his rookie deal or use that time to work out a long-term deal with guaranteed money? That all depends on how much they believe in him.
- Ensure depth and special teams. Losing Lamur doesn’t sound like too bad of a thing, but he is a player who can be counted on as a backup and role player.
- Evaluate options. Minnesota is unlikely to pass up a great option in free agency or the draft if a possibility arises to improve their defense. Expect them to do their due diligence in evaluating the position.
What the plan should be
Minnesota will likely roll with paying Barr the 5th year option for one more season while they evaluate him. With so many linebackers under contract, there won’t be any massive shakeup unless a high-profile free agent shows big interest or an amazing prospect falls to them in the draft.
It has to be believed that the Vikings would be happy rolling with their starting unit of Barr, Kendricks, and Gedeon in 2018 while getting special teams contributions from Brothers, Wilson, and the others.
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What do you think the Minnesota Vikings should do at linebacker as they prepare to enter the 2018 NFL season? Let us know what your offseason plan would be in the comments section below.