With Hunter’s extension, focus now shifts to Barr, Diggs, and Waynes

Anthony Barr:

Barr may potentially be the odd man out in this scenario. While he certainly has the talent of an All-Pro, he’s had problems with consistency on the field.

Since his rookie season, Barr hasn’t quite been the same player. His 2015 season was good but not quite up to par with his dominance shown in 2014.

In 2016 his effort was brought into question by Mike Zimmer. And despite having a great first half of the season in 2017, the second half he reverted back his old disappearing habits.

Barr is at his best when he’s seemingly making an impact on a play-by-play basis.

Minnesota Vikings

If he’s not sacking the quarterback, he can rush the quarterback into forced throws. If he’s not tallying up tackles for losses, he can blow up running lanes and make it easier for his teammates to get to those tackles for a loss.

One could make the argument that when he’s at his best, Barr has shown the ability to pop out on the TV screen snap after snap to the likes of Ed Reed and Von Miller.

Unfortunately, besides the inconsistency issues, the Vikings also have a player in the linebacker where if he’s not on the roster, the team still has one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Compare that to the massive drop in offensive production if Minnesota were to let Diggs walk or the easy target that would be presented to opposing offenses with Mackensie Alexander or any other question mark at the third corner position assuming Waynes signs elsewhere and Newman retires.

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Barr suddenly becomes the most replaceable of the remaining players in contract years.