6 Minnesota Vikings who need to step up their play this season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Eric Kendricks #54 and Andrew Sendejo #34 after a interception against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack in the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Anthony Barr – Minnesota Vikings /

Anthony Barr, linebacker

At this time, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what is going on with Anthony Barr. At one time, he looked like an athletic freak and a shining example of a player who could do many things for Mike Zimmer, but now he seems lost.

Barr is being asked to do a lot of things this year, but the most frustrating to this point is when he is asked to cover wide receivers downfield. However, even when asked to do other things, Barr isn’t quite flourishing.

The linebacker still has zero sacks on the season and ranks fourth on the team in tackles with only six of them being solo efforts.

While he is still grading out better than his 2016 season, Barr is stuck at 61.8 through the first five games of the season. This is a pretty significant dip from his 2015 season where he shined and had a grade of 89.6.

No matter what the issue is with Barr, figuring it out and getting him back on track could be a significant benefit to the defense.

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