Ranking the Vikings’ 2019 draft needs after the first wave of free agency

Linebacker

Anthony Barr shocked the world when he suddenly changed his mind from going to the New York Jets to come back to Minnesota. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that his days in purple were over.

The Vikings opted to give extensions to other players in previous offseasons, which led many to believe they thought Barr was expendable. The lack of cap room Minnesota has this year also made it seem like a given that the linebacker would be let go. But that didn’t happen.

Barr re-signing with the Vikings is a good move all around. Minnesota could have looked at replacing him with a more traditional 4-3 outside linebacker with guys like Devin White or Devin Bush available in the draft this year.

The thing is though that both White and Bush had great showings at the 2019 Combine and there is no guarantee that either would be available for the Vikings with the 18th pick.

Barr is a rare and versatile player who is still playing at a very high level. Mike Zimmer is very comfortable with him and Barr knows his scheme inside and out and now Zim won’t have to worry about a rookie starting in the spot next year when the team is still very much in contention in the NFC.

That being said, Minnesota still could, and very much should, select a linebacker at some point during the 2019 draft. Ben Gedeon is nothing special on the weak side and the Vikings could look to upgrade at his spot in the defense, and even use one of their first three choices to do so.