6 free-agent returners the Vikings could sign in 2020

Kenjon Barner

Kenjon Barner was a star at Oregon whose NFL career hasn’t quite panned out the way some envisioned it would when he came out of school. He’s been far from a bust, but he hasn’t been able to forge a consistent role on any offense he’s been a part of. He’s still in the league because of his ability to return both punts and kicks.

Barner is just a wee little guy standing 5-foot-9 and weighing in at 195 pounds. He’s extremely shifty and he still has good top speed and overall explosiveness.

Barner has bounced all over the league since being a sixth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2013. He’s played for the Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, back to the Carolina, and most recently with the Atlanta Falcons.

Barner has 1,124 career kick return yards, but he hasn’t taken any back to the house. He’s probably better suited as a punt returner where his great short-area quickness allows him to often avoid the first contact. As a punt returner, he’s totaled 555 yards, one touchdown, and two returns of over 40 yards. One concern is that he has fumbled the ball 10 times in his career, so he’ll have to work on his ball security.

Barner could also have a role on the running back depth chart for the Vikings. He isn’t going to get tough yards up the middle, but he could be effective as a receiver out of the backfield. Barner probably isn’t the top option as Minnesota’s future return man, but he has plenty of experience and he could be had at a minimal cost.