What comes next for Anthony Harris and the Vikings?
By Dean Jones
Could Harris be traded?
Despite Anthony Harris receiving the franchise tag, there is still a possibility he does not start the 2020 season with the Vikings.
Any team that sees the safety as a considerable upgrade will not have been put off by Minnesota’s shocking move this week. This could mean possible trade suitors for the player ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Vikings may have been planning for this all along. Putting the tag on Harris ensures they either keep him around in 2020 or they receive a substantial amount of compensation in any potential trade. This is a smart move from an organization that has come out of the busy free agency period extremely well during its early stages.
Harris will want to know sooner rather than later what Minnesota’s plans are with him though. Not knowing where he stands heading into the season could have a detrimental effect on his chances of replicating an exceptional 2019 performance.
If the Vikings receive an offer that involves a second-round pick for Harris, then a trade will be considered. If the Stefon Diggs trade to the Buffalo Bills has taught the Minnesota fan base anything, it’s that no player is immune to being dealt if it benefits the organization’s long-term ambitions.
A lot will depend on whether Harris and the Vikings can work out a new deal. If they are too far apart on a desired figure, then the best move for the team would be to get as much as they possibly can right now rather than almost certainly losing him for nothing in 2021.