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Denver Broncos: Possible free agent linebacker targets

By Sayre Bedinger

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 10: K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks walks off the field during the second half of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 10, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 10: K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks walks off the field during the second half of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 10, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings

Age: 26 (27 in March)

The Broncos are in a unique position this offseason.

They have just hired one of the NFL’s best defensive minds in Vic Fangio. Why not give him some of the best talent in the league and see what he can do?

The Broncos already have a bunch of studs on their defensive front but one player who could play a hybrid role all around the defense is Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings.

Barr is a unique type of playmaker at the linebacker position who can play on the defensive line, out in space, blitzing from the middle, or pretty much anywhere else in the box.

He’s a physical freak of nature who was thought to be a potential double-digit sack guy coming out of UCLA in 2014, but has not topped his career high of four set back when he was a rookie.

The Broncos don’t need an edge player, but they need playmakers on the defensive front seven and Barr is a guy you can move around and play just about anywhere. He doesn’t need to be pigeon-holed into one specific spot.

He’s probably going to earn a lot of money in free agency, but if it’s within a reasonable range, the Broncos should explore him as an option to play alongside Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, as he played off the ball in Minnesota the last five years.

Mike Zimmer is an excellent defensive coach, but it’s hard to think we’ve seen the best of Anthony Barr yet. He could be a big-time playmaker in Fangio’s defense.

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