Free agent rumors have Lions as the favorite to sign LB Anthony Barr

The Detroit Lions need some help on defense and have some money to spend in free agency. That leads to many rumors on the dawn of free agency, which kicks off this Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

One of those rumors has ex-Vikings OLB Anthony Barr interested in joining the Lions.

In addition to Anthony Barr, #Jets have serious interest in free-agent rushers Trey Flowers & Dante Fowler, per sources. They’re, obviously, not alone. #Lions considered favorite, & #MIN not out, for Barr, #Dolphins like Flowers, & #Rams would like to retain Fowler, per sources

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 9, 2019

Barr has earned appearances in four straight Pro Bowls as a weakside backer in Minnesota. He was more of a pass rusher in his college days at UCLA (23 sacks in two years) but has become more of an all-around LB with the Vikings. The 26-year-old has just 6 sacks in the last three seasons.

He’s improved into being one of the better tacklers in the last couple of seasons, and Barr can also drop in coverage.

Signing Barr makes some sense for the Lions, even though he doesn’t fill the primary defensive need at pass rusher. He’d represent an upgrade over Christian Jones and can help the pass rush, as well as providing a more downhill option vs. outside runs.

We’ll find out the validity of the rumor in the next few days.