The Vikings have made two semi-big moves in free agency thus far, signing linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
Barr signed a five-year deal worth $67.5 million and $33 million guaranteed. Stephen signed a three-year, $12.5 million deal with $4.9 million guaranteed.
The folks over at Pro Football Focus don’t love either signing, putting them in their “Below Average” section in their latest free-agency grades article.
Personally, I’m OK with the Barr signing. The Stephen signing I’m a little less favorable about.
Barr has had his moments. You don’t just make four-straight Pro Bowls without any talent. While he’s been inconsistent, the Vikings are better with him than without him.
With the Vikings signing Barr, they don’t have cap space to sign a big-name offensive lineman in free agency and this all but ensures they’ll draft one in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
As for Stephen, it makes sense. The Vikings knew they weren’t going to be able to bring Sheldon Richardson and Stephen is a player who is familiar with the team, having been in Minnesota from 2014-17. Still, he’s mostly been a depth player and that contract his awfully rich for a player who hasn’t done much in the league.
