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Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency

By Joe Kipp

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 11: A.J. Cann #60 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in action against Jarvis Jenkins #98 of the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 11: A.J. Cann #60 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in action against Jarvis Jenkins #98 of the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

OLB K.J. Wright

Sure, K.J. Wright isn’t the player he once was, but the Vikings could greatly benefit by signing him as a much cheaper replacement for impending free agent outside linebacker Anthony Barr. The former Seattle Seahawks linebacker appears to be one of the biggest bargains in 2019 NFL free agency.

According to Spotrac, Wright’s market value is set at $5.1 million per season. Minnesota could sign Wright to a three-year deal in the neighborhood of around $15-18 million total. Barr, on the other hand, is projected to have a market value of around $8.3 million per season. His projected contract is valued at around five years and $42 million total.

The biggest difference between the two? Wright is already 29 years old, while Barr just turned 26. Still, the age difference shouldn’t scare off the Vikings too much. According to Pro Football Focus, Wright is one of the best coverage linebackers in the entire NFL. Last season, he only allowed 0.62 yards per cover snap, which ranked fourth among all linebackers. He finished the year as PFF’s No. 28 linebacker overall.

Next. NFL Free Agency: Early predictions for top 10 players. dark

As for Barr, coverage has always been a weak point. He finished the year as PFF’s No. 44 linebacker in coverage, but 26th overall. The Vikings could shore up the middle of the field with a bargain signing in Wright, who’s still one of the best in the game today.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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