Landing spots for the top 5 remaining NFL free agents in 2022

2022 NFL Free Agents; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2022 NFL Free Agents; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Free Agents
NFL Free Agents; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) directs the defense against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Top NFL Free Agents still available after the 2022 NFL Draft

5. Anthony Barr, LB

Prediction: Signs with the Denver Broncos

It feels weird that Anthony Barr doesn’t have a team yet for the 2022 NFL season.

One of the top NFL Free Agents available regardless of position, Barr just turned 30 this offseason and should have a bit of a chip on his shoulder for lasting this long, presumably waiting for the right situation both football-wise and financial-wise to present itself.

Barr’s resume speaks volumes. He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection for the Minnesota Vikings who can do a little bit of everything at the linebacker position.

He can play off the edge and rush the quarterback, he can blitz, and he can play in coverage.

Built almost more like a defensive end, the former first-round pick out of UCLA should find a home before the meat of OTAs begin, and I think that home will be with the Denver Broncos.

General manager George Paton was part of drafting Barr out of UCLA once upon a time, and there are at least a couple of advocates on the Broncos’ staff with ties to Barr not just with the Vikings, but as fellow UCLA alum.

Not only did Paton and Barr both go to UCLA, but they also are alumni of the same high school in California.

Small world.

Given their prior relationship in Minnesota, as well as the ties to UCLA, the marriage between Barr and the Denver Broncos makes sense.

It makes even more sense when you consider that the Denver Broncos completely passed on linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft and may have a need for a starter next to Josey Jewell.

The team likes Alex Singleton, but he might have been signed more for special teams than as a starter on the defense. They also like Jonas Griffith, a young player who may yet need some seasoning.

Signing Barr to a short-term deal wouldn’t be prohibitive cost-wise and could give the Denver Broncos’ defense an even further boost in 2022.