Anthony Barr, New York Jets expected to agree to contract
The New York Jets just made their first major splash of free agency, and in the process their defense should be getting a whole lot better.
The Jets plan to sign linebacker Anthony Barr, a source confirmed to NorthJersey.com and Paste BN NETWORK New Jersey. The former Vikings linebacker made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons and is only 26 years old.
ESPN first reported the agreement. A contract can't be inked until Wednesday. Details of the contract were not yet available.
It's a compelling signing and a bold move for the Jets, who are hoping that they finally landed a capable edge rusher.
Barr was drafted ninth overall in 2014 and developed into one of the best linebackers in the league with the Minnesota Vikings. He didn't really stand out as a pass rusher in Minnesota — he had only 13.5 sacks in five seasons, including only three last year.
But Barr wasn't really used as an edge rusher with the Vikings, where he was more of an off-ball linebacker. That will change with the Jets, who badly need help getting to the quarterback — the Jets were ranked 23rd in the NFL in sack percentage last season. New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will almost certainly line Barr up on othe edge and let him get after the quarterback.
There's no guarantee how well it will work, because Barr doesn't have extensive experience as an edge rusher in the NFL. But it's easy to see why Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan is betting it will.
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Barr has all the tools to be an elite pass rusher. The 26-year-old is 6-foot-5, 255 pounds and has good quickness and strength. And in college, at UCLA, he was one of the best college pass rushers in the country. Barr had 23.5 sacks in his final two seasons at UCLA (13.5 as a junior, 10 as a senior).
Even in a non pass-rushing role, Barr had a big impact with the Vikings. Now we're going to find out if he can be the player the Jets need.
Williams has a reputation for getting the most out of his players. It's going to to be fascinating to see how the Jets bring along Barr in this new role.
Follow NorthJersey.com's Andy Vasquez on Twitter @andy_vasquez.
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