Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2018 draft plans: Quality of players selected ninth overall in the NFL Draft

By Chris Wilson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 31: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after tackling Michael Burton #46 of the Chicago Bears for no gain on third down in the first quarter of the game on December 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 31: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after tackling Michael Burton #46 of the Chicago Bears for no gain on third down in the first quarter of the game on December 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
49ers Draft Anthony Barr
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Anthony Barr #55 and Tom Johnson #92 of the Minnesota Vikings tackle Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

LB Anthony Barr, 2014

In 2014, the Minnesota Vikings selected outside linebacker Anthony Barr, a versatile athlete who played wide receiver, tight end and running back in college before settling on outside linebacker during his junior year at UCLA. Barr excelled on the defensive side of the ball, recording double-digit sacks in both his junior and senior seasons.

Barr had a successful rookie season with the Vikings, with four sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries — including one of the plays of the season: a game-winning forced fumble and touchdown return in overtime.

Barr took the next step in 2015 with a stellar season in head coach Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme, earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. After his sophomore performance, the Vikings appeared to have a star in the making.

Unfortunately, Barr’s play fell off a cliff in 2016, due to a lack of effort that Zimmer described as the linebacker’s “tendency to coast.” John Clayton of ESPN ranked Barr as one of the NFL’s most disappointing players of the season, although though the linebacker was selected for the Pro Bowl based on name recognition.

Barr improved in 2017, although he was held to a single sack over 16 games. The outside linebacker finished the season as PFF’s 43rd ranked linebacker, with an overall grade of 71.4.

2018 will certainly be a make-or-break year for Barr, who is set to earn $12.3 million in his option year with the Vikings.