2014 NFL Draft grades: Minnesota Vikings select Anthony Barr

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr (11) during the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

With the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings went with UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr.

Given the fact that the team recently hired long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as their new head coach, it should be no surprise that he and the organization chose to go in the direction of a tremendous pass rusher off the edge.

In his career at UCLA, Barr compiled a total 152 tackles with 41.5 of those for loss with an amazing 23.5 sacks. Barr is the type of player that Zimmer will love to utilize in his various schemes that have done wonders throughout the league for years.

Many thought that the team would go in the direction of a quarterback, maybe Johnny Manziel, however Zimmer has a plan in place to get this organization back to the top of the NFC North, and he wants to start that with the versatile Barr terrorizing Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler off the edge.

In the end, this was a great pick for the Vikings, although it might not be the flashy one for some. There is still a lot of work that Barr has to do, but in time and especially working consistently with Zimmer, he could be a Pro-Bowler down the road, much like a Jason Taylor.

Grade: B+

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