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NFL free agency 2020: Best safeties available

By Russell S. Baxter

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings makes an interception in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings makes an interception in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

3. SS Anthony Harris (Minnesota Vikings)

Yes, Mike Zimmer’s club finished 10-6 in 2019 and earned a playoff berth for the third time in five years. But it was quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive unit that was the driving force for the Purple Gang this past season.

That doesn’t mean that there weren’t some outstanding individual performances on the defensive side of the ball. End Danielle Hunter (14.5 sacks in ’19) continues to be one of the premier edge rushers in the league. There’s talent everywhere in linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr and heady safety Harrison Smith.

Speaking of the second, it was a breakout year for Anthony Harris in his fifth NFL campaign. The former Univeristy of Virginia produced finished with 60 stops, was tied for second on the team with 11 passes defensed and came up with seven (6 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery) of the Vikings’ 31 takeaways. He also picked off Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees in the overtime playoff win at New Orleans. And those aforementioned six INTs in the regular season were tied for the league lead with 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore (Patriots) and cornerback Tre’Davious White (Bills).

Over the past two seasons, Harris has played in 29 regular-season contests and intercepted nine passes. And whether he stays in the Twin Cities or heads elsewhere, he’s a player that appears to really be coming into his own.

Next: No. 2

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