Minnesota Vikings free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a sack against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

3. Shaquil Barrett

No matter how much depth a team has up front, adding an edge rusher is always a good idea. The Minnesota Vikings do have some good pass rushers, but they are facing some questions about the future of Everson Griffen.

This isn’t a production issue for Griffen, who picked up eight sacks for the Vikings in 2019. The problem is that Griffen is 32 years old and the Vikings can save $13 million by cutting him, which is a lot of money for a team that has cap issues.

If Minnesota takes the savings and cuts Griffen, they will need to find a replacement for him. One of the more intriguing options on the edge rusher market is Shaquil Barrett, who led the league in sacks for Tampa Bay with 19.5.

Barrett is coming off a monstrous year, but he is a bit of a one-hit-wonder, so the cost to land him may not be as high with a more proven commodity. Tampa Bay also may not franchise Barrett since they still have to sort out the Jameis Winston situation.

Griffen has been a solid member of the Vikings for years, but moving on from him and signing Barrett would be a smart business decision for Minnesota. This is the type of move smart organizations make, and the Vikings have proven they have a savvy front office over the years to remain consistently competitive.

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