NFL free agency 2022: Best linebackers available

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after sacking Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after sacking Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 26: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams (not in photo) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 26: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams (not in photo) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

2. Anthony Barr

If your NFL franchise happens to be interested in a linebacker who is experienced and possibly still has a few solid, productive seasons still left ahead of him, Anthony Barr might be worth taking a gamble on.

It all depends on what contract can be agreed upon and how healthy Barr can be.

Barr will have just turned 30 by the time the 2022-2023 season gets underway and assuming he’s able to stay healthy, he’s got the sort of experience that could benefit many franchises. Given that he has spent his entire NFL career with the less-than-stellar Minnesota Vikings, it’s worth wondering if he’d be interested in making a deal with a championship contender so he can get a ring.

Barr has been a very solid, productive contributor for the Vikings in seven of the past eight seasons. That one outlier is 2020, when he was sidelined once for COVID-19 and then missed the vast majority of the season after an injury.

After dealing with some knee issues, he returned in 2021, played in 11 games, picked off three passes, and made 72 tackles. That’s a pretty solid showing that a lot of teams could benefit from if he’s able to consistently replicate it.

Barr has been to four Pro-Bowls, has accumulated just shy of 500 tackles through eight seasons, and has played in (and started) 98 games. He’s a very solid, respectable veteran that could bring a lot to several franchises that could desperately use some help on defense.

His injuries are something to definitely keep in mind, but he’s probably worth the gamble for some teams out there.