Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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ESPN tabs 'best team fits' for top 50 NFL free agents
The 2020 season is now fully in the rear-view mirror, and the new league year is set to kick off five weeks from now on March 17.
Which players set to become free agents will re-sign with their current teams, and which will test the waters and find new homes?
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently opined best team fits for each of the outlet's top 50 free agents in 2021.
Two of the free agents listed are currently on the Vikings roster: safety Anthony Harris (No. 36) and linebacker Eric Wilson (No. 50), both of whom originally joined Minnesota as undrafted free agents in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Harris, whom the Vikings used a franchise tag on last season, has been a full-time starter alongside Harrison Smith for the past two seasons. Fowler suggested that Harris would be a good fit for the Browns. He wrote:
[Head Coach] Kevin Stefanski knows Harris' game well from his Minnesota days, and Harris has played strong or free safety in his career, providing Cleveland with much-needed flexibility as Grant Delpit works his way back from a torn Achilles. Cleveland can run it back with Karl Joseph, who played on a one-year deal, but needs reinforcements regardless. A few more pieces and the Browns are firmly contending in the AFC.
Meanwhile, Fowler said that Wilson's best situation would be to stay right where he is.
Minnesota generally likes to re-sign players it developed, and Wilson went from undrafted free agent to splash playmaker with [121] tackles, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions in 2020. The Vikings would be smart to make this work, especially with several key defensive players either coming off injury or aging. Minnesota has a $12.1 million cap deficit to assuage first.
Fowler also said the Vikings are the best fit for another name on his list: Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson, who landed at No. 46 on his list.
Originally a fourth-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2017, Lawson played all 16 games (11 starts) in 2020. He totaled 36 tackles (league stats), 5.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
The Vikings must address a pass rush that struggled as Danielle Hunter missed all of last season. It's uncharacteristic to see Minnesota rank 28thin team sacks. Lawson fits [Head Coach] Mike Zimmer's style as a heavy-handed 263-pounder who can win with physicality and power. Plus, he's from the Bengals defensive tree Zimmer knows well.