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NFL Trade Destinations for Top Holdouts and 2019 Free Agents

By Erik Lambert

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack in the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack in the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Anthony Barr (LB)

The Minnesota Vikings had the best defense in the NFL last season. Anthony Barr was one of its best players. The outside linebacker is among the most athletic and versatile at his position in the NFL. Somebody who can play the run, drop in coverage or go after the quarterback. There isn’t anything he can’t do if asked. Typically teams don’t let talents like that slip away. The problem is money, Minnesota doesn’t have a lot of it. So unless they get creative, this may be an unavoidable sacrifice.

Destination:  New England Patriots

Barr is exactly the sort of player Bill Belichick loves. The Patriots head coach has long coveted versatile players who can do more than one thing on the field. Barr’s ability to not only play a traditional linebacker role but also rush the pass will add much more flexibility to that New England defense. They also have the picks necessary to make such a deal.

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