Layers of the Vikings roster were overturned last offseason in the biggest free agency exodus under coach Mike Zimmer.
More changes are ahead in 2021, as the Vikings have 10 unrestricted free agents and four restricted free agents scheduled to be available to other teams, in some capacity, come March. Here's a deeper look at how the five most active free agents fared in 2020.
Unofficial NFL stats, such as QB pressures, missed tackles and targeted passes, are compiled by ProFootballFocus.com. Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and restricted free agents (RFAs) are designated as such.
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1. Safety Anthony Harris (UFA) played on the one-year, $11.4 million franchise tag after tying the NFL lead with six interceptions during the 2019 regular season. General Manager Rick Spielman's move didn't really pay off for the Vikings or Harris, who was tagged last year with the salary cap room gained by Kirk Cousins' contract extension. Spielman wanted to tag and trade Harris, according to league sources at the time, but failed, and Harris became the only Vikings defender — and just one of four players overall — to play every down with 1,075 snaps [100%].
Not penalized. Deflected seven passes with no interceptions. Typically always in the right place, but environment changed drastically with often unreliable and rotating cornerbacks. Was most effective as a single-high safety breaking on underneath routes. Plays with strong instincts and anticipation, but looked to be guessing more in 2020. Allowed four touchdowns in coverage. Caught flat-footed and chasing Packers receiver Davante Adams on a 24-yard touchdown before halftime of the Week 1 loss. Looked backward to see safety Harrison Smith intercept Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the Week 3 loss; Mike Zimmer alluded afterward that should've been Harris' deep zone. Later vs. Tennessee, Harris jumped a third-down route by Titans receiver Adam Humphries for a deflection. Made a similar play to break up a first-down pass over the middle in the Week 6 loss to Atlanta. Let Bucs receiver Scotty Miller breeze by on the 48-yard touchdown in the Week 14 loss.
Like most Vikings defenders, Harris had a really bad final month. Missed a career-high 10 tackles, including six in the final three games. Took a bad angle and missed Alvin Kamara on the opening 40-yard score of Kamara's record-tying six touchdowns in the Week 16 loss. Couldn't keep up with Lions receiver Marvin Jones, who ran by Harris for a 43-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Week 17 win. Harris isn't going to win many races against NFL speed. He wins off intellect and anticipation. So, as the Vikings' pass rush fell off precipitously, teams schemed up some deep shots over Harris.
The 48-yard Miller touchdown in Tampa Bay was a good example. It's the first quarter. On the previous third down, Zimmer blitzed Bucs quarterback Tom Brady. Miller gets open deep, but Brady doesn't see him and throws incomplete at the feet of receiver Chris Godwin.