Vikings Sign Top Draft Choice Anthony Barr
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday they've agreed to terms with their top overall choice from this year's NFL Draft.
Linebacker Anthony Barr out of UCLA signed his rookie contract with the Vikings. He was taken with the No. 9 overall selection after the Vikings traded their No. 8 pick to Cleveland. Barr was a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to college football's top linebacker, and the Lombardi Award, given to college football's best defensive lineman or linebacker, last season.
He was also a finalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player in the nation, and was an All-American last year. He finished his last two seasons with 151 tackles, including 40.5 tackles for a loss, 23.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
The Vikings also signed sixth-round draft choice Antone Exum, a safety out of Virginia Tech.