Minnesota Vikings: 5 Dream targets in 2018 NFL free agency

Malcolm Butler, CB, New England Patriots

I’ve been a big proponent of an upgrade at the No. 2 cornerback spot this season. Trae Waynes has held his own as the other starter across from Xavier Rhodes, but I don’t think he’s the player that’s going to get the job done for the next few years.

Instead, the Vikings should go out and sign a truly elite cornerback in 2018. Someone who has proven himself capable of making big plays in the clutch. Someone who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Maybe someone like, oh I don’t know, Malcolm Butler.

There are a couple of intriguing cornerbacks set to hit the open market next offseason. None, however, offer the talent, instincts and playmaking abilities of Butler, the New England Patriots’ top cover man and hero of Super Bowl 49. Some folks like to call him overrated, but his performance since that legendary interception would suggest otherwise.

Butler is truly one of the elite cornerbacks in the league right now. So when I think about him playing across from Rhodes, with Smith (and Burnett?) providing support over the top, it makes me wonder how many nightmares that group would induce for opposing quarterbacks.

There’s a decent chance the Patriots re-sign Butler. Still, there was word last offseason they were trying to trade him, and Bill Belichick isn’t fond of dishing out big bucks to retain top talent. If he makes his way into the free agency pool, the Vikings would have to be interested.