Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 free agents worth targeting in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots reacts against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots reacts against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

. Cornerback. 2017 Base Salary: $3,910,000. Malcolm Butler. 5. player. 47

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have some serious issues at cornerback this season.

No. 1 cornerback Rashard Robinson has been a disappointment his second year at the pro level, ranking 96th among all corners, per Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, fellow starting cornerback Dontae Johnson isn’t much further behind, ranked No. 99 overall.

And with rookie corner Ahkello Witherspoon active in just one of the Niners’ five games this season, it’s unclear what the future might hold for San Francisco’s third-round NFL Draft pickup from 2017.

Pending free-agent, Los Angeles Rams corner Trumaine Johnson, might be the more sought-after player on the open market. But a franchise tag in 2017 could easily point to him cashing in on a massive deal.

In reality, though, New England Patriots corner Malcolm Butler might be the more reasonable option.

The Patriots are pressed up a bit higher towards the salary cap, meaning Butler could easily be a commodity not re-signed by New England this offseason.

And with a PFF grade of 77.1 this season, the 27-year-old Butler would certainly be an upgrade over what the 49ers have already.

Let’s figure he’d be in the market for roughly $6 million a season. Reasonable.