8 dream free agents for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024
By Luke Parrish
Vikings Dream Free Agent No. 3
Antoine Winfield Jr. - S
2023 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Exactly 20 years after his father signed with the Vikings in free agency, Antoine Winfield Jr. is on the market and could do the exact same this offseason.
Winfield, a safety who has shined for the Buccaneers thus far in his career, is one of the best players available this offseason.
With Harrison Smith's future up in the air thanks to a high cap number, it is at least plausible that Minnesota could look to replace him with another star player in the secondary. This year, Winfield is projected to sign a monster contract in free agency worth nearly $18 million per season.
The Vikings spending their money on a safety when the team has already struggled to find a place for their 2022 first-round pick and finding success with Josh Metellus and Cam Bynum would be a bit unnecessary, but the storylines would be exciting nonetheless.
Winfield would bring a ball-hawking mentality to Minnesota's defense that has been missing a bit over the past few years.
He is coming off a career year in which he forced six fumbles, intercepted three passes, and picked up 6.0 sacks. Winfield also recovered four fumbles and recorded a career-high 122 tackles.
The 25-year-old safety is going to have plenty of suitors when free agency opens, but a possible return to the state of Minnesota would be welcomed by plenty of Vikings fans. Their defense could use a big-time playmaker of this caliber.