Xavier Rhodes intriguing for Denver
Fourth in a series wanting at players who could be focused by the Broncos when absolutely free agent negotiating window opens March 15.
Immediately after a vocation calendar year with the Vikings in 2017 that observed Xavier Rhodes make initially-crew All-Pro honors, the cornerback’s perform deteriorated about the upcoming pair seasons in Minnesota.
Rhodes bought regularly torched to the tune of an eighty one.5% completion proportion in 2019, and he was produced last March. Immediately after signing a a person-calendar year, $3.25 million deal with the Colts, Rhodes allowed a completion proportion of fifty one.nine%, an huge enhancement from 2019 and the next-most affordable mark of his vocation behind 2017.
So the Colts are offered on Rhodes. Now, it’s just a issue of funds. Spotrac initiatives the corner could command a two-calendar year, $14.seven million deal, however Rhodes will probably desire much more based on the cornerback current market.
“Xavier had a heck of a calendar year,” Colts GM Chris Ballard told reporters at the finish of the calendar year. “He labored and bought into anything we’re doing. We’ll wait and see how it works out listed here in absolutely free agency, but we like Xavier.”
Rhodes commenced all sixteen online games for the Colts last calendar year, with two interceptions in a person sport (a person of which was a choose-6) and 12 passes defensed.
A absolutely free agent all over again, Rhodes is an intriguing prospect for the Broncos, who previously produced A.J. Bouye this offseason. As Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey proceed to enhance in their next seasons, Rhodes could be the veteran addition the Denver cornerback corps requires. And, new common supervisor George Paton is undoubtedly familiar with Rhodes from his time as the Vikings’ vice president of participant personnel/assistant common supervisor.
Rhodes File
Practical experience: Rhodes was the Vikings’ initially-spherical choose (No. 25 in general) out of Florida Condition in 2013. As a rookie he observed action in 13 online games, starting 6, in advance of becoming a total-time starter in his next period.
Rhodes commenced all but 5 online games for the Vikings from 2014-19, emerging as a person of the finest cornerbacks in the league in the course of the entrance finish of that time frame. In his vocation he has 12 interceptions and two touchdowns, and has recorded at the very least a person choose in 6 seasons.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Rhodes was the Colts’ finest go over corner last calendar year.
Case For: The Bouye trade did not pan out, as his period was marred by accidents (shoulder, concussion) as effectively as a period-ending suspension for overall performance boosting medication. With Bryce Callahan as the most expert returner at cornerback, Denver could use an additional veteran presence to direct the unit’s promising youthful players (Ojemudia, Bassey, an additional cornerback via the 2021 draft). Rhodes’ perform in 2020 could mean his dips in 2018 and 2019 ended up an aberration.
Case From: Or, those people dips could be a indicator Rhodes is much from the All-Pro cornerback he once was, and the Broncos are unlikely to indicator a participant who matches the sturdy overall performance he showed with the Colts. Rhodes will be 31 when the period begins, and an ageing corner may not be the finest reply when the Broncos have a No. nine choose they could use on a dynamic rookie at that situation as a substitute.
Tape Assessment (Colts vs. Bengals, Week six 2020): In a win about Cincinnati, Rhodes had a period-superior three go split-ups. Rhodes demonstrated spectacular closing speed in a person go split-up as he streaked across the subject with Mike Thomas in coverage. Later in the sport, he had very good timing closing on a route to split up Joe Burrow’s third-down go for A.J. Green. In the third quarter, Rhodes arrived up and caught his helmet in on a attract perform, demonstrating he can nevertheless perform the run. In the fourth quarter, Rhodes shut down Green all over again with actual physical coverage on a deep in-breaking route.
Remaining Acquire: Rhodes could nevertheless have anything remaining in the tank and could quite effectively be a crucial defensive component if he ends up in Denver. But the cost could not justify that, especially if Denver is possessing to compete with provides from other teams inclined to go in the selection of a $ten million yearly income.
