The veteran cornerback’s name has come up in trade rumors this offseason. But is this a move the Minnesota Vikings should consider making?
Despite the fact that Xavier Rhodes has only been in the NFL for six years, he is actually one of the longest tenured members of the Minnesota Vikings. Everson Griffen, Kyle Rudolph, and Harrison Smith are the only players on the team’s current roster that have been with the Vikings for a larger amount of time than Rhodes.
Drafted in the first round by Minnesota in 2013 when Leslie Frazier was the team’s head coach, the 28-year-old has developed into one of the top corners in the league today. Especially during the last few years when he has had the opportunity to learn from one of the top defensive minds in the game in current Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.
During the last three seasons, Rhodes has been voted to a pair of Pro Bowls and he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro in 2017.
Many figured he would continue to take steps forward and further develop in 2018. However, Rhodes had a bit of an odd year last season and his level of play wasn’t exactly the same as what he had put out on the field in 2016 and 2017.
With Minnesota in need of cap space this offseason and the veteran corner owed more than $10 million in 2019, his name has come up a few times in trade rumors this year.
It doesn’t sound like the Vikings have been the ones actively calling around and trying to trade Rhodes this offseason though as it has only been reported that other teams around the league are who has initiated contact with Minnesota about possibly acquiring the corner.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport recently reported that the Vikings don’t appear to be interested in any trade offers for Rhodes this year. But is this actually something Minnesota should consider?
Would the Vikings be better off keeping Rhodes on their 2019 roster or should the team attempt to trade their top corner and get some legit compensation while his value is still at a relatively high level?