Why the Vikings should not trade Rhodes:
An easy argument to make against the Vikings trading Xavier Rhodes this year is that his performance in 2018 seemed a bit out of the norm. Rhodes has been Minnesota’s top corner for the past few seasons and he has proved time and time again that he can hang with the absolute best receivers in the NFL.
His play last year could even result in him coming out in 2019 and having another All-Pro season. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer appears to be motivated to get Rhodes back on track and he’s a guy that should be able to help the veteran corner rediscover the high-level of play he displayed out on the field in 2016 and 2017.
Who exactly would step in as Minnesota’s No. 1 cornerback next season too if the team decides to trade Rhodes before Week 1?
Trae Waynes had the best season of his career in 2018. But does that mean he is ready to step up and cover opposing receivers like Antonio Brown, Davante Adams, Julio Jones, and Tyreek Hill next season?
Mike Hughes is coming off a torn ACL and there is really no guarantee that he will be healthy enough for Week 1 in 2019. Holton Hill played well for a rookie last season, but most of his time was also spent covering the opposing team’s third or fourth receivers.
Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are also entering the final years of their their contracts in 2019 and it’s possible that both could end up signing elsewhere in 2020. So if the Vikings trade Rhodes this year and then Waynes and Alexander both leave next offseason, Minnesota’s defensive backfield would likely be in shambles.
As much as people like to react quickly to every situation these days, the future is something that has to be thought about when it comes to the Vikings trading Rhodes this year. Minnesota sending away their top corner this offseason would not be a smart decision when two more of their talented cornerbacks could also be on their way out the door in 2020.