Xavier Rhodes – CB
Xavier Rhodes did not have a great season in 2018. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed the highest completion percentage of 65.2 in his career last year.
His Approximate Value from Pro Football Reference (five) was the lowest mark since he became a full-time starter in 2014 and his seven passes defended were the lowest single-season total of his career. This may account in part for opposing quarterbacks’ passer rating increasing from 73.0 in 2017 to 83.3 last season.
Rhodes needs to play better in 2019 and Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stated this very plainly in a media session at this year’s NFL Owners meetings.
Rhodes’ salary cap hit for 2019 is $13.3 million. Only defensive end Danielle Hunter ($13.5 million) and quarterback Kirk Cousins ($29 million) will figure more against the salary cap for Minnesota next season.
Cornerback will be an area of concern for the Vikings, especially if Rhodes doesn’t elevate his play. Currently, the Vikings have 10 cornerbacks on the roster, the second most of any position (wide receivers, another area of concern leads the way with 11).
Of the 10 cornerbacks, Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander bring the most experience. The remaining seven are second-year players or rookies with a combined total of 25 games of experience.
The reserves include Holton Hill who is suspended for the first four games of the season and last year’s first-round draft pick Mike Hughes, who looked good for six games until a knee injury cut his season short.
With so much riding on this season and a precarious depth chart at cornerback, the Vikings really need #RhodesClosed to be trending on Twitter once more, for him to make a U-turn in performance, and play like he did in 2016 when he led the team with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups.