Potential replacement for Rhodes
Speaking of Xavier Rhodes, he’s certainly not coming off the best season of his career since he joined the Vikings in 2013. With Minnesota last year, Rhodes struggled to maintain the same level of play he displayed in 2017 when he was a First-Team All-Pro selection.
In addition to missing two games and not finishing a few others, the Vikings corner let his coverage haul in 65.2 percent of their targets last season. That’s the highest single-season percentage Rhodes has ever given up during his entire NFL career.
Currently, Minnesota is waiting to see if their top corner just had an off year in 2018 or if his performance last season is just the beginning of his downfall. Even if is able to recover and get back to playing at an above-average level this year, Rhodes is likely approaching the back end of his career.
Sooner or later, the Vikings will need to find a replacement for him and Jalen Ramsey would be the perfect guy to take over Rhodes’ role in the defense. Not only is Ramsey more talented than Rhodes, but the current Jaguars corner is also five years younger.
Trading for Ramsey would allow Minnesota’s pass defense to continue being among the best in the league whenever Rhodes’ tenure with the team comes to an end.