The folks over at ESPN put together potential trade options for each team as we approach the trade deadline at the end of the month.
Courtney Cronin, who does a great job covering the Vikings for ESPN, picked cornerback Xavier Rhodes for a Minnesota trade option, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
Here’s what Cronin wrote about Rhodes:
The “Rhodes Closed” version of the two-time Pro Bowler hasn’t shown up in a while. It’s difficult to look at Rhodes as the top corner he was two years ago with his up-and-down play and streak of penalties (five in six games) that have followed him from last season. He isn’t always tasked with shadowing opponents’ No. 1 receivers, either, as coach Mike Zimmer confirmed, which could allude to Rhodes winding down from where he was at his peak.
Rhodes has fallen off quite a bit from his peak form in 2017. Per Pro Football Focus, he has a career-worst player grade of 52.6, a mark that ranks 87th out of 109 cornerbacks.
It would probably be a surprise if Rhodes didn’t have his contract restructured next season. Rhodes is due $10.5 million in 2020 with $4.8 million in dead cap.
