According to the NFL network analysis expert Cynthia Frelundnew Indianapolis Colts veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes he is projected to be the “most improved player” on his team Among the chosen candidates of each AFC team:
Xavier Rhodes
Indianapolis Colts · CB
Rhodes allowed a passer rating of 127.8 last season with the Vikings (third highest among corners, 50 minimum goals) and a completion percentage of 84.3 percent, which was the highest for any qualified corner, by PFF. Ok that was then. But now, As a foal, he has the potential to achieve more similar results to his 2016 and 2017 production (he was a professional bowler each season), which means at least above-average production in coverage and anti-career help.
The 6’1 “218-pound cornerback with long arms (33 3/4”) has had tremendous success in the past, as a former NFL All-Pro (2017) first-team player and 3x Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings notoriously stingy secondary.
He’s a great physical cornerback with those long arms that the Colts often covet:
“Everyone knows that I am great. I’m a big, physical guy, and I like to put guys on the scrimmage line, “Rhodes said in describing his style of play (through Colts.com) “And I’m not just a physicist, I’m pretty fast, so I’m eager to put myself in the guy’s face and slow down, alter the time between catcher and quarterback, and have the quarterback make difficult shots and difficult decisions. “
That said, Rhodes has struggled greatly the past two seasons.
Seeking a much-needed change of scenery, the 8-year veteran signed a 1-year, $ 3 million “prove it” deal with the Colts earlier this offseason.
The hope is that with a meeting at Indy with his former Minnesota defensive coaches like Jonathan Gannon and Alan Williams (where he was very successful in the north) and a change in the scheme change (playing more zone coverage with the Colts) so that Rhodes can regain his previous Pro Bowl form.
Now 30, it seems reasonable that the former closing cornerback may still have at least a handful of productive seasons left in the tank. He has that previous success, a first-round pedigree (such as the 25th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft) and plenty of veteran experience to take great advantage of during 2020.
Rhodes will undoubtedly be the Colts cornerback’s senior statesman, and is currently the favorite to win the starting job on the other side of the sophomore. Rock Ya-Sin—Although another sophomore cornerback, Marvell Tell, presents serious competition.
Rhodes only wants to ‘be himself’ in 2020, which could bring many improvements to both his game and the Colts’ entire defense this coming season:
“Just being me,” said Rhodes. “Believe in myself, believe in the coaches and believe in my teammates. Allowing me to be myself, so once I get there, like I said, Coach Gannon and Alan (Williams) know me better, and I think they will let me play my game and be physical and be who I am. “
Here we hope the projection is correct, and ‘Rhodes closed’ at the Indianapolis high school.
