What Happened to Xavier Rhodes?

Xavier Rhodes, despite being a free agent, is visiting with the Buffalo Bills to help fill a cornerback position that has been hit hard by injuries.

Rhodes has the size and athleticism necessary to play defensive end on the football field. At Florida State's pro day, he showed off his speed and strength that will make him an impressive presence at the next level.

Xavier Rhodes is a free agent

What happened to Xavier Rhodes is still somewhat of a puzzle. For years, he was expected to be one of Minnesota Vikings' starting cornerbacks, yet this offseason he found himself looking for another team as a free agent.

On Friday, the Indianapolis Colts signed veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes to a one-year contract. As an iconic figure for Indy, it made sense for them to bring him back as part of their rebuilding effort at that position.

It's worth noting that former Florida State Seminoles star has a great relationship with Colts head coach Frank Reich. This was likely due to their time playing against each other while on the team and their offseason workouts together.

Last week, Rhodes was released by the Vikings and is now free to join another team. As an experienced veteran who can fill in at cornerback, he can be an asset to any squad as a depth piece.

His value may be limited due to his age, but he still has plenty of football left in him and could be an invaluable asset for teams like the Arizona Cardinals or Dallas Cowboys - two teams desperate for quality depth at cornerback.

He's an experienced veteran with plenty of special teams experience, too. If he can maintain this high level in 2021, there should be no reason why he wouldn't receive a lucrative contract after the season.

Buffalo Bills fans may find Xavier Rhodes to be an ideal signing, as the team has struggled in recent years to find a quality cornerback. At present, three players are on their roster at that position--Jared Mayden included--so it should be easy for him to rotate with some of the younger players while providing cover on either side.

Xavier Rhodes is a veteran

At his peak, Xavier Rhodes was one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and was named to the first-team All-Pro team in 2017. Rhodes possess a wide array of skills that make him an invaluable asset to any team, while also striving constantly to better himself and his teammates.

Rhodes has extensive experience playing in a variety of defensive schemes, such as zone and man coverage. Additionally, he is adept at playing the slot position. A hard hitter, Rhodes can get his hands on a receiver before they have time to escape his range.

He is an impressive leader, too. He's known to be a motivating influence on younger players and has proven that he can serve as a mentor at the professional level.

His tenure with the Minnesota Vikings saw him record 10 interceptions and 73 pass breakups in 104 games. He was part of their 2017 Super Bowl victory and earned himself a spot on first-team All-Pro balloting for 2017.

After leaving the Vikings, Rhodes spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, recording a total of 92 passes defended. He made both Pro Bowls and finished in the top half of AP Defensive Player of the Year voting each season.

As a free agent, Rhodes signed with the Buffalo Bills and played in two games this season for them.

On Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Bills will host Rhodes for a visit. It appears they are looking to add depth in their secondary and this could be an advantageous move for them.

Though injured, he is an experienced cornerback and can play some special teams. Additionally, his vast knowledge of football helps you get the most out of your secondary players.

He was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Vikings and an incredibly talented player. With all of this year's injuries already, he will be an invaluable asset to the Buffalo Bills' defense this season.

Xavier Rhodes is a backup

Recently, the Buffalo Bills have experienced an uptick in injuries at cornerback and have added veteran Xavier Rhodes to their practice squad as a means of improving depth at this position.

According to NFL.com, the team has placed Rhodes on the practice squad injured list and he's expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks with a hamstring injury. This is unfortunate news for the veteran who was once considered an addition to the Bills' roster but now may be out for good due to this setback.

In the past, Rhodes has suffered injuries that have hindered his career and prevented him from making an impact on the field. He's missed plays or series due to minor nicks and bruises, including this year.

Last week, Rhodes said he was content to remain in Indianapolis after signing a one-year deal with the Colts. On Wednesday morning, TMZ Sports repeated that sentiment, noting that Indianapolis has Super Bowl potential and he wants to be part of that team.

Rhodes, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, spent the first seven seasons of his career with Minnesota where he started all but two of his games at cornerback. In 2017, Rhodes had a career high number of interceptions and defended an equal number of passes.

Rhodes may not be as gifted as his brother Josh, but he showed promise in 2017 and could make an excellent backup for the Vikings. To stay with the team beyond 2020 however, Rhodes must perform at a high level.

As the 2020 season draws near, Rhodes must prove that his groin injury hasn't hindered him from being an impact cornerback. A healthy Rhodes could be the difference between a championship team and an average one.

Rhodes was an impressive star during his college career at Florida State, leading the Seminoles in pass breakups and interceptions during his junior season. He finished with 39 tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and his career-high interception which proved crucial in winning the ACC Championship Game against Georgia Tech.

Xavier Rhodes is a starter

At his peak, Rhodes made a lot of plays for his team. As one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded an impressive number of tackles, interceptions and pass breakups - so much so that in 2017 he earned himself a First-Team All-Pro selection with 56 tackles and 10 passes defended!

After seven seasons with Minnesota, Rhodes was released by the Vikings and went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts. Last season he appeared in 13 games for them and recorded 39 tackles, seven passes defended, and one interception.

In 2018, he was an integral factor in the Colts finishing 11th overall in total defense and sixth in scoring. A leader on the field and mentor to younger players within their defensive system, he provided valuable experience and guidance.

It's likely the Colts will want to retain Rhodes next season, but it won't come cheaply. That's because he won't be the same player he was when he was a starter.

In 2018, Rhodes played with an injury-free mind and made many plays for his team. The only time he missed a start was during the playoffs against the New Orleans Saints, yet even then he still recorded five tackles and two pass breakups.

He was an impressive player for the Colts, and this led to him being rewarded with a contract offer worth at least $5.9 million in 2019. This is an excellent deal for both Rhodes and his new team as he brings plenty of talent and experience to the table.

Following his stint with the Colts, Rhodes joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad as a reserve and appeared in two games before being waived last week. With an increased need at cornerback, Rhodes is an ideal addition to this club.

Rhodes, a Miami native, played at Florida State University for three years and earned All-ACC recognition as a redshirt sophomore. As the starting boundary cornerback in his rookie season, he recorded 12 pass breakups and four interceptions - including one key pick against Boston College in an important Atlantic Division win. Additionally, Rhodes was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned consensus freshman All-American accolades.