KC Chiefs: Xavier Rhodes could add depth to Chiefs secondary
By Chris Clark
The KC Chiefs will have some work to do to add depth to the cornerback position. With limited space in the salary cap, Xavier Rhodes is worth a look.
There’s no question that the Kansas City Chiefs are in need of cornerback help heading into 2020. Only two cornerbacks who played meaningful snaps in 2019 – Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton – are set be left on the roster when the new league year begins.
While they may work to retain guys like Bashaud Breeland or Kendall Fuller, it’s likely that those guys may look for bigger contracts outside of Kansas City. This year’s draft for the Chiefs will likely highlight the cornerback position.
Kansas City certainly prioritized meeting with cornerbacks at this year’s NFL combine, interviewing at least seven different players at the position. While it’s great that the team is prioritizing the future of the position, they’ll likely need to bring in some veteran leadership to help bridge the gap.
Even with the two guys still left on the roster headed into 2020, one will only be headed into his third year and the other his second year. Needless to say, an older and experienced cornerback could help with a new crop of rookies.
One of those such players could be now ex-Minnesota Viking cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The news came just this past week that the Vikings were releasing the 29-year-old veteran and former first-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Rhodes wasn’t unlikely to remain in Minnesota for two reasons. First, the team is in dire need of making room in the salary cap heading forward and second, Rhodes hasn’t performed really well in these last few years.
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That decline might be the reason for Chiefs fans to hesitate to want to bring in the seven-year veteran, and rightfully so. No team or their fans really want to bring in a washed-up former All-Pro if he isn’t going to bring value to the roster.
After seven seasons with Minnesota, could Rhodes just need a new home to help revive his career? He certainly had a good run there under a tough, defensive-minded head coach in Mike Zimmer, but the Chiefs’ Steve Spagnuola may find a different or unique way to utilize him.
After an All-Pro 2017 season, Rhodes seems to have been on a downward trend in the last couple of seasons. While he may have struggled more against the pass, Rhodes is a big and physical corner at 6’1″, 218 pounds and continues to be a good tackler.
While Kansas City’s defense improved in 2019, there were moments were fundamental tackling still seemed to be an issue. The addition of a player like him could really be a benefit for that reason alone.
One unfortunate part of bringing Rhodes in is simply his age. He’ll be 30 years old before the season starts, which is usually a place where players can start to decline.
This might give Kansas City the chance to bring him in on a cheaper, short-term deal and see what they can get out of him in the twilight of his career. With how good Spagnuolo is at scheming, it’s a possibility that Rhodes could transition to be more of a safety and less of a cornerback.
Fortunately, with what Kansas City has going as a Super Bowl winner and potential repeat winner, landing on the roster becomes a more desirable prospect. This could be a draw for Rhodes, who could simply be looking to win it all before his career comes to a close.
So, the potential to mentor a younger generation of cornerbacks and potentially get a Super Bowl ring would hopefully entice him to come in and be a part of something special. Here’s to hoping that that might be the impetus to rejuvenate his career and to do it in a KC Chiefs’ uniform.