Former first-team All-Pro cornerback Xavier Rhodes has signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Rhodes signed a one-year contract with the Colts prior to the 2020 season after being cut by his long-time team, the Minnesota Vikings, last March. He finished last season with 42 total tackles, two interceptions, and an 84.5 passer rating allowed. Rhodes has the ninth-most pass defenses in the NFL since being drafted in 2013.
Source: Xavier Rhodes back to the #Colts on a 1-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2021
Xavier Rhodes Signs Deal With Indianapolis Colts
Rhodes was drafted by the Vikings with the 25th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and first-team All-ACC in his final year at Florida State. His success carried over into the NFL as Rhodes started six of 13 games as a rookie and added 10 pass defenses and a forced fumble.
The cornerback’s best years came in 2016 and 2017. Rhodes finished 2016 recording career highs in interceptions with five, including a 100-yard interception Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals. It was the longest interception return of the year. He was named to his first Pro Bowl at years end. His next season in 2017 was a great follow-up as Rhodes firmly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL that year. That season, Rhodes recorded a career-high overall grade per Pro Football Focus as a Viking at 74.7. He was simultaneously named to his second Pro Bowl and made first All-Pro. Perhaps his most important feat of the year was holding Julio Jones to the least receptions and receiving yards of his season — two catches for 24 yards.
Rhodes followed up his stellar 2017 season with two muddled years in Minnesota. He was eventually cut following the 2019 season but had a resurgence of sorts in 2020. After totaling career lows in pass defenses, interceptions, and overall grade per PFF in 2019, Rhodes signed on with the Colts. He recorded double-digit pass defenses and multiple interceptions for the first time since 2017. Rhodes also recorded his lowest passer rating against and most snaps played since 2017 as well. He will turn 31 years old this coming June.
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