Xavier Rhodes could have something left to offer Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals could look to the 10th-year pro to provide the veteran presence that the team lacks at cornerback.

Take one look at the cornerbacks who are listed on the Arizona Cardinals roster at the present time, and you’ll be far from impressed.

Sure, Byron Murphy Jr. has played well at times. However, other Cards corners like Marco Wilson, Josh Jackson, and Antonio Hamilton still have much to prove at the NFL level.

Fortunately for Arizona, there are several viable cover guys who are still looking for work. The general belief is that general manager Steve Keim will ultimately add a free agent to what is one of the Redbirds’ most-questionable positions.

One particular cornerback who is waiting for his phone to ring is Xavier Rhodes, a 10th-year pro who has spent time with both the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.

The 32-year-old appears to be a fantastic candidate for the one-year “prove-it” contract that Keim has utilized so effectively during his time with the Cardinals.

Xavier Rhodes’ nine years of NFL experience could benefit the Arizona Cardinals.

While Rhodes’ days as a number-one cover guy are most likely over, the experience he could offer the Cards secondary could be highly valuable. In the 13 appearances he made last season, Rhodes tallied 39 tackles, an interception, and seven passes defensed for the Colts.

The 6 foot 1, 210-pound Rhodes entered the league back in 2013 as a first-round draft pick of the Vikings. The Miami native starred at Florida State University, earning First-team All-ACC honors during his junior campaign in 2012.

Rhodes has enjoyed an outstanding professional career that includes three Pro Bowl invitations (2016-17, 2019) from his stint with Minnesota. His best performance was in ’16, when the veteran registered 52 tackles, five picks, and 11 pass breakups in 14 games for the Vikings.

It would be a massive risk for Arizona to tackle the 2022 schedule with their current allotment of cornerbacks. However, adding a seasoned player like Rhodes could make the squad and its fans feel a bit more secure.