The Minnesota Vikings unfortunately encountered a miserable 2018-19 campaign just one year after almost reaching the Super Bowl in Minneapolis. With former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins hopping on board ahead of the 2018-19 season, most of the focus has remained on the Vikings' offense, a unit that did not fair well as a whole this past season.
However, it appears as though this offseason could revolve around the defense, another unit that underperformed in 2018-19. According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, the Vikings could consider trading cornerback Xavier Rhodes this offseason.
“The Vikings trade cornerback Xavier Rhodes,” writes Cronin. “Mike Zimmer would likely fight tooth and nail against losing one of his star defensive players. But Minnesota's best chance at bolstering its weakest link — the offensive line — might come from cutting into an area where the Vikings are OK depthwise and have valuable trade leverage. Coming off the most difficult season of his career, Rhodes will turn 29 ahead of the 2019 campaign and account for $13.4 million against the salary cap. Minnesota's crop of cornerback talent is in a good spot with Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes (who is coming off an ACL injury) and the early rise of undrafted free agent Holton Hill. Trading Rhodes now, knowing they're in a good spot with their rest of their corners, could provide the Vikings with an option to garner more talent for the O-line.”
If the Vikings do part ways with Rhodes, they will be moving on from quite the player. However, Rhodes would also garner quite a haul in return, making such a decision worthwhile.
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