FanPost

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Xavier Rhodes vs Northern Illinois (Bowl Game - 2013) (via Adrian Ahufinger)

Xavier Rhodes vs WF and Clemson 2012 (via JmpasqDraftjedi)

Xavier Rhodes vs USF & Miami (2012) (via Aaron Aloysius)

6-2, 217

2010 stats: 48 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 12 PD, 4 INT

2011 stats: 36 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 4 PD, 1 INT

2012 stats: 27 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 7 PD, 3 INT, 1 FF

This is my favorite cornerback in this class, Xavier Rhodes from FSU. Guy has the look of an impact player: 6-2, 217 pound frame with nice long arms. He has good fluidity and gets physical with receivers. He has a great jab move in press coverage and mirrors his matchup pretty well. According to secondroundstats.com, Rhodes was targeted on 14.5% of all passes against FSU, and 6.9% of all passes against FSU were completed on Rhodes.

Now, you may be asking: J, why are you profiling a potential first round cornerback? You realize we have Revis, Cromartie, and Kyle Wilson, among others. And yes, I do realize CB is our strongest position. But a few reasons why Rhodes intrigues me. First, yes, is the potential that we trade Revis or Cromartie. Kyle Wilson is a nice player but I'm willing to wager that a nickelback plays about 40-60% of the snaps in our defense, so you need plenty of good corners. If Revis or Cro are moved, we will need a good replacement. But secondly, and more importantly, I think Rhodes is a prime candidate for a position switch to FS. Despite his strength in press coverage, Rhodes is very good at playing with the play in front of him. But the fact that he can play press coverage is what's enticing- he's a guy that can be pretty versatile with a creative defensive coordinator, as having Rhodes at FS means you can match up against 3 WR in the base package, or he could drop down and cover a TE man to man. He has safety size at 6-2 217. Plus, he's not extremely fast or quick-twitch, with roughly a 4.55 40 yard dash time. This may mean that he could struggle with the fast roadrunners that play WR in the NFL... but he has plenty enough speed to play safety. On tape he does seem not to be the most physical when taking on the running back, but I do think that can be developed. Rhodes looks like he can comfortably carry 220-225 pounds on his frame. He's also an experienced, 3 year starter on a very good D. It may take some time, but I believe Rhodes may one day develop into a great safety. Right now, he looks like a late 1st/early 2nd round guy, and would be on my list if he falls to our pick in the 2nd.

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