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Xavier Rhodes Working with the NFL’s Best this Offseason

By Paul Bellesen

Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) is unable to catch a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. The Vikings won 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) is unable to catch a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. The Vikings won 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the offseason, Xavier Rhodes has been putting in the work with the league’s top competition.

For the last three seasons, Xavier Rhodes has been at the top of the Minnesota Vikings depth chart for the cornerback position. Rhodes is on his way to becoming an elite cornerback in the NFL. He is lined up across from every opposing team’s top wide receiver on Sundays.

After being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have had high expectations for Rhodes. Rhodes attended high school at Miami Norland High about twenty miles south of downtown Miami. This school was also the home for another elite NFL player, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Both Rhodes and Brown workout in Miami in the offseason. Both hailing from the same high school, although in different years, these two NFL players have forged a bond. Over the offseason, players work to stay in shape and ready to work when their team’s organized team activities and mini-camps start.

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This offseason, Rhodes was working with an all-star cast of receivers in Miami. These players included the aforementioned Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Laundry. Geno Smith was their quarterback. These players come together twice a week to work on one on one drills, and footwork.

Rhodes had this to say about his offseason work in Miami.

"You’re going against the best. Those guys are labeled as some of the best in the league. So going against those guys, getting that work off the field, there’s no choice other than to get better"

Earlier this offseason, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman picked up Rhodes’ fifth-year option, maintaining control over his contract through 2017. This season is a contract year for Rhodes as he will be working to get a long term deal.

Mike Zimmer likes the work that Rhodes has put in this offseason. He had this to say when asked about Rhodes.

"Sometimes with Xavier in the past, like when we’d come in for the offseason, it would be starting over again. This year it’s not like that. We didn’t have to go back and redo everything. Some of the more intricate things he was able to continue to do while he’s been here.I think he can be a really good cornerback. He’s obviously got great length. He can run. He can turn his hips good. He’s physical. Sometimes Xavier’s his own worst enemy and he’ll get down on himself a little bit. I think he feels confident in what he’s done this spring. I think he’s improved a lot in his off coverage this spring. We will get back to working on bump-and-run when we get back."

Next: Minnesota Vikings: Observations from Team OTAs

It looks as if Xavier Rhodes is putting in the extra work this offseason. Going against the NFL’s best receivers like Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr can do nothing but help him stay sharp coming into the Vikings mini-camp that starts today. Hopefully staying sharp this offseason, he will be ready to contribute Week 1, instead of having a slow start like last season.

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