The Indianapolis Colts are taking a flier on veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes, but it doesn’t seem like they will be paying all that much for the former All-Pro.
As details emerge on the contract for the 29-year-old, he will be carrying a salary cap hit of $3.25 million, which is lower than the expected $5 million that was initially reported. Here’s a breakdown of the one-year deal from Joel A. Erickson of Indy Star:
The Colts spent a ton of money to begin free agency. They re-signed Anthony Castonzo to a two-year deal, the trade for DeForest Buckner was followed up immediately by a massive four-year extension and then they signed quarterback Philip Rivers to a $25 million deal.
They saved some money cutting Pierre Desir, roughly $7 million, and made some smaller signings like Rhodes and defensive tackle Sheldon Day.
Rhodes is expected to be competing for a starting job on the boundary. The draft will clear up the depth chart better depending on how heavily the Colts invest at the cornerback position, but they’re hoping he can bounce back from a down season.
Working in a zone-heavy scheme with his eyes in the backfield should help while is physicality against the run makes him a solid fit for the system.
The Colts have a few weeks until the NFL draft, but Rhodes will be hoping to step up on his one-year deal, which wound up coming pretty cheap.
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