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3 elite corners Colts can sign to replace Xavier Rhodes

By Jaleel Grandberry

Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes (27) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes (27) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore celebrates after an interception against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Since Xavier Rhodes has likely played his last snap with the Indianapolis Colts, the team must replace him in free agency.

When Xavier Rhodes joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, he exceeded expectations. Rhodes was able to avoid injury and offer Indy quality cornerback play.

This led to Indianapolis offering Rhodes another one-year deal for this past season. Unfortunately, the sequel wasn’t as good as the original.

Before the start of Rhodes’ second year with the Colts, he sustained a calf injury that limited his performance for the first half of the season. He eventually was able to get back to a productive level but finished the season with an injured hamstring.

Rhodes, who turns 32 this summer, will now enter free agency. Considering the injuries, his age, and declining play, Indy will likely let Rhodes walk in free agency.

However, Indianapolis will have the chance to upgrade at the corner position in the free agency market. Here are 3 elite corners the Colts can sign to replace Xavier Rhodes.

Colts can sign Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore will also be 32 at the start of next season, and he had his own injury, a torn quad, in 2020. However, he’s been able to maintain a quality level of play with his circumstances.

In 2019, Gilmore was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year. Since that point, he tore his quad, was traded from the New England Patriots to the Carolina Panthers, and will now enter free agency.

When Gilmore returned from his injury with the Panthers, he was on a snap count, but he still flashed his lockdown skillset, recording an interception in his first two games of the season.

https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1457424202965782528?s=21

Gilmore wasn’t quite as consistently elite as he once was and that could be because he was working back up to speed or he may just be on the decline. However, he still is an above-average corner that can help Indianapolis.

The issue may come down to negotiations. Gilmore may want to try and secure one last sizable contract and the Colts have to be wary of possibly overpaying based on what Gilmore once was.

If Indianapolis can get Gilmore on a reasonable deal, it definitely should and he’d help provide support in defending the passing.

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