Cowboys sign three-time Pro Bowler to boost secondary

The Dallas Cowboys secondary depth issues have been well-documented, but they may now have a potential solution in veteran CB Xavier Rhodes.

While Xavier Rhodes is far from the player he once was, the former Minnesota Vikings standout made the Pro Bowl as recently as 2019. Since then, he’s taken a rather major step back in journeyman stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills.

With injuries to depth corners Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis, Dallas had to turn somewhere, and instead of relying on more youth behind Trevon Diggs and fifth-round rookie DaRon Bland, they’ve opted for some veteran stability in Rhodes.

Rhodes is expected to begin on the Cowboys practice squad to learn the ropes, before eventually jumping to the 53-man roster, should everything go according to plan.

Xavier Rhodes provides Cowboys with much-needed depth

It’s a lot to ask of even a veteran like Rhodes to get up to date with the playbook in time for the postseason, but it’s worth a shot at a depth position. Rhodes would likely slide in as the No. 4 cornerback behind the likes of Diggs, Bland and Nahshon Wright.

Rhodes is far from the player he once was, but the last time he got consistent playing time in Indianapolis, he was passable, allowing a 56.9 percent completion rate, and a 85.6 passer rating when targeted. Those numbers — while not good enough for a top cornerback — are certainly enough to warrant some playing time in the dime package and third-down passing situations.

Dallas has an elite offense and a defense that thrives on creating takeaways. In that sort of system, almost anyone can succeed, especially a player like Rhodes who has experience on teams that have achieved both regular season and postseason success.

This was an easy decision for the Cowboys, and not one fans should overthink.