Minnesota will have to cut some players or at least restructure contracts in order to fix its salary cap problem.
But after some of those players are cut and space is freed up, who should the Vikings go after?
I think among all the cornerbacks who are possible candidates to not return next year — Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander — Alexander is a guy the Vikings should prioritize as a player to re-sign.
The Vikings save $8.1 million on Rhodes’ contract with $4.8 million of dead money, according to Over The Cap. Rhodes is coming off a year where he had zero interceptions and just six pass deflections. If he wants to stay with Minnesota, it’s likely that he will have to restructure his contract.
Trae Waynes had a better year than Rhodes, getting one pick and breaking up eight passes. If the Vikings cap situation was better, maybe you bring a player like Waynes back, but he has just not looked consistent enough to the point where I would feel confident in re-signing him.
There is one corner who I think the Vikings should keep, and that’s Alexander. Alexander put up similar stats to Rhodes and Waynes, but started just four games. He had five pass deflections and an interception.
Waynes was targeted 96 times last season and Rhodes was targeted 81 times, according to Pro Football Reference. Alexander? He was targeted just 58 times and still had about the same stats as the other two. I should note that part of the reason Alexander played less than Rhodes and Waynes is because of an injury. But another factor is that he is the nickle corner for the team, so he’s not on the field as often as Rhodes or Waynes. Considering the level of playing time given to Rhodes and Waynes, Alexander had a better season.
Also something to consider: Pro Football Focus recently reported that Alexander was the only defensive back to play more than 500 snaps in 2019-20 and never miss a tackle.
Despite not being a mainstay starter, Alexander put together a consistent season. It’d be interesting to see him as one of the starting cornerbacks as opposed to just the nickel corner. I hope the Vikings bring him back.