Rhodes was already and excellent cover safety when he came out of Louisville but who lacked physicality, did not take on blockers well and his tackling skills needed work.  He has improved in these areas and now uses his hands much better when taking on blockers and is more consistent at wrapping up when he tackles.

Rhodes has put in extra time in the film room and on the practice field and it has paid off.  His reads are much better and he has developed into a solid blitzer.  He makes big plays at critical junctures and has been very productive.

Rhodes averages 91 tackles, 3.3 interceptions, 2.7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed per year.  That’s impressive!  The fact that he has not been elected to the Pro Bowl yet is something he must persevere through and eventually he will get his shot.

NFL players are often selected to the Pro Bowl on reputation.  Rhodes has lost out to players like John Lynch who was excellent in his day but is now at the end of his career.  It is only a matter of time before Rhodes gets the recognition he deserves.

Erik Coleman was a disappointment last season.  He is an instinctive player and a solid tackler but he gave up too many plays in coverage and was taking bad angles to the ball.  He lost his starting job to Abram Elam after the Eagles game and never regained it.  Coleman was eventually cut and signed by the Falcons.

Elam stepped in as the starting strong safety and played well.  He is physical, fills hard against the run and brings some ruggedness to the Jet’s secondary.  While his cover skills need work, he showed signs of improvement in this area and has a chance solidify himself as a real enforcer in the Jet’s deep patrol.

Eric Smith has been an average safety who plays mostly in nickel and dime packages.  He is good in run support and has adequate cover skills in short-intermediate zones but is challenged in covering the deep part of the field.  He is a good special teamer but will probably never be a starting safety.