Xavien Howard has intercepted a pass in four straight games, and those four picks are tied for the NFL lead. The veteran cornerback has rebounded from an injury-marred 2019.
Although the Dolphins are 3-3, they have received trade inquiries on their standout corner. At least two teams have called the Dolphins about Howard, Barry Jackson and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald report. While Howard would not mind being traded, according to the Herald, the Dolphins made the interesting move of sending out a statement they are not shopping him (Twitter link via Jackson).
Multiple other media outlets indicated the Dolphins were, in fact, entertaining offers for Howard. Considering the Dolphins are still in a rebuilding phase, having just given Tua Tagovailoa the reins, listening to proposals would make sense. The current regime, however, did extend Howard in April 2019. His $15MM-per-year deal runs through 2024. However, no guaranteed money remains on the contract after 2020. The Dolphins would take only a $4.1MM cap hit by trading the 27-year-old defender, who is due base salaries of $12.1MM and $12.4MM in 2021 and ’22. His 2023 and ’24 prices dip below $12MM, increasing potential trade value.
The Dolphins gave Byron Jones a then-cornerback-record contract in March and drafted Noah Igbinoghene in the first round a month later. The team has not been shy on dealing key players, with Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick being shipped out last year. No first-round pick would likely come Miami’s way in a Howard swap, though.
Howard, who missed 11 games last season, led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2018 and already has 16 picks in his four-plus-season career. In that span, only Titans safety Kevin Byard has more INTs.
The lions or 49ers for a 1
As a Lions fan, I would like to see Howard in Honolulu blue and silver. That being said, I doubt the Lions drop a 1st round pick for him.
Niners can’t afford him. At one point they had like 200k in cap space this year.
Dallas should be calling. I wonder if they wish they brought back Byron Jones now that they have Lamb. They didn’t need to pay Cooper.
Having three strong receivers is a sound approach. Paying big money to Jaylon Smith and Zeke were the unnecessary expenditures.
Agreed, Oof. The Cowboys have a top five at worst WR corps in the league, all of whom are versatile receivers. The defense-injuries-have been the real problem for them, not Amari Cooper.
No paying Zeke was unnecessary.
Dallas needs a quarterback not a defensive back!
Why does giving Tua the chance to start make it make sense to trade Howard?
Agreed. They’re phasin into contention mode the next couple of seasons, in a division that’s up for grabs, a period which is covered already by Howard’s contract. Keep him, play well, and see what you can do.
I’d listen but would only entertain offers that net us a first and more . I’d likely want 2first rders to move em or a first and two seconds . he’s young and doing very well. if a team paid a crap load and wowed me I’d trade em but that be the only way
Unless it’s a Tunsil type haul you walk away
The idea that they would trade him for less than a first round pick and more is downright silly. He may be the best CB in the league once he is completely healthy. There is no good reason to trade him unless you get a haul.
I mean what Gm wouldn’t at least listen to offered?
If they get an Tunsil type offer Fins should pounce without hesitation. Otherwise Howard and Jones, Noah and Nidham form an envious solid-to-great quartet of CB’s for years.
If you’re rebuilding; why trade a 27 yo in his prime, on a good contract, at a premium position?
If you could get back a second and a sixth or better I’d take it, if I were the dolphins. Even two third round picks would be solid for a CB that’s 27 (not on their timeline) and collecting good coin.
For a younger top 5 Corner on a great contract.
They’d need AT LEAST a 1st rounder.
If they aren’t getting a first or a 2nd and a 3rd, whats the point?