Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard will be available to sign, and the Indianapolis Colts should strongly consider bringing him aboard.
t has been reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo that the Miami Dolphins will release former four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard. This development means Howard will be a free agent at the beginning of the league year.
t has been reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo that the Miami Dolphins will release former four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard. This development means Howard will be a free agent at the beginning of the league year.
Garofolo posted on X: “The #Dolphins have informed CB Xavien Howard he will be released at the start of the league year, sources tell me and @PSchrags. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is expected to have significant interest on the market.”
With the Indianapolis Colts possessing a talented but inexperienced secondary, they must act to get Howard. Here are three reasons why the ink should hit the paper on a contract
An Inexperienced Secondary
The Colts boast a strong and established cornerback in veteran Kenny Moore II. Moore fell apart in 2022 but bounced back with a vengeance in 2023.
Moore was consistent, grabbing an efficient 95 tackles, three interceptions, eight tackles for loss, and two defensive touchdowns. He was also the leader in overall coverage grade (79.3) by a significant margin (Dallis Flowers; 70.6).
However, outside of Moore, this is an unproven, young corner room that could use Howard’s experience. Moore would likely also benefit from having another veteran like Howard. Corners JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Flowers would also have a high probability of following suit.
Not to say Brents, Jones, and Flowers didn’t show promise or potential, but they’re still young and need as much mentorship as possible to fast-track that development. Howard can help with this and provide more skill to the corner room for the Colts, who also have a depth issue outside the starters.
Howard was originally on a high-performance type of contract for a corner with the Dolphins. Before the news of Howard’s to-be release from Miami, he was on a five-year, $90 million deal. This equates to $18 million a year.
To put this into perspective, Howard’s current contract makes him the seventh highest-paid defensive back in the league by average annual salary ($18 million), according to SpoTrac. The high dollar amount put him almost identical to Jalen Ramsey at $18.33 million annually.
However, the Colts likely won’t need to pay this much. Indy currently ranks sixth in the NFL in available cap, with $79,250,395. Yes, the Colts have to address player re-signings like wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and defensive tackle Grover Stewart, but the secondary needs help.
I boldly predict that if signed by Indianapolis, Howard will receive a
two-year, $18 million deal ($9 million annually). It’s a sizeable drop-off from his previous contract, which will end with the Dolphins choosing to part ways with the veteran defender. A down 2023 season, mixed with the Dolphins figuring they didn’t need him anymore, makes him cheaper than a No.1 corner.
