According to Twitter users Mike Garafolo and Peter Schrager, the Miami Dolphins told cornerback Xavien Howard on Friday that he would be dismissed at the start of the league year.
It may appear to be an unexpected move given Howard’s background, but it was required for the Dolphins, who will struggle to stay under the substantially higher cap restriction for 2024.
Howard, at 30 years old and entering his ninth professional season, is coming off a subpar year by his standards, but he is a four-time Pro Bowler and will get a lot of attention throughout the league.
One of those clubs may be the Detroit Lions, who should be looking for a cornerback this offseason after a string of injuries and poor performance from their outside corners in 2023.
Today’s Question of the Day:
Should the Lions consider signing Xavien Howard?
My response: Only if the price is appropriate.
When you observe a top player at his position getting older and regressing, it’s cause for concern. Even at his worst, Howard would be a significant improvement over what the Lions presently have at outside cornerback.
Howard has not been the playmaker he once was. He had only two interceptions in the last two years, compared to 27 in his previous seven seasons in the league. However, he’s done an excellent job of getting his hands on the football, recording 12 or more pass deflections in four consecutive seasons.
I like the notion of the Lions pursuing a veteran like Howard and then double dipping in the NFL Draft to develop a young cornerback behind him. The money just needs to make sense.
Let us hear from you. Please share your ideas in the comments below.
