Former All-Pro Dolphins player expected to sign a free agent contract with the Cowboys.
The Miami Dolphins dismissed All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard this offseason, enabling him to enter the market at the age of thirty. Howard, who participated in the fewest games of his career in 2023, is a veteran who might be useful for a squad that is in the running. Zack Cook of SportsGrid believes the Dallas Cowboys will sign Howard out of all the possible landing destinations.
Cook asks if Howard can be a lockdown corner again in 2024, which is a legitimate concern given that he allowed the greatest completion percentage of his career in seasons where he participated in more than five games.
The Miami Dolphins released Xavien Howard over the summer. Although Howard’s health was uncertain in 2023, we are aware of his abilities on the field. Is he going to be a lockdown corner in 2024, or did he lose his step? Although the talent remained, we are aware of the consequences that can arise when a defender trips and falls.
Why Howard Was Released by the Dolphins
Howard was cut by the Miami Dolphins to free up cap space. By designating Howard’s release as occurring after June 1, Releasing Howard avoided paying $18.5 million toward the salary cap.
Howard anticipated it would happen, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra reports.
“I anticipated that it would occur,” he remarked. You are aware of the workings of this business. You sense it. I’ve been here for eight years, and I’ve seen the business side of things a lot. Before we signed our most recent contract, my agent and I discussed this in detail, and that turned out to be the case. Not at all surprised, I was.
Kendall Fuller, a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs who most recently played for the Washington Commanders, has already been identified by the Dolphins as their successor.
The Dolphins also avoided financial loss on the deal since Fuller inked a $15 million, two-year contract.
Howard’s Plan to Assist the Cowboys
Despite his injury history with the Miami Dolphins, Howard is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was among the top three candidates for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. Two seasons after leading the league with seven interceptions, Howard led the league with ten interceptions in that 2020 campaign.
Howard has only racked up two interceptions in the last two seasons combined, so the Dallas Cowboys or any team that contracts him would be lucky to receive half of that.
The Cowboys can demonstrate their commitment by going for Howard, according to Matthew Lenix of Blogging The Boys.
Jerry Jones, the team’s owner, claims that things have changed a little in recent times. Despite yet another early playoff exit, Jones has maintained head coach Mike McCarthy, and the team is “all in” for the 2024 campaign. Well, they can demonstrate it by going for Xavien Howard, one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL.
Lenix adds that it’s unclear how long it will take Trevon Diggs to fully recover from his ACL injury.
“Next season, Trevon Diggs will rejoin the Cowboys, but it’s unclear how long it will take him to fully recover from his ACL tear.