Phin Phanatic
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5 teams that could trade for Miami Dolphins Xavien Howard

By Brian Miller

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 19: A general view of helmets worn by the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 19: A general view of helmets worn by the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Arizona Cardinals have been a popular team of late with some speculating that the Cardinals could jump into the mix should Howard become available.

One of the key members of the Cardinal/Howard speculation is the potential of including linebacker Chandler Jones. Jones is very familiar to Brian Flores having played under him in New England and while the thought is interesting, Miami can’t take the OLB straight up. He is entering his 10th NFL season and like Howard, wants a new deal. Unlike Howard, he is in the last year of his contract.

Jones will count $20.17 million against the Cardinals cap this year and if he were traded to Miami the Dolphins would have to work out a new deal to scrub that cap hit. The Cardinals have about $11 million in cap space right now and could package Jones and a 2nd round pick for Howard. The Cardinals have built a pretty tough defense but their secondary isn’t very good and could use a big upgrade like Howard.

The Cardinals are on the verge of becoming a very good football team but they need to fix their secondary and by adding Howard, they will have succeeded. If they can come up with the money to pay him, the Cardinals could take a big step towards changing the NFC West division.

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