Xavien Howard: Where does he rank in Miami Dolphins history?
By Brian Miller
![Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith (16) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 18, 2020. [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15120983-850x560-60f805486064730d4bee2c847cae7a42998edbefaba8c5966210a4312bc970fc.jpg "Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith (16) in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 18, 2020. [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]")
There is a lot of talk about how good or great or elite Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard is but where does he rank in Dolphins history?
If I am being honest, when I think off the top of my head, “the best CB’s in Dolphins history is…”, Xavien Howard does come to mind but only after Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain. But what about “X”? Where does he really fit into the Dolphins’ history?
Is Xavien Howard a lock for the Miami Dolphins “Honor Roll”? Not yet but eventually, yeah, there is no reason to think that he can’t be but we are talking a lot more than what he has produced so far and a couple of great seasons doesn’t make a ROH player.
Career interceptions
Let’s start with interceptions because that is the one statistic that we tend to focus the most on when it comes to Xavien Howard. Howard has 22 career interceptions and that is not good enough to rank on the NFL’s All-Time list but for the Dolphins, it puts him 7 interceptions shy of Patrick Surtain’s total which he shares with Glenn Blackwood who put up 29 total while with the Dolphins.
Sam Madison who some consider one of the best CBs in Dolphins history has 31 interceptions, nine more than Howard does now. The jump to the top for Howard isn’t very far off. Jake Scott holds the top spot with 35 and Dick Anderson has 34 but both were safeties, still, all within reach of Howard if he stays with the Dolphins and continues to play at a high level. It isn’t unrealistic to think that Howard could hold the lead in another two seasons.
Currently, Howard is tied with Tim Foley and Curtis Johnson at 22 which puts him tied at 10th.
Interceptions in a single season
In 1967, Dick Westmoreland set the previous high with 10. Xavien Howard tied that total in 2020. Seven players share 2nd place with 8 interceptions. Howard posted 7 in 2018.
Interceptions in a single game
The record for interceptions in a single game belongs to Dick Anderson who has four in 1973. Nine players have had 3 interception games. While Howard has never had a 3 INT game, he has 5 games with two interceptions.
Interception return yards
Howard has 200 yards in returns off picks. Terrell Buckley is his next target at 425 but Dick Anderson has 792.
Conclusion
Xavien Howard is in a position to become one of the top statistical leaders in Dolphins history in interceptions. He only has five seasons of football in his career and easily could play at a high level for another four years or more. The problem is his demands for a new contract and he may work himself out of Miami but if he does stay, he needs to stay healthy.
Howard could be in line for a place in the Dolphins Ring of Honor but he needs to remain with the Dolphins to get that honor. How this contract will play out is anyone’s guess at this time.