Miami Dolphins: 5 creative trade scenarios with Xavien Howard
By Jeremy Klump
![MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1174853752-850x560-805bad0f84c33862d754514e6047a604f7520f245c8a96e621aa5cbd974b4183.jpg)
4. Miami trades cornerback Xavien Howard to the New Orleans Saints for a 2022 1st round pick and center Will Clapp
This trade will be the one that fans likely hate the most, mainly because it is the least sexy of them all. However, this is a really intriguing trade for both sides for a few reasons. Let’s start with the New Orleans Saints.
Yes, they have a bad salary cap situation, but sooner or later, people will start to realize the salary cap is so easy to manipulate, which is why the Saints were just able to extend their right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. The Saints would be able to make the money work for Howard, and adding him to their secondary would be incredible. After losing Janoris Jenkins, Howard and Marshon Lattimore would give them an elite tandem, with the superstar in the making Chauncey Garnder-Johnson in the mix. Pair them with Malcolm Jenkins, and you see how special this secondary would be.
For Miami, they would get that first-round pick so many people are looking for. Along with the first-round pick, they get versatile offensive lineman Will Clapp. The former LSU Tiger was taken with the 245th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Saints. Clapp has played center and guard in the NFL, so Miami would love his versatility.
I think Clapp would be a perfect fit as the backup center in 2021, and then Miami could hope that he becomes their starting center in 2022. Clapp isn’t a flashy player, but he is reliable and a guy Miami fans could trust.