Miami Dolphins fans love to look at the glass half full, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes it is okay to admit the glass is half empty, and for the Dolphins, the Xavien Howard situation would be one of those glass half empty times.
Before I go any further, let me just say that I would not trade Howard. I would somehow, someway, figure out how to give him another deal that makes both sides happy. Yes, he recently signed a contract, but the guy went out there and had 10 interceptions. If Howard did not play as well as he did last season, Miami would not have been sniffing the playoffs.
However, I do not make the decisions for the Dolphins, and sometimes the business side of things can get in the way. That is what is happening here, as clearly, the business side of things has caused a rift between Howard and Miami.
This is where the overly optimistic Dolphins fans will tell me I am just trying to stir the pot and that all is well in Miami. Well, you can believe what you want, but from my understanding, that is not the case.
Miami has had the entire offseason to figure this all out with Howard. This is not some new request by him, and it was known for a long time that he wanted more money after his dominant season.
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Howard skipping minicamp and knowing that he is unhappy is not a good sign for things to come. Miami has shown in the past that they will trade disgruntled players, even if they are great players. You can call the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade an isolated situation, but I could see the Howard situation ending just as badly, with yet another Miami star being traded.
Luckily for Dolphins fans, if Howard is traded, I genuinely think 2020 first-round pick cornerback Noah Igbinoghene will take a considerable jump in his second season. Igbinoghene is young and raw, but the sky is the limit for him.
Again, I would not trade Howard, but I have five creative trades centered around Howard being shipped out of Miami if Miami does decide to move on. Lastly, I said creative because I do not believe Miami will trade Howard for a first-round pick straight up.
1. Miami trades cornerback Xavien Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for the Indianapolis Colts 2022 2nd round pick that could be a 2022 1st and defensive end Derek Barnett
I put this deal as No. 1 because I feel it is the most likely deal to happen. This deal makes a ton of sense for the Eagles. Pairing Xavien Howard with Darius Slay would easily give the Eagles one of the top cornerback tandems in the NFL.
Philly fans could finally breathe easy as their No. 2 cornerback spot would be filled. That has been one of the biggest holes on their roster for a very long time. Then there is the pick they give up, the pick they received for former quarterback Carson Wentz.
It is a second-round pick that could turn into a first, depending on how much Wentz plays in 2021. Personally, I think the Eagles are fools for moving on from Wentz, and he will most certainly be in the Comeback Player of the Year running and is a dark horse MVP candidate in my eyes. However, the Eagles could get the closure on one of the weirdest ends to an era and not have to think about Wentz anymore.
Miami would get a first-round pick because Wentz is going to dominate in Indy, and they would get an interesting player from the Eagles, defensive end Derek Barnett. Personally, I am not a fan of Barnett and his on-field antics. It always felt like he got more penalties than sacks, but he would fit perfectly in head coach Brian Flores’ defense.
I think Flores could get the most out of him, and he could become a unique talent in Miami. Philly would save a little over $10 million in cap space by trading him, and Miami could then re-sign him or get a compensatory pick for him if he would leave in free agency after 2021.
2. Miami trades cornerback Xavien Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a 2022 2nd round pick and running back Kareem Hunt
While the last trade was the deal I think will most likely happen, I believe this is the deal that Dolphins fans would want to happen the most. Myles Gaskin is RB1 for the Dolphins in 2021 until he isn’t. I love Gaskin’s game, but it is clear that Miami wants to upgrade the position.
Miami tried to trade up to get Najee Harris and Travis Etienne, but they failed. They put a waiver claim in for Kerryon Johnson, but the Eagles did too, and they had priority over Miami and were awarded the young running back.
I would not be surprised to see Miami wait until the rosters are set, and a veteran is cut so they can add another guy to the room. However, this trade was brought up to me by Reason from Phinside the NFL, and I really like the idea of it.
Obviously, Miami would get rid of Howard, and the Browns would add him with talented young cornerback Denzel Ward. This would give the Browns an elite cornerback tandem, and they would only need to give up a 2nd round pick and running back Kareem Hunt.
Now, giving up Hunt would hurt, but they have Nick Chubb, so they would be okay. For Miami, they may not get a first-round pick, but they would get an elite running back and someone they could really feature in their offense.
Hunt is primarily used as a third-down guy in Cleveland, but he has shown he can carry the load and be a bell-cow. If Miami is moving on from Howard, this would be a deal worth looking into.
3. Miami trades cornerback Xavien Howard to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2022 2nd round pick and defensive end Chandler Jones
I really enjoy this trade as well, mainly because I believe that Chandler Jones is an incredible talent. for the Arizona Cardinals, they would be getting rid of Jones, but they did sign J.J. Watt this offseason, so that should soften the blow. Adding a player like Xavien Howard to the Cardinals’ secondary would be huge for them.
They lost Patrick Peterson to free agency, but they did draft former Florida Gators cornerback Marco Wilson. And while Wilson is a solid player, he is not ready to be the guy in Year 1. Howard would improve the weakest aspect of their team and cement that the Cardinals are making a true run for the Super Bowl.
For the Dolphins, yes, they do not get a first-round pick, but adding Jones to their defense would be incredible. Jones is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but he doesn’t get the love he deserves. Before his injury last season, Jones had 19 sacks in 2019.
If a Dolphins player had 19 sacks in a season, people would be photoshopping them in Canton already. And Canton is where Jones will likely end up, as he currently has 97 career sacks and at least 3-4 more years of solid sack production to add to that number.
Jones and a 2nd round pick would be great value for Howard.
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.
5. Miami trades cornerback Xavien Howard to the Detroit Lions for a 2022 2nd round pick and defensive end Trey Flowers
I went back and forth deciding the compensation for this one, but I think a 2022 2nd round pick and defensive end Trey Flowers is solid. I think some people will want the first-round pick, but I do not think the Lions will go for that.
However, one thing they will go for is getting rid of Trey Flowers. They signed Flowers to a monster 5-year, $90 million deal with $56 million guaranteed. The Lions could save over $14 million on their salary cap by finding a suitor with the right price and getting Howard and only needing to give up a second-round pick, and Flowers for him makes sense.
Detroit is changing Flowers’ position this offseason, which just screams nightmare. Flowers thrived with Brian Flores and the Patriots defense, which earned him the contract he got in free agency. Reuniting with Flores could be a match made in heaven for both sides.
Miami needs a defensive end and what better end to add than one that can step in and know what he is doing right away. Flowers is a productive pass rusher, but he is also solid in the run game. Adding Flowers to the Dolphins defense would be incredible, and if Igbinoghene could progress, with the addition of Flowers, Miami could have a top-three defense in the NFL.