For the Miami Dolphins, it all starts with the defensive side of the ball

Xavien Howard is my favorite Miami Dolphin player right now. He’s awesome and is the best pure asset on the team.  However, Miami is not going to be in the playoffs next year nor should the Dolphins look to pay Howard the 20MM price tag that he is looking for.  I believe X should be traded and look to go to a team that can actually take advantage of his skills set and propel them into the next round.  Based on X current contract and his play the past two season, I believe Miami could get a 1st round selection for him.   The Cowboys make a lot of sense, and I would also put the Chargers, Colts, Bucs and Chiefs as potential targets.

I think X won’t bring the same type of Laremy Tunsil return, but I think Miami could get a 2nd rounder this year and a 1st round in 2023. That would set up the Dolphins with 3 1st round selections in 2023 and an extra second round selection that they could look to bolster depth at the cornerback position.  X is 28 and still have three years left on his contract that he will most likely redo once his new team has been selected. I believe in McDaniel, but wasting X’s best years on a team that is looking to create an identity doesn’t make sense for both sides.

Losing X would be a hard pill to swallow.  He’s been one of the best  cornerback in the league for the past five years.  On the other side of the field, Bryon Jones’ contract makes it quite difficult to trade him,  and Jones wouldn’t bring the same type of return that X could.  Miami’s first key addition would be to say goodbye to the most talented player on their squad.