3 Reasons Colts Should Sign Dolphins All-Pro Defender

Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard will be available to sign, and the Indianapolis Colts should strongly consider bringing him aboard.

It has been reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that the Miami Dolphins will release former four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard. This development means Howard will be a free agent at the beginning of the league year. 

Garofolo posted on X: "The #Dolphins have informed CB Xavien Howard he will be released at the start of the league year, sources tell me and @PSchrags. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is expected to have significant interest on the market."

With the Indianapolis Colts possessing a talented but inexperienced secondary, they must act to get Howard. Here are three reasons why the ink should hit the paper on a contract.

All-Pro Pedigree

The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately?" type of league. Howard is coming off of a down season by his standards. In 2023, he compiled 45 tackles, 12 passes defended, and an interception for the Dolphins. 

However, his Pro Football Focus defensive metrics tell a deeper story. Howard posted a mediocre 51.9 coverage grade in 475 coverage snaps, which was the second-most to cornerback Kader Kohou. 

While Howard didn't look his best in 2023, it's undeniable to forget what he's done in previous seasons. Drafted in 2016 in the second round of the NFL Draft out of Baylor, he immediately hit the ground running and didn't look back for seven straight campaigns. So far, he's notched four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro nominations (first and second-team). 

In 2018 and 2020, he combined for an insane 17 interceptions, which led the league in both years. Along with that, he's shown incredible ability to knock away passes at the right time, posting 95 total passes defended over eight seasons, along with 12 in 2023. 

If the Colts were to take Howard, they wouldn't be doing so expecting him to take a dip in the Fountain of Youth (30 years old). They'd sign him knowing he can still play solid defense and can help a developing secondary with a mind that knows how to succeed as a cornerback. 

Speaking of the secondary in Indy...

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An Inexperienced Secondary

The Colts boast a strong and established cornerback in veteran Kenny Moore II. Moore fell apart in 2022 but bounced back with a vengeance in 2023. 

Moore was consistent, grabbing an efficient 95 tackles, three interceptions, eight tackles for loss, and two defensive touchdowns. He was also the leader in overall coverage grade (79.3) by a significant margin (Dallis Flowers; 70.6). 

However, outside of Moore, this is an unproven, young corner room that could use Howard's experience. Moore would likely also benefit from having another veteran like Howard. Corners JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Flowers would also have a high probability of following suit.

Not to say Brents, Jones, and Flowers didn't show promise or potential, but they're still young and need as much mentorship as possible to fast-track that development. Howard can help with this and provide more skill to the corner room for the Colts, who also have a depth issue outside the starters. 

A Steal of a Deal?

Howard was originally on a high-performance type of contract for a corner with the Dolphins. Before the news of Howard's to-be release from Miami, he was on a five-year, $90 million deal. This equates to $18 million a year.

To put this into perspective, Howard's current contract makes him the seventh highest-paid defensive back in the league by average annual salary ($18 million), according to SpoTrac. The high dollar amount put him almost identical to Jalen Ramsey at $18.33 million annually.

However, the Colts likely won't need to pay this much. Indy currently ranks sixth in the NFL in available cap, with $79,250,395. Yes, the Colts have to address player re-signings like wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and defensive tackle Grover Stewart, but the secondary needs help.

I boldly predict that if signed by Indianapolis, Howard will receive a two-year, $18 million deal ($9 million annually). It's a sizeable drop-off from his previous contract, which will end with the Dolphins choosing to part ways with the veteran defender. A down 2023 season, mixed with the Dolphins figuring they didn't need him anymore, makes him cheaper than a No.1 corner.

The Colts can pay him, Moore, and the other key pieces and still have more to use. While it might not work out, it also could with a new coordinator like Gus Bradley. Bradley's style could be a nice change of pace, and so could a new role.

If the Colts put up that type of contract and Howard hits his stride, you're looking at an absolute steal. We'll see what Chris Ballard decides to do with this chance at a Howard acquisition. 

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