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Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has sparked NFL trade rumors entering training camp due to a contract grievance that already resulted in a minicamp holdout and could lead to a trade.
Unsurprisingly, many NFL teams would be interested in landing the All-Pro cornerback. He led the NFL in interceptions this past season and is integral for the success of one of the best defenses in the NFL.
While there are plenty of intriguing landing spots for Howard, one surprising suitor might be in the mix for a blockbuster trade.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared Sunday on SportsCenter that many people in the league he spoke to believe the Houston Texans could be a potential home for Howard.
- Xavien Howard stats (2020): 20 pass deflections, 10 interceptions, 53.0 passer rating allowed (PFF)
It’s a fascinating revelation considering where things stand in Houston. The Texans enter the season at the bottom of the latest NFL power rankings and are projected to be at the beginning stages of a rebuild. With Deshaun Watson still wanting out and only $2 million in cap space next year, adding a 28-year-old corner who wants a new deal would be surprising.
But there is another possibility at play, one that would shake up the NFL significantly.
Could Xavien Howard be a part of Deshaun Watson trade
Back when Deshaun Watson demanded a trade the Texans made it clear they wouldn’t part with him. But there were NFL rumors about what it would cost before the franchise would even entertain the thought, with a rival club likely required to spend multiple first-round picks and young, impact talent.
Miami is poised to enter the 2021 season with Tua Tagovailoa under center, but there is already speculation he could be benched if things go poorly. Watson would be a monumental upgrade at the most important position on the field, giving the Dolphins a shot to compete for the Super Bowl.
But the Pro Bowl quarterback who led the NFL in passing yards this season still faces an uncertain future. There are still 22 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct currently pending and there is rampant speculation about whether he’ll play this fall or be sidelined until 2023.
If the Dolphins are willing to take a massive risk before the legal process comes out, it’s possible a blockbuster trade could be pursued. Miami owns San Francisco’s 2022 first-round pick and a pair of 2023 first-round selections, which could be packaged with Xavien Howard to land an MVP-caliber quarterback.