Top AFC Contender Indianapolis Colts named a potential fit for 10-interception and former Miami Dolphin cornerback, Xavien Howard this offseason. Following the draft, some notable free agents are still available, including Howard. According to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, he picked out the best landing spot for the top remaining free agents. Here’s what Kerr had to say about Howard possibly landing with the Colts.
“The Colts could use some veteran help in the secondary with Julius Brents and Dallis Flowers as the projected starters. While it was surprising to see Indianapolis emerge from the draft without selecting a cornerback until pick No. 201, the team is prime to add one over the next month,” he said.
Howard had elite-level production from 2020-2022, totaling 17 interceptions and 29 pass breakups during that span. However, his playing level has been slowing down in his 2023 campaign, recording only one interception and eight pass breakups. The Baylor product is still one of the best cornerbacks available after the expectation of him signing with a team in April.
It’s still a surprise that the former Pro Bowler hasn’t found a new NFL home yet but there are still teams out there. The Colts have the biggest need at the cornerback position but they didn’t select one until the fifth and sixth rounds of the NFL Draft. They were able to bring in Jaylin Simpson and Micah Abraham, helping elevate the competition but not anywhere near drastically improving the position. However, the addition of Howard should give the Colts some experience to give the young secondary some ball production.
Top AFC Contender Indianapolis Colts Named a Fit for 10-INT Free Agent Xavien Howard
The Rumors Are Heating Up
It’s a busy time for many teams, especially for a thin cornerback free-agent class among Stephon Gilmore and Kendall Fuller. However, Howard is the top remaining cornerback who’s been in many rumors that he could sign with a team anytime after this year’s draft. The post-June 1 release designation should give him more freedom to explore teams and start contacting rosters. According to a source, they have Howard on the top list for the Minnesota Vikings as a landing spot for the 30-year-old.
Teams will likely start reaching out to Howard soon this offseason since the NFL Draft is over. Howard may be cleared for football activities but his track record of injuries may disrupt his market value. It shouldn’t matter for the Pro Bowl since he made it clear that he’s chasing rings over dollars. However, the Baylor product has respect for Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, after serving as his head coach in 2019-2021.
“Brian Flores was like that.” Howard said on “The OGs” podcast. “He gets all of the this and that in the media, but he was a player’s coach guy. It was like, he came from the Patriots, so he’s seen greatness from the goat. It’s his standard how he holds guys around, our team, the Dolphins at the time. Me and Flores probably weren’t buddy-buddy, but I respect him.”
Howard would have excellent chemistry if he signed a contract with Minnesota. Here are some other potential team fits for Howard.
Potential Team Fits for Howard
Howard is in the mood to ring chase instead of chasing money. This should alert many teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints looking for an experienced secondary. The Chiefs still need a reliable veteran to join their secondary group after trading star L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans. Howard would fill that hole alongside Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams.
The Ravens had one of the best rosters and were close to a Super Bowl ring. However, this all came to an end once Geno Stone was gone from the team. He didn’t make up the entire secondary but he was a contributor to the outstanding excellence defensive output they had. Howard could bring that star power back and revive the defense alongside Marlon Humphrey.
The Saints drafted Terrion Arnold but they need someone with experience like Tyrann Mathieu to produce quick results. Howard and Mathieu on the same team should bring interesting conversations in the league.
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