Xavien Howard is reportedly looking for a chance to reclaim the title of the highest paid defender on the Miami Dolphins — a claim he lost approximately one year ago when the team drew up a massive record-setting contract with fellow cornerback Byron Jones to join the team in free agency. If Howard is looking for evidence to build his resume in a case with the Dolphins, he shouldn’t have to look very hard.
Perhaps a single highlight of all ten of his 2020 interceptions would do the trick. And that’s exactly what the NFL’s league account put together and released yesterday; which provides Dolphins fans with every reminder of just how dominant Howard was down the stretch of the 2020 season.
All 🔟 picks from the 2020 interception leader! @Iamxavienhoward pic.twitter.com/IfzIVLOvcN
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2021
Ten interceptions is a mind-numbing number of interceptions and the law of averages suggests we won’t see the same turnover production for Howard next season. But even if the production falls off and Howard plays at 90% capacity of his 2020 level, he’s still primed for a high-level season.
Whether that play comes in Miami or elsewhere will be something to watch. The Dolphins must be somewhat selective with their cap space as they look to push their roster over the top. Paying Howard makes sense from a talent perspective, absolutely. But paying him may hinder the Dolphins’ ability to boost the offensive side of the ball.
Only Miami knows how comfortable they are at the prospect of the Dolphins redoing Howard’s deal after coming to terms on a long term extension less than two years ago. But what we do know is that there’s plenty of reasons to find a way to make the numbers work. Starting with each of those ten interceptions from 2020.
