One of the NFL’s best defensive backs is set to hit the open market.
The Dolphins have notified stud cornerback Xavian Howard that he will be waived at the beginning of the new league year. According to NFL Networkafter spending eight seasons with the team.
Howard has three years left on his five-year, $90 million contract that started in 2022, and the move will give the Dolphins $18.5 million in salary cap space, but after June 1, cannot be used until
Even if the Dolphins waived Howard before June 1st, they would only save $2.8 million in salary cap space.
The paper added that Howard is expected to receive significant interest as a free agent.
Howard apparently referenced the news on Instagram. post your own photo He is wearing a Dolphins jersey with the caption “Legend of the Dolphins” and a light blue and orange heart, the Dolphins’ colors.
The Dolphins selected Howard, 30, out of Baylor in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he has since emerged as one of the most productive cornerbacks in the league.
His 29 career interceptions are the second-most in the NFL since entering the league in 2016.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Howard was named to the All-Pro Second Team in 2018 and the First Team in 2020.
Howard, who was a team captain, did not earn either honor last year with just one interception in 13 regular season games, but he did have one interception in the AFC Wild Card round loss to the Chiefs. .
Pro Football Focus gave him a low overall rating of 55.1 this season, ranking him 99th among cornerbacks.
According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed a passer rating of 81.3 when targeted in coverage.
Still, Howard will be one of the best defensive backs in free agency.
Adree’ Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Kendall Fuller and Jeff Okudah are among the other top cornerbacks to hit the open market.
