ESPN lists a Xavien Howard trade as a potential deadline move

What would the All-Pro get in return?

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With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, and the Miami Dolphins struggling early in the season, many are beginning to question who could possibly be moved or acquired in the coming weeks.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote a column on Thursday listing some possible trade scenarios around the league, and he came up with one transaction that could make some sense for the Dolphins going forward.

In this suggested trade for Miami, the Dolphins would be dealing cornerback Xavien Howard and a 2022 second-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick.

The instant reaction to this trade will probably be negative for most people, as Howard is their best player despite his play dropping this year. However, this trade is more understandable if it’s viewed as a big-picture move.

Miami and Howard had to re-work his contract for the 2021 season to get the cornerback on the field this year, and both sides agreed to re-visit the deal next offseason. If Howard continues to play like this, the Dolphins won’t want to give him more money, but he’ll likely still ask for it after having an All-Pro season in 2020.

So, if they can’t come to an agreement, the Dolphins are right back in the same predicament they were prior to the start of the year.

Trading Howard would also mean essentially punting on the year. It wouldn’t be too crazy to think this season is over in terms of playoff hopes. As Barnwell mentions, the ESPN Football Power Index gives them just a 2.4% chance of making the postseason.

Miami gains another first-round pick which replaces their original pick that belongs to Philadelphia. They can use the extra draft capital to address some of their more pressing issues like the offensive line or even quarterback if they feel compelled.

Again, this trade will probably be received negatively by Dolphins fans, and those who do so probably wouldn’t be wrong, but if the team isn’t going to contend in the near future, it’s one that makes some sense.

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