Green Bay Packers Urged To Sign $190m Superstar 

Green Bay Packers Urged To Sign $190m Superstar

Stephon Gilmore is the best free agent cornerback on the market, but Xavien Howard isn’t too far behind him. A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Howard spent the better part of the past decade establishing himself as one of the best ballhawks in the league. Back in 2020, the Baylor product won First-Team All-Pro honors after recording a league-best 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended to go along with one forced fumble, 51 tackles, and one tackle-for-loss.

 

Age has caught up to the veteran, and the four-time Pro Bowler is no longer capable of putting together that type of season. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t play. The cash-strapped Dolphins had no choice but to release the veteran, and Bleacher Report believes he’d be an ideal fit for the Green Bay Packers.

Despite trading CB Rasul Douglas during the 2023 season, the Packers did not address the cornerback position until selecting Penn State’s Kalen King in the seventh round. Adding a veteran to the cornerback room is advisable, and Xavien Howard certainly meets the criteria. Howard suffered a foot issue with the Miami Dolphins last season but allowed an opposing passer rating of only 81.3 in coverage. Although he will be 31 in July, he is still capable of bolstering a secondary.

Packers Linked to Free Agent Xavien Howard Last year, Xavien Howard’s overall numbers declined, however the most of this can be attributed to a foot ailment.

Now that he’s medically cleared, the former lockdown cornerback should be a dependable CB2 for Green Bay’s defense. Losing Joe Barry is addition by subtraction, but the Packers still need more assistance in the secondary. Jordan Love’s success sparked Green Bay’s rebirth, and with improved defensive performance, the team might make a long playoff run next year.

Of course, the Packers aren’t the only team who would be interested in signing Xavier Howard as a free agency. High-level cornerback play is becoming increasingly difficult to find in today’s NFL, thanks to decades of offense-oriented rule changes that have made it easier than ever to pass. Howard may not be able to shut down an opponent’s top receiver anymore, but the former second-round choice can help almost every depth chart in the league.

Other Possible Destinations

Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud proved himself to be a legitimate franchise quarterback last year, and now the Texans are going all-in on his rookie window. While this roster has the talent to win it all, their biggest weakness is the secondary. Derek Stingley is a great talent, but nobody should rely on Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson in 2024. Xavien Howard would be an immediate upgrade for this team, and the free agent should welcome an opportunity to win a title with his hometown team.

 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have a ferocious front seven, and they’d be even more lethal with better coverage. Xavien Howard might not be the player he once was, but the ballhawk free agent could thrive in a scheme that should see several off-target passes caused by early pressure. Don’t expect another 10-pick season, but this playmaking ability could be the thing this team needs to finally get over the hump.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City would not have won the Super Bowl last year without their impressive defense. While most of the unit is returning for another round, the Chiefs have yet to replace L’Jarius Sneed. Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson both showed promise in depth roles, but Andy Reid and company should consider signing a veteran free agent like Xavien Howard. A team like Kansas City can never have too many good cornerbacks, as opposing offenses will throw early and often to keep up with Patrick Mahomes.

 

Carolina Panthers

Xavien Howard isn’t going to win a Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers, but the free agent could end up here if they are the highest bidders. Carolina previously wanted Stephon Gilmore, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal. Now, the Panthers could pivot to Howard as they look to find a veteran capable of starting opposite Jaycee Horn. Even with the offensive improvements, this team will probably still need to win games with defense in 2024.