Could the Colts be a potential landing spot for a former 2x NFL All-Pro and 4x NFL Pro Bowl veteran cornerback?
According to CBS Sports, the Indianapolis Colts are the ‘best free agent fit’ for former Miami Dolphins All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard:
Xavien Howard
MIA • CB • #25
Best fit: Indianapolis 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 primed to add one over the next month.
Howard could get an opportunity to start in Indianapolis, as he only allowed two passing touchdowns and a 64.2 passer rating in coverage last season. He can still line up against the game’s top wide receivers.
The 30-year-old veteran cornerback recorded 45 tackles (36 solo), a tackle for loss, 12 passes defensed, and an interception during 13 starts in 2023 before being released by Miami this offseason as a post-June 1 salary cap casualty.
Per PFF, Howard was just their 98th best graded cornerback with a +55.1 overall grade this past season. In coverage, he was targeted 71 times for 44 receptions (62.0 reception %), 502 receiving yards (11.4 ypr. avg.), 2 touchdown receptions, an interception, and an opposing passer rating of 86.7.
The former 2x NFL All-Pro, 4x NFL Pro Bowler, and 2x NFL interceptions leader probably isn’t what he once was, but could he be the missing veteran piece for a young Indy secondary—with 29 career interceptions and counting?
Perhaps transitioning to predominantly a zone coverage scheme could extend his playing career in his early 30s, much like it did for both Xavier Rhodes and Stephon Gilmore previously as late career veteran free agent cornerback additions for Indianapolis.
While Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been ‘bullish’ on a young cornerback room that includes JuJu Brents (24), Dallis Flowers (26), and Jaylon Jones (22), it is a very green group along the outside. Perhaps Howard could be a nice veteran complement to complete the room, however, it could come down to the veteran’s cost and potential playing time needs.
Also, one could make the argument that the Colts safety position is in greater need of a veteran addition than at starting cornerback—given it appears to be rather depleted.
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