So it is now official. Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has publicly (and boldly) asked for a trade from the organization that drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With an ongoing series of discussions this offseason seemingly going nowhere in the direction that Howard would like, he’s played his final card. A public outcry to be freed from an organization that he feels doesn’t appreciate him or deal with him in business in good faith.
Some of that is up for debate. But at the root of the issue for Howard is that he’s signed a contract 24 months ago that still has four years left to go — and he has little true leverage in the situation other than to make a public stink about how he’s underpaid for his services.
But should the Dolphins, despite having the leverage, decide that they’re ready to move on from all of the drama and public noise that this dispute brings, there is only one acceptable outcome in any trade scenario that sends Howard packing:
The Miami Dolphins must bring back a player who can help them win in 2021.
Yes, Miami could measure Howard and his merits to those of Jalen Ramsey, who netted multiple 1st-round picks in a trade from Jacksonville to Los Angeles. And they could also try to stack up any offers for Howard against the haul the team received for OT Laremy Tunsil in 2019, just months after Howard signed his 5-year extension with the team. Neither is a likely outcome when you consider Howard’s age and injury history. But hey, you never know.
This Dolphins team has graduated from the status of “rebuilding”. Both owner Stephen Ross and head coach Brian Flores have somewhat alluded to that fact in their own way over the course of this offseason. So if Howard must go, someone else of significance must be coming back. It could perhaps be another cornerback (although that feels redundant). It could be another pass rusher. It could be a center or an interior offensive lineman. Miami hasn’t coveted a running back this offseason; but perhaps the right one could move the needle as a piece of a trade package? Or perhaps any other position that the Dolphins feel like an upgrade is available.
But no matter what, Miami should avoid accepting only future assets and unproven pieces back that can’t help this team with their expectations for the year ahead. The odds of Miami getting a player back that is equal or greater in value to Howard is rare — so draft pick compensation would still likely be needed in addition to a player. But to surrender a 2020 All-Pro for future draft selections sends a conflicting message to everyone around the team about what the 2021 season is all about.
And that’s winning.
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