Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard. (Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
Xavien Howard’s name has come up in NFL trade deadline conversations but the Dolphins aren’t planning to move him on, according to insider Matt Lombardo.
If you’ve perused NFL trade rumors, you’ve probably seen Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard discussed among the players who could move before Tuesday’s deadline.
The rumors may be swirling, but when it comes to Howard, FanSided NFL insider Matt Lombardo had some cold water to dump on teams interested in picking him up.
Dolphins trade rumors: Xavien Howard won’t be moved
Per Lombardo’s sources, Howard is off the trade block.
That caveat there is a big one though. If Miami can use Howard to tip the scales in their favor when it comes to trading for Deshaun Watson, they may have to.
Still, it’ll come as a relief to Dolphins fans who want to see Howard remain in Miami to hear that he’s not going to get shipped out without the biggest prize of them all coming back in return.
Howard, who requested a trade over the summer, was asked about all the trade rumors before the weekend and he had a succinct reply.
It looks like he won’t need to swap out his Dolphins gear for some other colors this time around.
Howard is in his sixth year in the league after being drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has twice led the NFL in interceptions while picking up two Pro Bowl nods, including one last year.