Mike Silver of the NFL Network is reporting there are several teams that are in “win-now mode” considering making a trade offer to Miami to acquire Xavien Howard. General concessions is that it would take at least a 1st round pick to acquire Howard. Whether a team will offer a 1st round pick is another story. Howard while just coming off the best season of his career with 10 interceptions also just turned 28 years old, has had on again-off again issues with his knee, a domestic issue off the field, and (this is the big one) any team that trades for him must rip up his current deal and give him a significant raise making him maybe the highest-paid cornerback in the league or in that neighborhood.

Miami is not in the leverage position here in that they are asking another team to part with draft capital (and/or possibly a very good player) and also take on a large contract which then the team has to rip up and make larger. Teams interested in Howard will look at Miami and say we will take this issue off your hands and rid of you of this problem but we are doing you a favor therefore the trade compensation will be lesser. Now, if a bidding war breaks out amongst even two teams who are drooling over the chance to obtain Howard then Miami would be in the leverage position.

Mike Silver in his report does say teams in win-now mode he is hearing are interested. To me, a couple of teams jump out as possible suitors, are as follows.

Cleveland: They were oh so close to beating KC in KC in the playoffs last year and have invested heavily on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. They aren’t worried about salary cap or draft picks, they want that final piece to put them over the top which Howard may be. Plus they have over $20 mil in cap space currently.

Arizona: They pushed all their chips into the center this offseason with the moves they have made to make a big run in the NFC. Plus they have a huge hole at the CB position.

Indianapolis: They have over $14 mill under the cap, are coming off a playoff appearance and an 11 win season. They have a need at cornerback and this is a move that keeps them on pace with the Titans in the AFC South who added Julio Jones to go with AJ Brown.

Kansas City: They have been to the last two Super Bowls and would like to go back for the 3rd time and win a second. Their secondary could use some help.

Pittsburgh: If they are going to make a final run with Big Ben, they may go all in and try to land another elite player.

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For the Dolphins if they do trade him they have no shortage of cornerbacks on the roster to step in and replace Howard to start opposite Byron Jones. This offseason they signed Jason McCourty and Justin Coleman as free agents. 2020 1st round draft pick Noah Igbinoghene will have a lot of expectations on him to step into a larger role this season. Nik Needham who has been a contributor is still on the roster.

In my opinion, as of today if I had to guess I would say there is probably a better than 80% chance Howard is traded between now and Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

More on this story as it develops