Cleveland Browns linked to disgruntled Dolphin Xavien Howard

Xavien Howard is apparently ready for a change of scenery and the Cleveland Browns have been named a destination for the cornerback’s services

Suddenly, the Cleveland Browns are a destination team.

After adding some talented players in free agency and the draft over the past two seasons, the Browns are being called one of the most complete teams in the NFL. For that reason, they’re getting their name thrown out for disgruntled superstars like Xavien Howard.

The NFL leader in interceptions from 2020 is reportedly unhappy in Miami and Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report says he could be a player that would put Cleveland over the top — and he has an interesting trade proposal for the two teams.

Sobleski proposed the Browns should send a second and fourth-round pick to the Dolphins as well as Greedy Williams in exchange for Howard.

What would make this trade interesting for the Dolphins would be the fact that they would not only get future assets but also a player who can start right now. Of course, there are questions with Williams as well after he missed all of 2020 with a nerve issue in his shoulder.

Cleveland even used their first-round pick this season on Greg Newsome II from Northwestern, but still, Sobleski says the position isn’t complete and that Howard would give them the best starting corners in the NFL.

"“As much as the Browns added, the cornerback spot opposite Denzel Ward isn’t settled. Yes, Newsome should eventually take over the role, but he doesn’t need to be rushed. Williams, meanwhile, is coming back from nerve damage in his right shoulder. Howard would immediately step into the starting lineup as Ward’s bookend and give the Browns the league’s best pair of man-cover corners.” — Sobleski, Bleacher Report"

Last season, Howard recorded a career-high 10 interceptions, which gives him 22 in five seasons with the Dolphins. He did sign a massive extension recently and is in the top five for cornerback salaries. That alone could be a reason for the Browns to pass on this deal since they do have a lot of players to extend soon including Denzel Ward, Baker Mayfield, Wyatt Teller, and Nick Chubb.

Having said that, it would be hard to argue that the Browns wouldn’t have a Super Bowl defense by making the move suggested by Sobleski.