The Dallas Cowboys are attempting to keep their season alive in a big way. The team recently brought in former Miami Dolphins and All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard for a workout.
Howard has yet to play in 2024 but remains one of the best free agents on the market.
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Howard was one of the best corners in the NFL, but injuries derailed his 2023 season, resulting is being cut by Miami.
Howard is a four-time Pro Bowler, First-Team All-Pro, and Second-team All-Pro. Throughout his eight-season career, he has secured a total of 29 interceptions and 95 passes defended.
Howard spent all eight seasons with the Dolphins, with his most successful coming in 2020, when he secured a league-leading 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended. He was named a Pro Bowler, First-team All-Pro, and came in third in Defensive Player of the Year votes. Howard also secured 51 total tackles and one forced fumble that season.
Howard held the most interceptions in the league since 2016, 29, before Justin Simmons broke that record with 30. Simply put, Howard is one of the best corners in the game.
The issue is Howard has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career, which is likely a big reason why teams have been wary about signing him.
The Cowboys need secondary help, as they have also dealt with injuries to both DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs. Bland suffered a stress fracture in training camp and was activated on Oct. 30. Through two games, he has secured 15 total tackles and one pass defended.
Diggs, on the other hand, has been dealing with a nagging groin injury that has kept him out of action. The Cowboys need depth at the corner, and considering the team is back in the playoff hunt, adding a talent like Howard makes a ton of sense.
Regardless if Bland and Diggs are healthy, Howard is the right kind of veteran that the defense and secondary need.
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The Cowboys are 5-7 on the season and are on a two-game winning streak. Big wins against the Washington Commanders and New York Giants have thrust Dallas back into the playoff race in the NFC.
Despite being at No. 12 in the playoff race, the Cowboys are still very much in the thick of things in terms of landing a wildcard spot. Dallas has some favorable matchups coming up against the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers that can certainly help their chances at a postseason berth. Adding Howard can also aid that effort even more.
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