This offseason, the Detroit Lions have made significant efforts to strengthen their cornerback position. However, on June 4, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine claimed that the Lions might make one more huge move at cornerback before the 2024 season by signing former All-Pro Xavien Howard.
Ballentine selected the Lions as one of the top three landing spots for Howard.
“The Detroit Lions could bolster their cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship Game,” Ballentine said of Howard’s prospective signing.
Howard appeared in three consecutive Pro Bowls for the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2022. In addition, he was named first-team All-Pro in 2020 and nominated for the Pro Bowl in 2018.
Last season, Howard has 45 total tackles, 12 pass defenses, and one interception in 13 games.
The Dolphins released Howard last summer to preserve $18.5 million in contract space through a post-June 1 cut designation. Two years ago, Miami inked the veteran cornerback to a contract extension worth nearly $90 million, with $36.3 million guaranteed.
Why the Lions Could Be Interested in Cornerback Xavien Howard
Bleacher Report has previously listed the Lions as a potential destination for Howard this offseason. On March 24, BR’s Gary Davenport proposed Howard as a possible successor for Cameron Sutton.
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports also mentioned the Lions as a possible landing location for Howard before free agency began.
Since Podell’s recommendation, Detroit has added four significant cornerbacks. Howard also turns 31 on July 4, implying that the peak years of his career are likely behind him.
But, with the Lions projected to compete for the Super Bowl, it’s not surprising if the team goes “all in.” Adding Howard would be a “all-in” approach.
Howard led the NFL in interceptions twice, most recently in 2020. He also led the league with 20 pass defenses that season.
He intercepted five passes in 2021 as well. Although his interception total has dropped over the last two years, Howard recorded at least 12 pass defenses in 2022 and 2023. He led the Dolphins in this category last season.
Lions’ Offseason Cornerback Additions
If there’s any reason not to consider the Lions as a possible destination for Howard, it’s because of the other acquisitions the team has made at cornerback this offseason.
Early in free agency, the Lions acquired Carlton Davis via trade and signed Amik Robertson to a two-year contract. Then, in the NFL draft, Detroit selected Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw with their first two picks.
The Lions also re-signed veterans Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor, and Emmanuel Moseley.
So, despite the departure of Sutton, Detroit’s cornerback corps appears to have improved from last season. The Lions dismissed Sutton on March 21 after he became a wanted subject in a police investigation into his alleged involvement in a domestic violence case.
However, championship rosters can never have enough cornerback depth. And having Howard start opposite Davis in a secondary that also features Brian Branch in the slot sounds very intriguing.
How Arnold and Rakestraw perform in minicamp and training camp may eventually determine if the Lions pursue Howard. If the rookies look to be ahead of the curve, the team will have less desire to bring in another veteran.
However, even if Arnold and Rakestraw struggle as rookies, the Lions will not want to stifle their development by limiting their playing time.
