You might recognize Cris Collinsworth as a passionately outspoken fan of the professional football scene. He graces your television screen as a heralded pro football analyst and color commentator. His resume includes eight years as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Remarkably, it is not offense, but defense that was foremost on Collinsworth’s mind after the last week of regular season football. Even Collinsworth, the consummate offensive-minded fan of the game, had to pause and declare, “Every once in a while a defensive player makes a play that takes your breath away.”
On the last NFL Sunday of the season, Xavien Howard, cornerback of the Miami Dolphins, was that guy. His ascension to the national stage as a 2021 Pro Bowl selection is almost ironic if we think back to early May of 2021 when his contract was in limbo and he asked to be traded.
Emerging as Miami’s Best
Howard’s output has been so prolific this season, that fines from the mini camps he missed at the beginning of the season were rescinded. As a matter of note, insider Mike Garafalo remarked that it was the first time in NFL history that a player with four years left on his contract ended up receiving added money and guarantees. Howard rightfully earned his $1 million in Pro Bowl incentives as well as an additional $3.5 million in extra incentives.
Those numbers may seem to jump off the page at first glance but they do add up if you have your ear tuned in to the word on the street, because the question on many people’s lips is – not to mention a popular google search, happens to be, “Is X Howard the best cornerback in the NFL?” With the numbers he’s garnered in interceptions, yards after the i.n.t. and touchdowns, people naturally are starting to think of him as the best at his position. He has 54 yards after the catch and five interceptions.
Have you started thinking of X as one of the best players in the NFL across positions? NFL.com ranked him at number 17 of the best 100 players this season. The list includes players from every position and is not just a list for defensive backs. In other words, it’s a heavily contested list with the best talent in the entire league but Miami’s “X” shows up on it.
Making His Mark
Xavien Howard made his mark on the field all season long by being a consummate ball hawk. His list of accolades includes returning two of his own five total interceptions for touchdowns. In the season finale against the AFC East rival New England Patriots, he secured a pick 6 and returned it a37 yards to the house.
Howard requested a trade before training camp earlier this year while widely heralded as the best player on the Dolphins’ roster. Who would have thought that just a few short months later, Xavien Howard would still be in a Miami uniform? Number 25 in the teal and orange is the biggest reason his team posted a winning record this season.
(Featured image by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)