Xavien Howard - 5yr. Ext. - Highest Paid CB in the NFL

"Dorfdad wrote:

Glad he signed but I’m not happy about making him the highest paid CB in the league! He doesn’t deserve it IMHO. He also has been hurt a lot I hope we have some clauses in this and it’s not all guaranteed because I don’t think he will stay healthy!! He also doesn’t grade out at the top CB in the league.

He won't be the highest paid for very long, if that makes you feel better. The Fins basically got out ahead and set the market for top corners, which is very smart if you believe in the player. Its likely three or four more will be making more than him before too long.

"AGuyNamedAlex wrote:

Agreed 100%

Of course he has the armor of knowing Grier wouldnt call him out because he WAS part of the staff whether he wanted X or not.

Yeah because if he didn’t, and he’s saying “ “we” and he’s posting this, it’s quite the scandal and purely to keep his name at the forefront for a future position..

"invid wrote:

I'm pretty sure they all wanted Myles Jack. I think we're doing alright with Howard, at an arguably more important position

I wanted Jack as well..both are great players, X is better than I thought he would be.

"djphinfan wrote:

I wanted Jack as well..both are great players, X is better than I thought he would be.

Same on both accounts.

I understand this sentiment, but there are a few things to consider:

1. We suck at retaining talent, and you have to pay them to do so. I'm glad we got ahead of it for once. After the barren dessert that were our drafts in the 2000's, it's been awful to see quality draft talent ship off time and time again.

2. He'll be highest paid this year, but not next. He's a top 5 corner and his salary next year and going forward will reflect that. We have the cap space to do this now and it'll make it easier later. It's a smart move looking long term fiscally.

3. I'm hoping this signals a culture shift, where we draft and develop players that fit our system, and pay to keep them when necessary instead of spending on outside FA's.

"daphins wrote:

I understand this sentiment, but there are a few things to consider:

1. We suck at retaining talent, and you have to pay them to do so. I'm glad we got ahead of it for once. After the barren dessert that were our drafts in the 2000's, it's been awful to see quality draft talent ship off time and time again.

2. He'll be highest paid this year, but not next. He's a top 5 corner and his salary next year and going forward will reflect that. We have the cap space to do this now and it'll make it easier later. It's a smart move looking long term fiscally.

3. I'm hoping this signals a culture shift, where we draft and develop players that fit our system, and pay to keep them when necessary instead of spending on outside FA's.

Good to see you back around more, man

Highest paid? No way is he worth that. He sure hasn't proven it. I'm not sure what they were thinking. That money could go elsewhere.

"MrPhinn wrote:

Highest paid? No way is he worth that. He sure hasn't proven it. I'm not sure what they were thinking. That money could go elsewhere.

I never did get this thinking. If you pay them now and lock them in, then the next guys who were going to set the market don't set the market for you. While he may not be "the best" CB in the league he's top 5. That means he's going to get top money in FA. When the other 3 come up and they make more than him next year, his salary will be exactly where it should be. And we don't have to over pay next year and make him the highest paid or lose him.

"MrPhinn wrote:

Highest paid? No way is he worth that. He sure hasn't proven it. I'm not sure what they were thinking. That money could go elsewhere.

The upwards of 120 million in cap space that we were slated to have in 2020 you mean? Are we just going to hoard that like a dragon on a pile of gold? :001_rolleyes:

Where's X?

"Finatik wrote:

Where's X?

Jokes on you. That Dragon is X.

"Galant wrote:

Some very interesting details on Howard’s deal. Miami really did well, from the team’s perspective, on this contract. https://t.co/KcxCicwaYX

— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) May 11, 2019

Yeah, exactly what people have been saying. 9 months from now with the tag coming into view, he wouldn't have accepted this deal. He's have wanted even more.

Being the top paid whatever in the NFL is a very temporary thing. In two years, Howard will be the 5th or 6th highest paid CB and in four years he'll be the 12th or so.

Other than some minor concern about his durability, he is the kind of young player worth paying to keep around.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/xavien-howard-18986/

For those concerned about the contract, here are the details via Sportrac.

2019: 10.25m cap hit (27.9m dead money if cut)
2020: 13.25m cap hit (17.5m dead money if cut)
2021: 13.50m cap hit (4.20m dead money if cut)
2022: 14.38m cap hit (2.80m dead money if cut)
2023: 13.40m cap hit (1.40m dead money if cut)
2024: 12.25m cap hit (zero dead money)

So, not only does the cap hit not explode over the years like many contracts, it actually gets smaller in the last two years. So if Howard stays healthy, he's actually likely going to be quite the bargain during the second half of the deal. And if he does suddenly fall off of a cliff in ability, then the team can cut him with few consequences starting as early as 2021! Its a really good job by the team, frankly.

While I generally don't like big contracts, this is one I can get behind.

X has done literally everything you want out of a prospect and is an elite talent. He's in his prime and brings attitude and swagger to the defense.

It’s Moves like this that gives me more confidence in my new team. Since the shula days. I really feel we are about to be a top contender. If flores really was in charge on the New England defense? Than we are going to-be a great team soon. I am on full board till i see a reason not to be. I am a true fan (fanatic) tho. I rooted for all past fins till they suck. Really good feeling about our current coaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=7BNAmcT8mm4;t=297

"Galant wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=7BNAmcT8mm4;t=297

Interesting take suggesting this is a somewhat team-friendly contract by virtue of locking a player in for years to come but IDK when he says Howard "may regret this." If his logic is that in 2-3 years a $13M/yr salary won't seem like big money because of the inflation of the salary cap I kind of doubt that.

I think Howard will be plenty happy as the years go by. And if he's not, that says a lot about whether he's a real team leader or just a hired gun.

Nobody gets to renegotiate every year. I think this is a deal that works for both sides. Howard chose to take a little less per year in order to secure a longer contract and a place in Miami. And if 3 years in he wants to be traded and makes a stink, he's got a relatively friendly deal which will increase the number of suitors.

Everything about this deal seems to work for both sides. It really seems like a win-win.

Been awhile! Life gets busy :)