The Steelers seem to have hit a home run with CB Joey Porter Jr., the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, they must find another reliable corner to pair with him on defense this offseason.
Should Pittsburgh target four-time Pro Bowl CB Xavien Howard, who was informed last week by the Dolphins that he’ll released at the start of the new league year?
The quick and easy answer is yes.
Veteran cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace were continually picked on in 2023, so finding another corner to put across Porter Jr. should be near the top of the Steelers’ to-do list in the coming weeks.
Howard isn’t the player he used to be when he led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 and 2020, but he has proven to be a capable player still, posting 45 tackles, one interception and 12 passes defensed in 2023.
The 30-year-old could be what Pittsburgh hoped it was getting in Peterson, who was forced to consider a position change to safety after struggling last season.
One of the biggest factors outside of the Steelers’ interest in Howard would be what he would cost since they have just $8.9 million in cap space heading into 2024, per Over The Cap.
Pittsburgh will still likely make some moves to clear more cap space before the start of free agency, which begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.
However, Howard is expected to have significant interest on the open market, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
He won’t be as expensive as some of the other cornerbacks that could hit free agency, such as Bears’ Jaylon Johnson and Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed, but if he does have several suitors, his price will go up.
If Pittsburgh does find a way to add Howard to its roster, it will fill one of its biggest holes and allow the team to focus on one less position in the 2024 NFL Draft.
