Amidst the swirling uncertainty surrounding the possibility of a trade involving L’Jarius Sneed and the impending threat of his departure in the next offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in a precarious position concerning their starting cornerback role.
Despite facing constraints in their cap space, the Chiefs may find themselves compelled to seek a new starter for the position.
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell recently examined the optimal destinations for the remaining pool of 20 free agents, and his assessment brings promising prospects for Chiefs supporters. Barnwell identified the Chiefs as the “best fit” for Xavien Howard, the former standout cornerback for the Miami Dolphins.
With four Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro nods to his name, Howard undoubtedly stands out as the premier cornerback still available in the free agency market.
Although Howard experienced a slight downturn in performance during the 2023 season, at 30 years old, it would be premature to conclude that he has lost significant ground or has veered too far from his prime. Even in what could be considered a subpar season for Howard, he managed to limit opposing quarterbacks to an 86.7 passer rating when targeted in coverage.
Expressing a desire to align with a competitive team, Xavien Howard’s prowess in man-to-man coverage and knack for generating turnovers (leading the league in interceptions in 2018 and 2020) underscore why he could seamlessly integrate into the Chiefs’ defensive setup.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the cornerback position, the Chiefs remain formidable contenders, boasting +650 odds to clinch another Super Bowl title next season.
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