Free Agency: Xavien Howard; Sign with Houston or Dallas?

The Dallas Cowboys could be interested, as they've got some decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball in free agency.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who arrived in Dallas last offseason via trade from Indianapolis for a fifth-round pick will hit the open market unless the Cowboys decide they'd like to retain him. 

Gilmore's estimated market value per Spotrac is for one year at $11.165 million. Last season, Gilmore appeared in all 17 regular-season games and the Cowboys' postseason loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The five-time Pro Bowler had two interceptions last season to go along with two forced fumbles and 73 total tackles in the regular season and postseason. 

The Dolphins will save $23 million by cutting the four-time Pro Bowler. Howard finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2020, a season that saw him intercept 10 passes. 

The former Baylor Bears star and Houston native earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and second-team All-Pro honors in 2018, and maybe there is a "Texas thing'' here. 

But, alas, a problem: If Dallas is reluctant to pay Gilmore, say, $11 mil, how would the club feel about paying Howard twice that? He's been a $25 million APY guy for the last couple of years, and that doesn't fit.

We wonder if his "homecoming'' might not be in this part of the state ... but rather, down south in his actual hometown of Houston.