With Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard publicly requesting a trade Tuesday night, the FPC Dolphins staff sat down to a ’round table’ discussion.
If Howard is indeed traded, can veteran CB Byron Jones take over No. 1 CB responsibilities?
Daniel Roberts:
Xavien Howard will leave a big gap to be filled if he is traded or holds out, but in my opinion Byron Jones can handle the duties of being the No. 1 cornerback.
He had more of a backup role during the 2020 season, but he found a way to be effective with racking up 37 total tackles and catching two interceptions.
Why do I feel like he can handle being the number one option at that position?
It’s because Jones could just take the opportunity to step up and be ‘that guy’ that helps lead the defensive side of the football. As you’ll read, my peers have said though, Howard’s impact is just different. I do feel however that it will be tough to bring that same impact that Howard brought in 2020 in any player to a team in the future. Time will tell if he can fill the new role.
The biggest question of all of this is though is: Will Howard do what he needs to do, and will Miami do what it needs to do? That question will be based on the training and preparation Howard does and how the Dolphins feel they can best clinch a playoff spot.
Alessandro Senatore:
I believe that Bryon Jones is a solid and above-level defender at his CB position, but for only the No. 2 CB on any team.
There are a few simple reasons. For starters, his takeaway numbers are not mind blowing. When one thinks of shut down corners, one thinks of Darrelle Revis. Revis was able to move all over the field, force turnovers and even get to quarterbacks like Tom Brady.
Second, Football Outsiders named Jones “The All-Keep Chopping Wood” for 2020 which is an award the organization give to player who does not live up to his contract expectations.
HELLO! Maybe Xavien Howard is onto something?
I have to fully agree. When a player is given $82.5 million dollars, you better make QBs fear you.
Jones is a zone man who received too much money to be out-shadowed by the Dolphins “No. 2 CB” Howard, who put up better numbers than Jones in 2020-21.
While it is the decision of the opposing QB to throw anywhere, as a CB, you have to play your assignment to the fullest. Howard did that and even went out his way to hawk interceptions, whereas Jones only appeared to do the minimum to get the job done. Even then, that sometimes did not help him, and he got torched on many levels. If I were the Dolphins, I would strongly consider signing another veteran to say, a one-year gap deal, and allow Jones to teach the younger players if Howard is dealt.
Christian Chappell:
Though it is my personal opinion, Byron Jones does have the talent to handle being a starter in the NFL, I do not believe he has the talent to fill the shoes that star veteran Xavien Howard would be leaving should he be traded.
Howard has led the league in interceptions two of the last three seasons and has the talent to disrupt entire offenses with his ballhawking ability.
Comparatively, Jones has four interceptions in his six-year NFL career, while Howard has three separate seasons in his five-year NFL career where he had four or a greater number of interceptions than Jones.
While Jones does tend to be a better tackling corner than Howard, with almost double the tackles Howard has in his career, it’s safe to say that Howard has a much greater impact in the game with his track record of creating turnovers.
I believe most would agree that an interception is more devastating to an offense than consistent tackles. It is true that Jones has created four forced fumbles in his career to Howard’s two, but Howard’s 22 career interceptions make a much better statement than Jones’ four.
Kayla Morton:
Byron Jones has proven throughout his six-year career that he can stay healthy and be a week-in, week-out reliable starter. However, putting up CB No. 1 numbers in that span is a little left to be desired.
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There’s no doubt his tackle numbers stand out, having no less than 67 solo in any season with the Dallas Cowboys. Then, getting to share the workload with fellow standout veteran cornerback Xavien Howard when he signed with the Miami Dolphins brought his numbers down, but not for the wrong reasons. However, his takeaways, both interceptions and fumble recoveries, are eyebrow-raising.
Opposing teams were not shy when it came to publicly saying they tried to avoid throwing in Howard’s direction whenever possible, yet the increased volume in Jones’ direction still only resulted in two interceptions for him in 2020-21. Additionally, he also recovered only one forced fumble.
If Howard ends up being traded (or sitting out), Jones is going to be targeted even more. He will also likely have to pick up the slack from a learning, second-year CB Noah Igbinoghene. I’m not convinced the previous Dallas-standout can put up his same Cowboy numbers.
Editor’s Note: To read all of FPC Dolphins’ developments following Miami and Xavien Howard, click here.
– Daniel Roberts is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. He has also been the lead reporter on the Xavien Howard saga. Like and follow on Follow @dantheman1892 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
– Alessandro Senatore is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins who specializes in the NFL Draft and fantasy sports. Like and follow on Follow @AM_Senatore Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
– Christian Chappell is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @cmoneypc Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. She is also competing in the national #SFB11 — if you’d like to make a donation with her please reach out to her via Twitter. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.