Antonio Pierce is now the team’s defensive head coach, and more money will likely be allocated to that side of the ball. The Miami Dolphins made a surprise decision by dismissing standout cornerback Xavien Howard. He should now be very sought after in free agency.
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports seemed to believe the Raiders might be a good fit.
“The Raiders underwent a significant defensive turnaround last season following the firing of head Josh McDaniels and the promotion of linebackers coach Antonio Pierce to interim head coach,” Podell wrote in his column on February 23, 2017. Under Pierce, Las Vegas dominated the NFL in scoring defence (16.0) from Week 9 to the end of the 2023 regular season.
“However, they still ranked 22nd in passing yards per game allowed (226.0) under Pierce last season, identifying their secondary as an area for improvement as he begins his first season as the team’s full-time coach. Amik Robertson, one of the Raiders’ starting cornerbacks, is scheduled to become a free agency, which could create a slot for Howard. According to OverTheCap.com, Vegas is expected to have the tenth-most cap space in the NBA this offseason at $48.7 million, making Howard’s addition a possibility.
Howard’s asking price should be reasonable, given that he turns 31 in July.
Xavien Howard played under Patrick Graham.
Xavien Howard to the Raiders may make a lot of sense because he worked with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in 2019 while both were with the Dolphins. While Howard was hurt that season and only played five games, he should be familiar with the coach’s methods.
The Raiders haven’t given Graham much to work with in his two seasons with the organization, but adding a talent like Howard might only help.
Is Xavien Howard a good fit with the Las Vegas Raiders?
Xavien Howard was once regarded as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. He is a four-time Pro Bowler who led the league in interceptions in 2018 and 2020. However, he has only had one interception in the last two seasons, and he is growing older.
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Last season, the Raiders took a chance on an older cornerback when they signed Marcus Peters, but he was released midway through the season. Now, Howard is a guy that Patrick Graham is familiar with, so he would have a decent idea whether or not he is a good fit.
The Raiders need a No. 1 cornerback, which Howard is unlikely to be at this point in his career. Nonetheless, he would give significant depth to a youthful secondary. If the team is unable to sign one of the best cornerbacks in free agency or pick one early, Howard would be an excellent backup option. Jack Jones had impressive glimpses last season, but it’s unclear whether he’s a No. 1 cornerback or a No. 2.
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