Where things stand with Dolphins’ Howard amid Instagram post. And cornerback options

In one year, the Dolphins have gone from having, on paper, one of the AFC’s deepest cornerback rooms to potentially being in need of two or three new rotational corners next season.

While Xavien Howard remains under contract and cannot leave if the Dolphins don’t release him, his future stands very much in doubt because of his high cap number ($25.9 million) and the fact that his entire 2024 salary ($15.4 million) is non-guaranteed.

At this point, it would be at least somewhat surprising if he returns next season, though it’s not out of the question.

This week, Howard, 30, posted an Instagram “story” with these words from Usher:

“Sometimes you got to leave. Sometimes you have to go away from home to be truly valued and appreciated and maybe find yourself. Sometimes in the wilderness you find something valuable and you can come back and really enjoy it.”

An NFL associate of Howard (someone who has a relationship with him but does not work for him) said his sense is that Howard is very much open to outside options and would be reluctant to take a big pay cut to remain here, but couldn’t say with certainty what he would do if asked to take a small pay cut.

A source with direct knowledge said that to this point, the Dolphins have not informed Howard whether they’re keeping him and have not asked him to take a pay cut. Howard missed the final regular-season game and playoff game with a sprained foot.

At an introductory news conference last week, new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver did not mention Howard when listing players he’s looking forward to coaching next season.

The problem with cutting or trading Howard is that there would be minimal cap benefit to doing so before June 1.

If he’s cut or traded before that date, he would carry a $23.1 million dead money hit. But if he’s released or traded with a post-June 1 designation, he would carry only a $7.4 million dead money hit for 2024, and the $18.5 million in cap savings could not be used until after June 1. According to overthecap.com, $4 million of his salary becomes guaranteed on March 15.

Besides the possibility of needing to replace Howard, the Dolphins also must decide how to fill slot cornerback — where Kader Kohou regressed this past season — and whether to entrust a top four cornerback slot to seldom-used rookie Cam Smith (who played 20 defensive snaps in 2023) or sign a veteran backup.

Nik Needham, who was used sparingly after his October return from a torn Achilles, and Eli Apple will be free agents.

So the Dolphins could be in a position where they need to add three cornerbacks: 1). a starter to replace Howard if the sides part ways. 2). a nickel corner to challenge Kohou. 3). a cheap veteran to supplement A). Jalen Ramsey. B). Howard or whoever replaces him. C) Kohou. And D). a veteran nickel addition.

If the Dolphins go shopping in free agency for cornerback help — and that’s expected — here’s a look at the options broken into categories:

HIGH-USAGE ONES

There are 75 free agent cornerbacks and the 21 who played heavy snaps (more than 550), and would warrant starter’s money, include Kansas City’s L’Jarius Sneed, Giants’ Adoree Jackson, Washington’s Kendall Fuller, Dallas’ Stephon Gilmore, the Chargers’ Michael Davis, Chicago’s Jaylon Johnson, Indiana’s Jeff Okudah, Indianapolis’ Kenny Moore and Cincinnati’s Chidobe Awuzie.

There’s also Houston’s Steven Nelson, Pittsburgh’s Levi Wallace, Dallas’ Jourdan Lewis, Green Bay’s Keishaun Nixon, Tennessee’s Sean Murphy-Bunting, New England’s Myles Bryant, Arizona’s Antonio Hamilton, Tennessee’s Kristian Fulton, Denver’s Fabian Moreau, Tampa’s Ryan Neal, the Rams’ Ahkello Witherspoon and Las Vegas’ Amik Robinson.

Of that group, some would seem out of the question from a financial standpoint, such as Jaylon Johnson, who had a 33.3 passer rating in his coverage area or Sneed (54.6). Both are expected to receive big money.

Awuzie and Fuller probably won’t be quite as pricey, but could command in the $7 million to $10 million per year range. Both would be solid options if Miami and Howard part ways.

So would these aforementioned corners who had passer ratings below 100 against last season: Witherspoon (80), Moreau (85.8), Gilmore (90.4), Murphy-Bunting (91.9), Okudah (92.9) and Kenny Moore (98.3).

Howard had a solid 86.7 passer rating against him this past season.

PART-TIME STARTERS

There are other corners with an NFL body of work who have become part-time starters or backups, including CJ Henderson, Rock Ya-Sin, Jalen Mills, Shaquille Griffin, Dane Jackson, Ronald Darby, Isaac Yiadom, Chandon Sullivan and Arthur Maulet.

Most of those players started three to 10 games last season; all are at least serviceable.

From that group, those with the lowest passer rating against last season were Darby (72.2), Griffin (82.5), Sullivan (82.7), Yiadom (84.4) and Maulet (86.6).

SLOT OPTIONS

The Dolphins could bring in a clear-cut starting nickel corner or at least someone who could compete with Kohou.

The Colts’ Moore — who had three interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown — would be the best of the group, but he would be costly.

Fuller and Murphy-Bunting (who can play inside or outside) would be other options.

The Dolphins also could try to find one in the NFL Draft, with Missouri’s Kris Abrams-Draine and Washington State’s Chau Smith-Wade among potential mid-round options.