Dolphins position review: Miami’s high-priced cornerback duo set to return for Year 3
The Dolphins rely heavily on their top cornerbacks to stress opposing offenses, and that’s a major reason Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are the team’s highest-paid players. Both are locked up for the foreseeable future and general manager Chris Grier provided optimism at the NFL scouting combine that that will continue to be the case despite questions about Howard’s contract. In the ninth of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald will examine the Dolphins’ cornerbacks situation. Next is safety.
2021 IN REVIEW
Last summer, Howard’s future with the organization was in question after frustration with his contract led him to skip voluntary offseason workouts and then request a trade shortly into training camp. Howard and the Dolphins eventually agreed to rework his deal, originally signed in 2019, giving him more incentives in 2021 and increased guaranteed money in 2022. Howard’s agent, David Canter, also received what he interpreted as assurances that the deal will be renegotiated in late February or early March, in line with the marketplace and based on health and performance. Grier told local reporters in Indianapolis he’s been talking to Howard about reworking his deal.
On the field, Howard and Jones struggled — along with the entire defense — through the 1-7 start. The bookend corners also dealt with nagging injuries that sidelined them. As the season turned to the second half, the two lived up to their lockdown reputations, helping spearhead a defense that was one of the best during the stretch run.
DEPTH CHART
Xavien Howard
▪ Skinny: Howard struggled early in the season with injuries and play he acknowledged wasn’t up to his standard but was one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in the second half of the season. While he didn’t match his league-leading 10 interceptions from 2020, his game-changing plays continued in 2021. His five interceptions led the team and two forced fumbles ranked second.
▪ Contract: Howard, 28, is entering the third year of a five-year extension he signed in 2019. He has a cap hit of $16,358,222, the second largest on the team.
Byron Jones
▪ Skinny: Jones doesn’t force the takeaways that Howard is known for, but his play on the opposite side of the field is a big reason the Dolphins had so much success with their blitz-heavy tendencies. His 10 pass deflections ranked fourth on the team.
▪ Contract: Jones, 29, is entering the third year of a five-year contract. He has a cap hit of $17,600,000, the largest on the team.
Nik Needham
▪ Skinny: Needham worked as the Dolphins’ top slot cornerback and had his best season to date in a contract year. His 59 combined tackles were a career high, and he added two interceptions and five pass deflections. According to Pro Football Focus, Needham’s 201 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown was the second most among cornerbacks.
▪ Contract: Needham, 25, is headed for restricted free agency.
Justin Coleman
▪ Skinny: With Needham as the top nickel back, Coleman had a reserve role and contributed on special teams. He recorded 27 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
▪ Contract: Coleman, 28, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Elijah Campbell
▪ Skinny: Campbell was claimed off waivers shortly after the deadline to cut rosters to 53 players. He appeared in seven games and played all 133 of his snaps on special teams.
▪ Contract: Campbell, 27, is an exclusive rights free agent. If the Dolphins offer him a one-year, league-minimum contract, he cannot negotiate with other teams.
Jamal Perry
▪ Skinny: Perry started the season on the practice squad and was later promoted to the 53-man roster. He appeared in four games, primarily contributing on special teams, but was placed on injured reserve in November after sustaining a knee injury.
▪ Contract: Perry, 27, is headed for restricted free agency.
Trill Williams
▪ Skinny: Williams made the team as an undrafted free agent and appeared in one game.
▪ Contract: Williams, 22, is entering the second year of a three-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $825,000.
Noah Igbinoghene
▪ Skinny: After struggling as a rookie, Igbinoghene failed to find a role in his second season. He appeared in seven games with one start and recorded six tackles.
▪ Contract: Igbinoghene, 22, is entering the third year of a five-year rookie contract, with a team option for the fifth season. He has a cap hit of $3,069,328.
OFFSEASON QUESTIONS
1. What does another reworked deal for Howard look like?
Howard spoke very little of his restructured contract during the season and when asked about his standing with the team, he kept his focus on the field. At the time of signing his deal in 2019, it was the largest for a cornerback in NFL history but now ranks seventh in average salary, just behind Jones. It remains to be seen what another restructure would like: more feasible incentives or guarantees? Howard’s importance to the team, however, cannot be understated.
2. Can Igbinoghene be salvaged?
Igbinoghene is maybe the poster child for an underwhelming 2019 draft class that, one could argue, is the reason for the Dolphins’ continued plodding in mediocrity. The last of three first-round picks for the Dolphins that year, Igbinoghene has all the physical tools you seek in a top-flight corner but hasn’t been able to put it all together on the field. With Dolphins great Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison returning to the team as defensive coaches, maybe a fresh perspective could be beneficial for a player who is still just 22 years old.
3. Is there room for a developmental cornerback?
The current expectation is that Xavien Howard and Byron Jones return to man the starting spots on the boundary and it won’t cost much to retain Needham, a restricted free agent. Igbinoghene remains an unknown and outside of that, the Dolphins don’t have much depth. Howard and Jones are signed through the 2024 season but are both approaching 30. While there has been no indication of a downturn in production, depth is the league’s greatest necessity. Drafting a cornerback in the first two days is unlikely but adding a raw talent on Day 3 is not out of the question.
POTENTIAL ADDITIONS
The Dolphins won’t have to spend much money to retain their free-agent cornerbacks and many of those players would fill out the back of the roster in special teams roles. In the draft, Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant is an impressive athlete who thrived in a man-heavy scheme similar to the Dolphins. He’s a Day 3 prospect.
DOLPHINS POSITION REVIEWS
OLB: What’s the next step for an ascending outside linebacker?
ILB: A new inside linebacker running mate for Jerome Baker?
DL: Big decisions to be made on top defensive linemen
TE: Will Miami be able to keep its free agent tight ends?
OL: Will Miami splurge on offensive line in free agency?
WR: What wide receiver will complement Jaylen Waddle in 2022?
RB: Will Miami finally use a high draft pick on a running back?
QB: Dolphins appear all-in on Tagovailoa but who joins QB room?
This story has been updated following comments from Dolphins GM Chris Grier at the NFL scouting combine.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 1:14 PM.
