The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins are perfect trade partners
By Will Lomas
Does the benefit outweigh the cost for the Tennessee Titans?
There are two reports out right now that are connecting the Tennessee Titans and Xavien Howard.
The first from Pro Football Network says that the cost for Howard might be exceptionally low:
"“One league source predicted that, unless they eat some of the money he is still owed, all the Dolphins would get for Howard is a third-round pick — a return that would surely infuriate the fan base. But the reality is Howard has missed 25 games in his career due to a series of injuries, most notably to his knees, and he will want a raise from whichever team acquires him.”"
Howard for a 3rd round pick seems very reasonable even when you consider the cap hit he carries with him.
The other from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicts more moving pieces and would ultimately result in a pick trade and swap that looks like this:
Titans get: CB Xavien Howard, 2022 second-round pick
Dolphins get: 2022 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick
Doing the math, the Barnwell suggestion would net the Dolphins about three times the value of the PFN deal. To split the difference here, the middle ground that makes the most sense for everyone is:
Titans get: CB Xavien Howard, 2022 second-round pick
Dolphins get: 2022 first-round pick
Remember, right now the Dolphins don’t have their own 1st round pick this year. Instead, they have the San Francisco 49ers 1st round pick which looks like it will end up right around the middle of the pack. So if they are going to make a big in-season move for a quarterback in Houston, then they are going to want more ammo.
Two first-round picks in the immediate future are better spreading your draft picks over several years, and with a lack of suitors, this is probably the best deal they are going to get.
Meanwhile, the Titans sent their 2nd round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Julio Jones this summer. This move would mean that the Titans would lose a first-round pick, but they will end up with a second-round pick that has a strong chance to be a top-40 selection.
Playing a little revisionist history here, that means that the Titans would end up with Julio Jones, Xavien Howard, and a 2nd round pick that is 20 picks higher than where they would normally pick, and all they gave up was a 1st round pick in the 20s or 30s.
Jon Robinson is the best GM in the NFL at landing great talent in the 2nd round and after this trade, the Titans wouldn’t have to worry about spending money or a draft pick on a cornerback for three years.
If a deal can be made that looks like that (or cheaper) then the benefit would far outweigh the cost.