Xavien Howard Question

[Honeybadger08]

Does anybody believe the Dolphins will try to lock up Howard in order to trade him? He will hit the street after next year. If the Dolphins lock him up, they will have a young pro bowl player that could command a 1st round draft pick in return. I believe this is the smartest path to take if they want to obtain Tua, Frohm or Hebert next year rather than trading future draft picks, or by trading up this year for Murray or Haskins. I believe this team is not in a good position salary cap wise until 2021. They also have too many holes on both sides of the ball, especially at quarterback. The only way I see this team turning things around is by trading some of their better players for draft capital, so that when they are in a position to move up for their franchise quarterback, they can do so without mortgaging their future draft picks which they need to fill the many holes in this roster.

 

[marino13zach54]

If they trade him because they are ready to make a big move this year or next for the most important position on the field, I'm all for it.

This regime has got to nut up and go get their QB.

If they trade him to merely replace him, why the devil you don't know over the devil you know?

He's young. He's a beast. You build around/with that kind of talent.

 

[AJ Duhe]

They also have too many holes on both sides of the ball, especially at quarterback. The only way I see this team turning things around is by trading some of their better players for draft capital, so that when they are in a position to move up for their franchise quarterback, they can do so without mortgaging their future draft picks which they need to fill the many holes in this roster.

I think we are going to start looking at draft picks from a different perspective. If the team sees a QB they love, trading future firsts might not be as heavy an investment as it initially appears. If that QB brings wins, then you're talking about your future draft capital being devalued anyway because the picks will be lower in each round. Tannenbaum also had a habit of extending replaceable players in free agency and signing other free agents to fill holes. That habit leads to an aging roster with less draft capital because the team isn't being awarded compensatory picks in the 3rd round. Solid, sustainable rosters are built with picks from rounds 2-4 because those contracts are good value, and the extensions usually don't cost as much.

I do agree with you on one thing. Extending Howard should be a priority. 1) The team should be able to sign him to a deal that makes the overall number look good, but also gives us some flexibility to opt out after say 3 years if we decide to move on. 2) Right now, if he walks, it's only a 3rd round compensatory pick coming back to us. In a sign & trade, we'll definitely get a 1st or two 2nds.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

Does anybody believe the Dolphins will try to lock up Howard in order to trade him? He will hit the street after next year. If the Dolphins lock him up, they will have a young pro bowl player that could command a 1st round draft pick in return. I believe this is the smartest path to take if they want to obtain Tua, Frohm or Hebert next year rather than trading future draft picks, or by trading up this year for Murray or Haskins. I believe this team is not in a good position salary cap wise until 2021. They also have too many holes on both sides of the ball, especially at quarterback. The only way I see this team turning things around is by trading some of their better players for draft capital, so that when they are in a position to move up for their franchise quarterback, they can do so without mortgaging their future draft picks which they need to fill the many holes in this roster.

Sooooooo...if they trade their best players, who I can only imagine being Howard and Tunsil, who does that leave a top QB pick to work with?

We either go the Cleveland way, or the Arizona way....

 

[Honeybadger08]

Sooooooo...if they trade their best players, who I can only imagine being Howard and Tunsil, who does that leave a top QB pick to work with?

We either go the Cleveland way, or the Arizona way....

I would think Tunsil is more valuable than Howard because he protects the Qb’s blindside. If they can identify a franchise Qb, that Qb would be more valuable than Howard. We are going to have to take a couple steps back as an organization in order to move forward. This team currently is not good.

 

[Danny]

They don't need to give him a new contract in order to trade him. Actually, they could get more for him with the rookie contract that he's in now. If you give him a big contract and try to trade him then, other teams will have to think hard about giving picks plus taking on that contract. So, either you extend him and keep him or you trade him now where you can get a 1st round pick plus maybe a 4th.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

I would think Tunsil is more valuable than Howard because he protects the Qb’s blindside. If they can identify a franchise Qb, that Qb would be more valuable than Howard. We are going to have to take a couple steps back as an organization in order to move forward. This team currently is not good.

Ok...Devil's Advocate time. I'm of the opinion that there are no "get your man at all costs" QB's in this draft, and possibly next draft. That said, the main question becomes, "If we keep Tunsil and trade Howard...what happens to our defensive backfield?"

Are we going to put Minkah over there to replace Howard? What about CB2? The slot? FS...sooner than later?

Why make a hole when there is no need to do so?

 

[Honeybadger08]

They don't need to give him a new contract in order to trade him. Actually, they could get more for him with the rookie contract that he's in now. If you give him a big contract and try to trade him then, other teams will have to think hard about giving picks plus taking on that contract. So, either you extend him and keep him or you trade him now where you can get a 1st round pick plus maybe a 4th.

I disagree with you there. If they trade him on his rookie contract the team that gets him has a one year rental and if they can’t sign him then they get a compensatory pick. If the Dolphins extend him for say 5/55 million he would be more valuable to other teams.

 

[Honeybadger08]

Ok...Devil's Advocate time. I'm of the opinion that there are no "get your man at all costs" QB's in this draft, and possibly next draft. That said, the main question becomes, "If we keep Tunsil and trade Howard...what happens to our defensive backfield?"

Are we going to put Minkah over there to replace Howard? What about CB2? The slot? FS...sooner than later?

Why make a hole when there is no need to do so?

There are holes all over this team. You will create another hole by trading Howard but at least you start this rebuild the right way by drafting your franchise Qb. This is a rebuild not a reload that is taking place. There will be pain associated with getting this thing right.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

There are holes all over this team. You will create another hole by trading Howard but at least you start this rebuild the right way by drafting your franchise Qb. This is a rebuild not a reload that is taking place. There will be pain associated with getting this thing right.

We'll have to agree to disagree in this instance....

 

[marino13zach54]

If you are adamant that you’ve found your QB of the future and you need the ammo to go get him, I don’t think it matters what other holes you create.

But what poison do you swallow? Would you rather trade a proven commodity or picks the following year?

 

[Honeybadger08]

If you are adamant that you’ve found your QB of the future and you need the ammo to go get him, I don’t think it matters what other holes you create.

But what poison do you swallow? Would you rather trade a proven commodity or picks the following year?

As the team we have right now and and all the holes. I would trade the player and not the future picks.

 

[Swollcolb]

I don’t think it’s a realistic option. Say we sign him to a huge deal, then a team will have to take on his huge contract and will not be willing to give up premium draft compensation and cap space. Say we don’t sign him and trade him then a team knows it’s a 1-2 year rental (if they franchise him) again I don’t see teams valuing that as first round pick value. I think realistically a second round draft pick is what we would expect in a Howard trade. And I personally am not trading one of our best Second round picks for another second.

 

[Swollcolb]

Rebuilding is about identifying young players to build around, and add more young talent around them. Right now we have Tunsil, Howard, and Minkah. That’s not a whole lot. You gotta keep those 3

 

[Gonzo]

The only way I even consider it is if it greatly increases the likelihood of landing a top QB next year. Not convinced a late first rounder does that, and certainly not a 2nd or later.