The Green Bay Packers still have some money to spend, and they see Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard as a realistic player to try to sign before training camp.
Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department analyzed the most important remaining needs and potential fits for every team after the initial wave of free agency and the draft.
“Although they traded cornerback Rasul Douglas during the 2023 season, the Packers didn’t really address the corner position until drafting Penn State’s Kalen King in the seventh round,” B/R wrote. “Adding a veteran to the cornerback room would be a good idea, and Xavien Howard is definitely a good fit.”
Other realistic targets for the Packers included offensive lineman Dalton Risner and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen via a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Xavien Howard’s Path to NFL Stardom
Howard hasn’t had the same level of success in the past few seasons. However, there was a time when he was one of the biggest stars in the league at his position.
Coming out of high school, Howard was a virtually unknown recruit. Baylor saw something in him, however, and offered him a chance to play for the Bears.
That decision paid off for both sides. He got nine interceptions and 23 pass breakups in his final two seasons, and he was named to the first-team All-Big 12 in 2015 as a ball-hawking cornerback.
Howard came into the pre-draft process with an NFL-caliber frame at 6’0″ and 201 pounds. However, he still had to wait until the 38th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to hear his name called.
The Miami Dolphins took a chance on Howard, and it turned out to be a steal. He led the NFL in interceptions twice, earned four Pro Bowl selections, and was named first-team All-Pro in 2020. In eight seasons, he got 29 interceptions and 95 pass breakups.
Howard was given a $50 million extension in 2022. Unfortunately, a drop in production over the last two seasons led to his release this offseason. Now, the 30-year-old cornerback hopes to have a better 2024 season with a new team, and the Packers are a realistic destination for him.
Cornerback Depth Could Be a Need
The Packers seem quite confident in their group of cornerbacks. However, an established veteran like Howard could provide much-needed depth on the outside.
Jaire Alexander will be holding down one of the two outside spots. Although he had a roller coaster 2023 season, general manager Brian Gutekunst has made it clear that he has no intention of trading the All-Pro cornerback.
The other outside corner spot is where it gets interesting. Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine will be competing for the other starting spot. However, Stokes has battled injuries throughout his NFL career, while Valentine was a seventh-round rookie who showed flashes as a part-time starter.
Valentine will likely be the favorite to start opposite of Alexander. However, as an unproven 22-year-old, there’s a good chance he’ll still take some lumps in 2024.
An established veteran like Howard could relieve some of the pressure off of Valentine or Stokes while giving the Packers some legitimate depth at a position of need.
