Dolphins' Jalen Ramsey discusses Xavien Howard's departure and replacement
The Miami Dolphins were forced to make some tough choices in the offseason. With Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, and Andrew Van Ginkel – among others – left for new destinations in free agency due to the Dolphins' cap circumstances. Perhaps the most painful of them, along with Wilkins, was Xavien Howard. The long-time Dolphin was […]
The Miami Dolphins were forced to make some tough choices in the offseason. With Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, and Andrew Van Ginkel – among others – left for new destinations in free agency due to the Dolphins' cap circumstances.
Perhaps the most painful of them, along with Wilkins, was Xavien Howard. The long-time Dolphin was released back in February with a post-June 1 designation. By releasing him after June 1, Miami saved a hefty sum – $18.5 million – in cap space this year. In short, it was a necessary move that gives the Dolphins a lot more financial flexibility moving forward.
As such, one of the best cornerback duos in the league now looks, well, different after the team signed free agent Kendall Fuller back in March. Promising, but still an unknown to some degree.
Jalen Ramsey met with the media on Wednesday, and he talked about Howard's departure and his replacement.
"X is always going to be my dude," Ramsey told the media. "That's my guy. Wish he could still be part of the team, but business is business. I understand it. But I'm always rooting for him. Arguably the best corner in Dolphins history. So, that's my guy. But me and Kendall go way back to, like, high school. So, that's my guy, too."
Business is, indeed, business, and the Dolphins simply couldn't afford to keep Howard – whose numbers (29 interceptions and 95 passes defended) back up Ramsey's claim – in town. They will turn to Fuller to fill Howard's big shoes. Fuller has been particularly good over the last three seasons, earning Pro Football Focus defensive grades of 81.5, 76.6, and 83.1 in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
If Fuller can continue his high level of play on the field this fall for the Dolphins, then Miami might not lose much of a step at all from their starting cornerbacks in 2023. That is, of course, if they can find a way to stay healthy – something that's plagued this franchise for the last two years across the roster.
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