Free agent Xavien Howard dubbed as perfect signing for Steelers' need at CB
The Pittsburgh Steelers have shown to be content with their defensive backfield. Between Joey Porter Jr., recently acquired CB Donte Jackson and a couple of safety acquisitions, Pittsburgh's secondary is far from lacking, but it could use an extra playmaker to take it over the top. A free agent is lurking that can do just […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have shown to be content with their defensive backfield.
Between Joey Porter Jr., recently acquired CB Donte Jackson and a couple of safety acquisitions, Pittsburgh's secondary is far from lacking, but it could use an extra playmaker to take it over the top.
A free agent is lurking that can do just that:
The X to Pittsburgh?
At his peak, Xavien Howard was one of the best corners in the league. A former first-team All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler, the X as he's been deemed (since he erases WRs) dealt with injuries last year and was a part of the cap causalities that Miami incurred earlier this offseason.
Approaching his ninth season in the league, the soon-to-be 31-year-old may not be in his prime anymore, but he was a Pro Bowler the season before last and doesn't have to be the shutdown player that he was during the peak of his powers.
Pittsburgh has Joey Porter Jr. for that. We also know that the team isn't opposed to signing older but decorated corners, as they did just that when acquiring Patrick Peterson last season, who by the end of the year was one of the better DBs on Pittsburgh's roster.
And look, whichever team signs Howard knows they aren't getting a premier lockdown threat on the perimeter. If that was the case, Howard wouldn't still be on the market nearly two months after the start of free agency.
But if Pittsburgh can come to terms on a one-year deal at a veteran minimum total, I see no reason to believe that the signing won't work.
And if your logic is that Pittsburgh already has their CB #2 after trading for Donte Jackson, I point to a world where he's best off playing inside opposed to on the perimeter, especially given the concepts Pittsburgh's defense wants to employ.
There's a strong chance that if a one-year, veteran minimum deal was enticing to Howard, he would have signed a while ago, meaning he's likely seeking a heftier deal.
But as we get closer to the start of the season, Howard will have to take what he can get, and what situation boasts a better option than Pittsburgh?
Underrated WR named as last chance trade target for the Steelers
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