The Dolphins came into the draft with a need to bolster their cornerback corps and they traded up in the second round to make sure they got Xavien Howard.
Now they have gotten Howard under contract. The Dolphins announced Wednesday that Howard has agreed to a four-year deal with the club.
Howard made 26 starts at Baylor and closed his career with a spot on the All Big-12 first team after recording 42 tackles, five interceptions and 15 passes defensed in 2015. Those interceptions and pass breakups show his ability to make plays on the ball, but Howard did struggle with penalties -- 14 pass interference flags over his last two seasons -- in college.
If he can control that issue, Howard should stand a pretty good chance of landing significant playing time in Miami this year. Byron Maxwell will be at one corner with 2015 draft picks Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett looking like Howard’s chief competition for a job on the other side of the field.