With cornerback a clear and top need for the Detroit Lions heading into the offseason, any available option had to be considered on some level.
Xavien Howard's days as one of the best corners in the NFL are behind him, but he could have been made to make sense for the Lions right after the Dolphins cut him as well as a bit into free agency. If you wanted to make him make sense, that is, but it always seemed like an unlikely match.
The Lions remade their cornerback depth chart this offseason, trading for Carlton Davis, signing Amik Robertson and doubling up on corners with their first two picks in the draft (Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw). Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor were re-signed, though it's worth noting Dorsey suffered a lower right leg injury during Wednesday's minicamp practice and his status is unclear in the immediate aftermath.
Even with Dorsey's injury, cornerback is no longer a need for the Lions. They couldn't offer any notable name who is still available the kind of role they'd likely want anyway.
Xavien Howard never did, and still doesn't, make any sense for the Lions
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report outlined seven free agents with big upside who could find a home before training camp, with three best landing spots for each. Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time league interception leader and still available, of course makes the list. The first two proposed landing spots, the Chiefs and the Texans, make a ton of sense. The Vikings also make a lot of sense.
For some reason, the Lions round out the list of landing spots for Howard.
"The Detroit Lions could bolster their cornerback room in an attempt to get back to the NFC Championship Game."
-Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report
Those who pay attention know the Lions have already bolstered their cornerback room. Sure, there are two rookies and there are those who may not be high on Davis or Robertson for whatever reason. So a veteran like Howard (who said, more than two months ago, he's open to taking less money to join a contender) could fit, on the surface of a negative angle for what the Lions did to add cornerbacks.
The Lions also seem happy with what they have in the secondary, albeit before Dorsey's injury could possibly hurt their cornerback depth. But if Dorsey were to be sidelined for a notable length of time, Howard is not a parallel replacement.
Wherever he lands, Howard will presumably want at least a good chance to start. The Lions at one point could have offered him that, but there have been never been any signs of interest from them.
Things can change. But Howard to the Lions never made a whole lot of sense, and the pairing makes no sense now.