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Is Xavien Howard a legit contender for Defensive Player of the Year?

If Xavien Howard isn’t considered one of the favorites for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year campaign, we’d like to formally request a reassessment of the criteria for the award. Howard was back to his hold tricks against on Sunday, plucking an interception against Jets quarterback Sam Darnold to log his NFL-leading 7th interception of the 2020 season. The 7 interceptions through just 11 games played this season is an incredible feat for Howard; but that isn’t Howard’s only contributions to the Dolphins defense this season.

Not by a long shot.

Howard can boast an additional 15 passes defensed this season on top of his 7 interceptions (including two against the Jets that very easily could have been additional interceptions on the season). This season, Pro Football Reference credits Howard for being targeted 63 times through 11 games in coverage — and yielding a 47.6 completion percentage against him and a 49.1 passer rating against him when quarterbacks try to test him this season.

Howard hasn’t been immune to poor performances. He was given fits at times by Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf in Miami’s 31-23 loss to Seattle back in Week 4. But what Defensive Player of the Year defensive back hasn’t had their fair share of troubles in coverage at least one game on the season, right Stephon Gilmore?

Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) makes a catch over New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Howard should boast a strong claim for consideration. He’s leading the NFL in interceptions, he’s been strong in coverage all season long, he’s the X-factor (pun intended) on one of the league’s most impressive defensive units this season and everyone loves turnovers. The NFL’s sack race has cooled down considerably — Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald currently leads a crowded group with 10.0 sacks on the season. That’s par for the course for NFL standards and while the Rams are yet another strong defense this season (and no one is questioning Donald’s dominance as a football player, he’s probably the league’s single best defender), Howard is a more intriguing story thanks to the Dolphins’ uprising through the ranks.

Howard will get a chance to really sell himself as a legit contender in two weeks when the Dolphins welcome Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to town. If Howard shows up big there and Miami can somehow brew an upset, than perhaps this campaign will really take shape.