The Dolphins want to lock up Xavien Howard on a long-term contract. [ALLEN EYESTONE/palmbeachpost.com] ▲ The Dolphins have been speaking with the agents for Xavien Howard [palmbeachpost.com] ▲ Miami feels Eric Rowe (25) can compete to start at cornerback opposite Xavien Howard [BOB SELF/Florida Times-Union] ▲

The Dolphins also believe free agent CB Eric Rowe can compete to start

PHOENIX — The Miami Dolphins view Xavien Howard as a part of the organization's long-term future.

And so general manager Chris Grier has engaged in talks with Howard's agents about a contract extension. How much of a priority is it to get a deal done before the start of the upcoming season?

"It would be great," Grier said Monday at the NFL league meetings. "We've been talking to his agent back and forth a little bit and they've been very good to work with. Xavien wants to be here and wants to be here long term. So yeah it would be important because I think it could send a message, which we want, is that we want our good young players to be here. So we're working on trying to get something done. Whether it gets done or not who knows. There's a lot of things that goes into that, getting those decisions done. But yes if we could get it done it'd be great but who knows?"

Howard, 25, had seven interceptions and was a Pro Bowler in 2018. Howard has had two knee injuries in the first three years of his career. Is that a concern?

"A little bit but not really," Grier said. "Our doctors are very confident that what he's had is not something that's going to be a long-term effect to him. And really Xavien practiced at the end of the year last year, came back and it was probably us holding him out more, the staff. And you've got to give Adam (Gase) a lot of credit on that as well, not throwing him out there just to go out there to be out there. He wanted to make sure he was doing best for his career going forward. Xavien wanted to play and Adam was like, 'No, it's not worth it right now. We'll go out and play and let the young kids play and do it.' No, it's not anything we're really concerned about."

There's a good chance Howard's next contract comes in between $13.5 and $14.5 million per season, which would put him among the eight highest-paid corners in the league.

Miami is about to undergo a massive rebuild and retaining talented youngsters like Howard and left tackle Laremy Tunsil is imperative. Grier really wanted to retain right tackle Ja'Wuan James, but he received a gargantuan deal from the Broncos, becoming the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.

"Losing Ja'Wuan, as you know, was a blow," Grier said. "It just creates another piece that you have to fill."

The Dolphins have glaring holes at left or right guard and/or right tackle, defensive end and cornerback.

Miami feels it may have found a starter opposite Howard in Eric Rowe, who they signed away from the Patriots.

"Eric was a very talented player coming out," Grier said. "He was someone that we liked coming out of college. And we've been very fortunate that Brian (Flores) and Josh (Boyer) have coached him in New England the last couple of years. We almost traded for him when Philadelphia traded him. We were in on that. For him the whole key has just been staying healthy. It's been with the corner market where he is, he's a talented player, but to get him at the price that we did is the reason why. He and a few other players. The market. The price they were, we're very fortunate. Our coaching staff knows him and they have experience with him. So they're excited. He'll get a chance to compete for that job, opposite X."

This implies that Minkah Fitzpatrick will be a full-time safety this season, something Grier officially deferred to Flores to discuss in detail. How Flores and his staff implement Fitzpatrick and veteran safeties Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald will be worth watching in the spring, assuming all three are on the roster.

One roster move to watch for in the near future is the likely trade of defensive end Robert Quinn to Dallas or New Orleans. Quinn is visiting both cities and the Dolphins are hopeful to be able to trade him for a future asset, as they attempt to stockpile as many future assets as possible.

Miami Dolphins: Joint practices with Tampa Bay Bucs in the works

NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins explore if Drew Lock is franchise QB answer

jschad@pbpost.com

@schadjoe