Are Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard the best cornerback duo in the NFL? Dolphins acquisition a game-changer in the AFC East

The Miami Dolphins shook the AFC East by trading for Jalen Ramsey.

In a pass-heavy NFL, it's becoming increasingly important for teams to have cornerbacks capable of covering elite wide receivers. With wide receivers seeming to get better and better, the cornerback job has never looked harder.

The NFL has seen fantastic combinations of cornerbacks in the last couple of years and these duos can be huge game-changers. From Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters at the Baltimore Ravens to Darius Slay and James Bradberry at the Philadelphia Eagles, the league has seen some brilliant duos in the position.

However, the combination of Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howards takes us to a whole new level entirely. The idea of these two at the Miami Dolphins next season is a very exciting proposition on paper. With the New York Jets looking like they mean business this offseason, the Dolphins have done brilliantly to get Ramsey so cheap.

A third-round pick and Hunter Long seems like an incredible deal, especially when they're pairing him with Howard. It's safe to say that on paper, this is the best cornerback duo in the league and Miami will be confident in their defense going forward.

How effective could Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey be for the Miami Dolphins?

Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard were both drafted in 2016, as the fifth and 38th picks respectively. They've both gone on to make a name for themselves in the league with 10 Pro Bowl appearances and four first-team All-Pros between them. This is currently the most among any cornerback pairing in the league.

Las Vegas Raiders v Miami Dolphins

The two are both dominant cornerbacks, capable of turning a game on its head for the Dolphins. They are able to adequately create a lockdown secondary that can eliminate the opponent's top receiving threats. This obviously allows Miami to be more confident and aggressive with their defense.

Ramsey has recorded 452 combined tackles (311 solo), 2.0 sacks, 92 pass deflections, and 19 interceptions in 108 games. Howard has recorded 286 combined tackles (222 solo), 2.0 sacks, 83 pass deflections, and 28 interceptions in 87 games.

A good chemistry between Ramsey and Howard will be pivotal for the Dolphins. Effective communication between the two and the ability to anticipate each other's movement will be key. If they can work together effectively, throwing the ball down the field will be a huge risk for their opponents.

The Dolphins were a bit leaky at times last season, and they've taken a big step towards rectifying that with this trade. The AFC East suddelny looks like one of the greatest divisions in football, with the New England Patriots feeling like the weakest of the four.

This will be tremendous to watch come the 2023 NFL season.