Xavien Howard, Dolphins, hold Bills CB Tre'Davious White in highest regard

MIAMI GARDENS — Bills coach Sean McDermott likes to say that players who create a lot of turnovers have something in "in their DNA."

It's clear Miami's Xavien Howard and Buffalo's Tre'Davious White are built different.

"He’s a baller," Howard said of White this week. "He tackles well. He plays the ball. He does a lot of great things well. He’s also quick."

Howard was a first-team All Pro in 2020, posting 11 interceptions. 

White was a second-team All Pro in 2020, posting 3 interceptions.

Make no mistake. These are two of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL. And they'll slated to play on Sunday, when Miami hosts Buffalo at Hard Rock Stadium.

"A very good player," Dolphins coach Brian Flores said of White. "Good cover corner, good tackler, good ball skills. A very good player. It’s hard to get open against that guy.”

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According to Pro Football Focus, White (90.3) and Howard (89.6) are the two highest-graded cornerbacks in the NFL since 2019 when facing third down.

Howard (22) and White (11) are first and fourth in interceptions over their last 38 games. Howard was a star at Baylor, and White at LSU.

Howard has always said he respects his AFC East counterparts, White of Buffalo and Stephon Gilmore of New England, formerly of Buffalo.

"I want to be the best corner on the field when I’m playing, no matter who the opposite corner is," Howard said. "I try to be the best corner each game.”

White could be asked to defend Miami receiver DeVante Parker, especially with Will Fuller scratched from Sunday's game for personal reasons.

“He’s a great corner right there," Parker said. "He’s hard to beat and you just know you have to be on your q’s and p’s against him. Good athlete right there.”

What makes White special?

“I would say he’s very patient," Parker said. "He’s not going to go for that first move and you’ve got to switch it up against him at all times.”

According to Pro Football Focus research, attempting to pass against Howard and White is often pointless.

Since entering the league, no cornerback has a better percentage of targets resulting in pass breakup or interception than Howard (18.7 percent).

It turns out White isn't far behind, at 17.1 percent of pass breakup or interception.

"I try to watch a lot of guys’ game, especially when I’m playing against them," Howard said. "Each corner, I try to learn from."

It should be noted that each player has been a terror to the team they'll face on Sunday.

White has three interceptions in seven games against Miami (Jay Cutler, Ryan Tannehill and Ryan Fitzpatrick).

Howard has three interceptions in six games against Buffalo (all against 2020 NFL MVP runner-up Josh Allen).

As is the case with most standout cornerbacks, neither of these players lacks confidence. In a recent Sports Illustrated article, Howard said 20 interceptions is his goal for 2021.

White famously has taped a photograph of a gold Hall of Fame jacket above his locker.

If they stay healthy, it's entirely plausible to suggest both players are on that track.