4. Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
Xavien Howard is one of the best cornerbacks in the entire NFL and it is hard to make a top-five list at the position without including his name in it. The 28-year-old corner is a three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and has an extra Second-Team All-Pro nod. Howard finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in the 2021 season when he led the league in picks with 10. That was the second time that he led the league in interceptions.
Behind him is rookie Jevon Holland, who had a really impressive rookie season after being taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Holland may not be a household name and he does not have the accolades that Howard has but he was one of the top-graded safeties in the NFL last season on PFF.
PFF grades are rather subjective and are definitely far from perfect but you cannot scoff at the fact that Holland was the fourth-highest graded safety in the league last season. Is he better than Derwin James, who he was graded higher than? No. Is he a promising young safety that will only get better? Yes.
If Howard can stay at his elite level and Holland makes a leap in year two then they will undoubtedly rank higher on this list. As it stands right now, Howard being elite gets them in the conversation and Holland being solid (and young) puts them at no. 4.