Nik

Needham

A five-year vet of the league, Needham was limited to just 10 games last season due to a torn Achilles he had suffered in the previous year. The former UDFA has appeared in 61 games for the Dolphins since 2019 and has ample experience as a starter. With 199 career tackles and six career interceptions to his name, Needham should continue to offer valuable depth to Miami’s secondary and can be relied on to start in a pinch.

The free agent cornerback entered the league as an undrafted free agent but quickly emerged as a staple over the middle of the field, capable of playing both slot corner and safety. Current reports indicate the team is working to re-sign the veteran cornerback, with a deal expected to be finalized shortly.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth just under $2 million. He joined the Dolphins as a UDFA in 2019 and immediately stepped into a starting role. His reps were scaled back as Miami made upgrades to their secondary over the years, but he was in line to serve as a mainstay of the Dolphins’ cornerback rotation in 2022 before a torn Achilles’ ended his season after six weeks. Needham has played slot and outside corner while also pitching in on special teams before 2022. He’s a versatile option that the Dolphins will bring back on a team-friendly deal.

He was carted off in Week 6 after tearing his Achilles. Needham will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and this will probably significantly hurt his market. It’s a devastating injury for both the Dolphins and Needham.

Needham was carted off after immediately grabbing at his right ankle following a tackle of Adam Thielen. The 25-year-old has been playing virtually every snap for the Dolphins with CB Byron Jones still on the PUP list.

Miami extended a second-round tender to Needham, who joined the team as a UDFA in 2019. He has been the team’s primary slot corner for the past three years. Needham has notched at least two interceptions in every one of his pro seasons and he didn’t allow a touchdown catch in coverage last year. He will man the slot again in 2022.

Needham, who had two interceptions and 59 tackles as a starter in 2021, will stay in Miami for the 2022 season. Needham didn’t allow a touchdown reception last season in the stingy Dolphins secondary.