With a lot of questions surrounding the Miami Dolphins’ cornerback room, one of their former corners signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns. As the Browns are dealing with their questions in the defensive backfield, the former Dolphin gets a chance to make an impact on a new team.
The Browns announced that they have signed veteran cornerback Nik Needham. While the contract details weren’t announced, it’s most likely a one-year deal for the veteran cornerback.
Needham joins the Browns’ cornerback room with Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Chigozie Anusiem, Tony Brown II, Martin Emerson Jr., Myles Harden, Anthony Kendall, and Cameron Mitchell. It’s the first team Needham is on other than the Dolphins in his NFL career.
Across the six years he spent with the Dolphins, Needham made his largest mark during the first three years of his career. The first half of his Dolphins tenure was drastically different than the second half.
In 2019, his rookie season, Needham started 11 games for Miami. He had two interceptions, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble, one sack, and 54 combined tackles in his rookie year.
2020 saw Needham rack up two interceptions, seven passes defended, one sack, and 58 combined tackles. In his final year as a major contributor in 2021, Needham had two interceptions, including one pick-six, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 59 combined tackles.
In the three years since his impressive 2021, Needham’s defensive production dropped off a cliff. Across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons, Needham appeared in just 18 games, with only two passes defended and 29 combined tackles.
In 2024, Needham only played one defensive snap. His injury in early 2022 derailed his Dolphins career, and led to his continued decrease in defensive snap count over the years. The 28-year old now join the Browns as he looks to rejuvenate his career.
