Nik Needham

Last updated

Nik Needham
No. 40 – Miami Dolphins
Position: Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1996-11-04) November 4, 1996 (age 28)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school: Buena Park
(Buena Park, California)
College: UTEP (2014–2018)
Undrafted: 2019
Career history
Roster status:Practice squad
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:199
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:25
Interceptions:6
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nikolas James Needham (born November 4, 1996) is an American professional football defensive back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UTEP.

Contents

Early years

Needham attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California where he played football. He was the 2013 first team All-Freeway League honoree. He played defensive back and wide receiver during the 2013 season. He averaged 87.7 yards per game. He was a two-star recruit on Scout.com and ranked 74th cornerback in the nation on 247Sports. [1]

College career

Needham was a member of the UTEP Miners for five seasons, redshirting his freshman season. He finished his collegiate career with 213 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions and a school record 33 passes broken up in 41 games played. [2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in
(1.81 m)		194 lb
(88 kg)		30+3⁄4 in
(0.78 m)		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		4.67 s1.64 s2.63 s4.20 s6.90 s30.5 in
(0.77 m)		9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		10 reps
All values from Pro Day [3]

Needham signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2019. [4] He was waived on August 31 as part of final roster cuts but was resigned to the team's practice squad the following day. [5] Needham was promoted to the active roster on October 12 and made his NFL debut the next day against the Washington Redskins, starting at cornerback and finishing the game with one tackle and a pass defended. [6] [7] In Week 9 against the New York Jets, Needham recorded a team-high 9 tackles and sacked Sam Darnold once in the 26–18 win. [8] Needham recorded his first career interception on November 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, picking off a pass from Brian Hoyer in the fourth quarter of the Dolphins' 16-12 win. [9] In Week 15 against the New York Giants, Needham intercepted a pass thrown by Eli Manning during the 36–20 loss. [10] He finished his rookie season with 54 tackles, a sack, one forced fumble and a team-high 11 passes defended with two interceptions in 12 games played. [11]

In Week 10 of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Chargers, Needham recorded his first sack of the season on Justin Herbert during the 29–21 win. [12]

Needham was given an exclusive-rights free agent tender by the Dolphins on March 8, 2021. [13] He signed the one-year contract on April 19. [14]

On March 11, 2022, the Dolphins placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Needham. [15]

On October 19, 2022, the Dolphins placed Needham on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon. [16]

On March 17, 2023, Needham re-signed with the Dolphins. [17] Due to his torn achilles from last season, Needham was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the 2023 season. [18] He was activated on October 24. [19]

On March 10, 2024, Needham re-signed with the Dolphins. [20] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad. [21] [22]

Personal life

Needham is the son of Steve Calhoun and Shannon Needham. He is an only child. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reshad Jones</span> American football player (born 1988)

Reshad Monquez Jones is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Campbell (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Darion Lamar Campbell Jr. is a former American football safety. He played college football at California, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dion Jordan</span> American football player (born 1990)

Dion Rory Jordan is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the third pick of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Johnson (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Alexander James Johnson is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee.

Samuel Callaghan Brenner is a former American football center. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Brenner played college football at Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Thomas (defensive back)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Michael Thomas is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Phillips</span> American football player (born 1992)

Adrian Phillips is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and joined the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. During the 2018 season, he earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. Phillips joined the Patriots in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Flowers</span> American football player (born 1993)

Robert Lee "Trey" Flowers III is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Arkansas and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Flowers has also played for the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby McCain</span> American football player (born 1993)

Bobby Marcellous McCain is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. McCain has also played for the Washington Football Team / Commanders and New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Coleman</span> American football player (born 1993)

Justin Jamal Coleman is an American football cornerback and nickelback who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee, and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. Coleman won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neville Hewitt (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Neville Hewitt is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Marshall, where he was a safety and linebacker. Hewitt signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

Jerome Baker is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State.

Jamal Perry is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parry Nickerson</span> American football player (born 1994)

Parry Nickerson is an American professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tulane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Sieler</span> American football player (born 1995)

Zachary Wilfried Sieler is an American professional football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ferris State, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Boyle (American football)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Timothy Kevin Boyle is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the UConn Huskies and Eastern Kentucky Colonels and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Boyle has also played for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Davis</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jalen Davis is an American professional football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah State.

Christopher Lamar Lammons is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benito Jones</span> American football player (born 1997)

Benito Jaquez Jones is an American professional football nose tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss, and previously played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.

Verone McKinley III is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon.

References

  1. ↑ "Nik Needham - Football". UTEP Miners. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ↑ Chalvire, Patrick (April 28, 2019). "Needham Signs with Miami Dolphins". cbs4local.com.
  3. ↑ "Nik Needham, Texas-El Paso, CB, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  4. ↑ Deaver, Colin (April 28, 2019). "Needham signs as undrafted free agent with Dolphins". KTSM.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Chalvire, Patrick (September 2, 2019). "Former Miner/Aggie football players join Miami Dolphins practice squad" . Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ Nogle, Kevin (October 12, 2019). "Dolphins promote Nik Needham, waive Doug Middleton". ThePhinsider.com. SB Nation . Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Poupart, Alain (October 13, 2019). "I Said It: Brian Flores, Players React To Dolphins-Redskins". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Dolphins get first win of 2019, top Jets 26-18". ESPN . November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ Ayello, Jim (November 10, 2019). "Colts suffer shocking loss to Dolphins as Vinatieri, Ebron, Hoyer struggle". USAToday.com . Indianapolis Star . Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Manning throws 2 TDs, Barkley scores 2, Giants end long skid". ESPN . December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  11. ↑ Perkins, Chris (January 2, 2020). "Dolphins final report card: Hopes for No. 1 pick are gone, but hope for the future is high". The Athletic . Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  13. ↑ Simmons, Myles (March 8, 2021). "Dolphins tender ERFAs Nik Needham, Calvin Munson, and Jamal Perry". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April". NFL.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Roster Moves: Dolphins place second-round tender on Needham". MiamiDolphins.com. March 11, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  16. ↑ Mendel, Jake (October 19, 2022). "Dolphins place Nik Needham and Trey Flowers on injured reserve". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Three Players". MiamiDolphins.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  19. ↑ Masala, Mike (October 24, 2023). "Dolphins activate CB Nik Needham, place OL Isaiah Wynn on IR". Dolphins Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Nik Needham". MiamiDolphins.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Nik Needham - Football". UTEP Miners. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.