Nik Needham

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.

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
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-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 s 1.64 s 2.63 s 4.20 s 6.90 s 30.5 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]

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.