Barry Jackson: New deal for Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham expected “shortly”

<div><figure> <img alt="Tennessee Titans v Miami Dolphins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6hNAF6f9fs4bxAvxOQoDGkRIabY=/0x0:7648x5099/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73194724/1854980226.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Nik Needham expected to sign new contract with Miami Dolphins soon.</p> <p id="nUop0W">According to esteemed journalist for the Miami Herald, Barry Jackson, the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> are close to finalizing a new contract for impending free agent defensive back Nik Needham. </p> <p id="RvTVoR"></p> <div id="35q66f"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per source, Dolphins want to keep impending FA Nik Needham and a new deal is expected to be finalized shortly. Needham, one of Dolphins' best undrafted rookie signings of this era, can play both cornerback and safety, of course.</p>— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/flasportsbuzz/status/1766559310304116969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2024</a> </blockquote> </div> <p id="v3LbeS"></p> <p id="7PpE04">Jackson notes that the deal is expected to be finalized “shortly.”</p> <p id="EoFYpG"></p> <p id="7FcDez">Originally an undrafted free agent signing with the squad back in 2019, Nik Needham started his 2023 campaign recovering from a torn achilles. He would return to the team midseason, however did not find himself in a starting role. He played in just 10 games in 2023 — totaling only 71 snaps on defense, with an additional 31 snaps played on special teams according to Pro Football Reference. </p> <p id="sOgJ60"></p> <p id="EHj7Rc">Needham’s defensive snap counts have declined each season he’s been in the National Football League, with his highest number of defensive snaps coming during his rookie season in 2019.</p> <p id="pgh6KR"></p> <p id="MoRwEK">His most productive season was in 2021 when he played in all 17 regular season games for the Dolphins. That season he totaled two interceptions, while allowing just a 73.4 passer rating while in coverage. Needham also contributed 59 tackles that year — his highest total for a single season in his career. </p> <p id="t0v9P4"></p> <p id="2ee9dH">We will have contract details for our readers when they are made available. </p> <p id="FvTZtY"></p> <p id="apumyx"></p> <p id="nCtwf4"></p> <p id="R1c6W4"></p></div>