Nik Needham won’t have to wait until after the draft to search out his next deal. The veteran cornerback signed with the Browns on Monday, per a team announcement.
Needham saw his role and playing time fluctuate over the course of his time in Miami. The previous UDFA handled a snap share of 89% in 2019 and 78% in 2022. In between, he served as a key (but less involved) figure within the Dolphins’ secondary. The past two seasons played out much in a different way, nonetheless.
After playing on an RFA tender in 2022, Needham saw sparse usage on defense and special teams the next 12 months. The 28-year-old remained in Miami for last season, but he was among the many Dolphins’ final roster cuts. Needham was quickly retained on the practice squad and he made a pair of appearances in 2024. His departure won’t make as much of an impact as it might have earlier in his profession, but losing Needham nevertheless represents one other member of the secondary which isn’t any longer in place for Miami (like Kendall Fuller,who was released) or who could soon be on the move (within the case of trade candidate Jalen Ramsey).
Needham has seen time at outside corner, within the slot and (occasionally) as a box safety. He could due to this fact compete for a variety of roles in a backup capability upon arrival with the Browns. Cleveland still has Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome under contract at corner, with the identical being true of safety Grant Delpit. Rodney McLeod played a key role last season, but he is predicted to retire and has due to this fact not been re-signed. Safety represents a necessity ahead of the draft, and the signing of Needham – whose 2022 campaign was ended by an Achilles tear – won’t affect the team’s plans at that spot.
The Browns entered Monday with just over $19MM in cap space. Much of that figure will should be dedicated to signing the team’s incoming rookie class, but Needham will give Cleveland a low-cost option within the secondary no matter how the draft shakes out.
