The Miami Dolphins keep moving ahead of the start of free agency on March 16, as the team placed a second-round bid on restricted free agent cornerback Nik Needham, according to Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.
This tender means any team interested in signing Needham would give the Dolphins a second-round pick if they did. If no team pursues him, he will be on Miami’s books for $3.9 million in 2022.
At 25, Needham has worked his way up the Dolphins’ depth chart, going from an undrafted fringe free agent to a decent nickel cornerback on a defense that has tried to bring in veterans to fill that role. The versatility he has shown helping with security is also a plus.
In 2021, Needham had a career-high 59 tackles, along with five passes defended, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He also had a career-lowest passer rating allowed last season, as he finished with a 73.4.
Needham may have leaked his reaction on Twitter ahead of the report’s release.
😁😁😁
—Nik Needham (@FOETYY) March 11, 2022
If the Dolphins can keep Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Nik Needham together for 2022, Miami once again has talented cornerback room to build a defense around.
