Nickel Cornerback
Nik Needham, as Miami’s primary nickel, played 60% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps this past season. And over those 617 snaps on defense, Needham allowed a passer rating of 95.1, conceded 42 receptions on 64 targets (65.6%) for 548 yards and three touchdowns. By comparison, Needham played 742 snaps in 2019 as a UDFA for Miami and conceded a 111.7 passer rating with 646 yards conceded and a whopping eight touchdowns.
And then there’s the penalties. Miami’s defense was credited with 34 penalties this season and Needham was responsible for 5 of them, plus an additional one penalty that was declined. Only Xavien Howard, who was targeted 101 times (and 37 more times than Needham) accounted for as many total penalties (6). But two of Howard’s were offsetting, making Needham the most penalized defender for the Dolphins in 2020.
With how much sub-package the Dolphins play, this spot needs to be better. Whether that is 2020 rookie Noah Igbinoghene stepping in or another player, the Needham journey is one that needs to come to a close. Needham is a fun story as an undrafted rookie and he made the most of his chance with the Dolphins — and Miami would be fortunate to keep him around as a depth and special teams player. But the talent upgrades around the rest of the defense make his limitations painfully obvious.