Nik Needham

Nik Needham's Biography

Nikolas James Needham, born November 4, 1996, is a dedicated athlete with commendable commitment to his profession as a professional football defensive back. He enjoys an illustrious career with the Miami Dolphins, a team in the National Football League (NFL). Needham’s journey to professional football began with his early love for the sport, which was cultivated and honed during his college football days at UTEP.

As a high school student at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, Needham’s eye-catching performance on the football field positioned him as an outstanding player. He showcased his skill by playing positions as both a defensive back and a wide receiver during the 2013 season. Needham’s stellar performances led to him being honored as the 2013 first-team All-Freeway League. Further, he averaged an impressive 87.7 yards per game. His talent did not go unrecognized as he was a two-star recruit on Scout.com and was ranked as the 74th cornerback in the nation on 247Sports.

Earning a place in the UTEP Miners was a significant advancement in Needham’s career. Over five seasons with the Miners, he honed his skills and strategy, gaining more experience and expertise in the game. Taking advantage of a redshirt year during his freshman season, Needham devoted his college years to improving his technique and understanding of the game. The athlete finished his collegiate journey with 213 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. In a remarkable achievement, he set a school record by breaking up 33 passes in 41 games played.

Needham’s professional journey took a significant leap when he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2019. Even though he was waived as part of the final roster cuts on August 31, he managed to secure a place on the team’s practice squad the next day.

Needham’s dedication and persistence paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on October 12. He made his NFL debut the very next day, demonstrating his skill on the field against the Washington Redskins. Starting as a cornerback, he finished the game successfully with one tackle and a pass defended.

Competing against the New York Jets in Week 9, Needham managed to record a team-high nine tackles and secured a sack on Sam Darnold in a 26-18 win.

November 10 brought Needham his first career interception against the Indianapolis Colts, solidifying his standing within the Dolphins. He picked off a pass from Brian Hoyer in the fourth quarter, helping the Dolphins to secure a 16-12 win.

Following this success, he faced the New York Giants in Week 15. In a moment of crucial play, he intercepted a pass thrown by Eli Manning, proving his prowess yet again. He concluded his rookie season with impressive stats: 54 tackles, a sack, one forced fumble, and a team-high 11 passes defended, including two interceptions, in just 12 games played.

During Week 10 of the 2020 season, Needham’s performance against the Los Angeles Chargers saw him record his first season sack on Justin Herbert, contributing to a 29-21 win.

Needham’s journey with the Dolphins continued as he signed a one-year contract on April 19, 2021, after being given an exclusive-rights free agent tender by the team.

Unfortunately, his journey was briefly interrupted in October 2022 due to a torn Achilles tendon. However, demonstrating his commitment, he re-signed with the Dolphins in March 2023. He took time off to heal from the injury by being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the 2023 season and was activated later in October.

In 2024, Needham’s journey with the Dolphins continued as he re-signed with the team. Needham was momentarily released in August but was promptly re-signed to the practice squad.

Behind this successful athlete are his supportive parents, Steve Calhoun and Shannon Needham. As an only child, he attributes his success to his parents’ continuous support and encouragement, which has significantly influenced his professional football career.