Dolphins’ Needham, at a crossroads, addresses status. And what’s left behind post Fangio

The Dolphins have unearthed several undrafted gems in recent years.

None have contributed more than cornerback Nik Needham.

But Needham, an impending free agent, now stands at something of a crossroads after playing limited snaps in his late-October return from an Achilles injury.

Needham, signed out of UTEP after the 2019 draft, made 51 appearances and 27 starts and had six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in 3 ½ seasons for Miami before rupturing his Achilles in October 2022.

He wasn’t activated until Oct. 29 and played just 71 defensive snaps this season, essentially serving as Miami’s seventh or eighth defensive back when everyone was healthy. He played double digits in defensive snaps (12 and 14) only in two blowout wins.

By contrast, he played 617 and 607 snaps in his last two fully healthy seasons, in 2020 and 2021, under Brian Flores.

After working as Miami’s primary nickel corner in 2020 and 2021, Needham never got a serious look for the job this season. The Dolphins remained committed all season to Kader Kohou, who had one of the worst passer ratings against among all NFL cornerbacks.

Needham described his role this past season as “kind of a safety-type position opposite the nickel in dime” packages.

Did he wish he had an opportunity this season to get back his old nickel cornerback job (from Kohou)?

“I haven’t mentioned that at all,” he said. “I know I came in Week 7 and being late to the defense. They’ve already been repping it since OTAs. I knew I would be kind of behind. Whatever they want me to do I’m willing to do. I’m not looking to make a big deal [or anything]. Just looking to help the team.”

He conceded in December that he wasn’t totally the same player as before the injury.

“I wouldn’t say I have everything fully back,” he said in a December conversation. “I would say I am 90, 95 percent. It’s kind of tough to get the full strength back in the calf and Achilles. It usually takes up to 18 months to fully feel like yourself. That’s what I’ve heard from people who have done it previously. I feel a little something here and there.”

Does he feel it when he plants his foot? “No, [it’s more] a burst, but overall I can go out there and play. It’s not really hindering me or restricting me.”

Former coordinator Vic Fangio said in October that he has heard good things about Needham from Dolphins coaches and staffers and was eager to see it.

Did Fangio see the total Needham?

“I feel he’s seen what I can do,” Needham said in December. “I don’t talk to him about me playing more. I’m not trying to create any distractions.”

His ability to play both cornerback and safety should improve his value. And the front office showed faith in him by re-signing him to a minimum contract last March even while knowing it might take half the season to return to game action.

Needham said that general manager Chris Grier never told him whether that contract signified interest in keeping him in 2024. But he would love to stay.

“I love the Dolphins,” he said. “They gave me the best opportunity in the world. I owe them my life. That’s how I feel. I would love to be a Dolphins next year. Whatever happens happens. I know it’s a business as well.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR FALLOUT

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh told The Baltimore Banner on Friday that defensive line coach/assistant head coach Anthony Weaver remains in play for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job.

Among those still available who have reportedly interviewed or been targeted for interviews for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job: Weaver, Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik, former Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, former Chargers coach Brandon Staley and Houston Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin.

Houston-based NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reported that Weaver - who was the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2020, his only year of experience as a coordinator - is expected to get the Dolphins’ job.

What will the Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator be inheriting?

Here’s where Fangio’s defense finished in assorted categories in his only season as coordinator:

▪ Tenth in yards allowed at 318 per game.

▪ Twenty-second in points allowed at 23.0 per game.

▪ Eighth in yards per carry permitted at 3.8 and seventh in rushing yards permitted per game at 97.1.

▪ Fifteenth in passing yards permitted per game at 321.2.

▪ Tenth in yards per play yielded at 10.1.

▪ Fifteenth in first downs yielded at 321.

▪ Fourteenth in interceptions with 15.

▪ Ninth in percentage of drives ending in an offensive score (32.1).

▪ Sixth in fumble recoveries with 12.

▪ Third in sacks with 56 and third in quarterback pressures with 180 and third in pressure percentage on all drop backs (27.7 percent).

▪ Twenty-seventh (least) in blitz percentage. Miami blitzed on only 21.5 percent of opposing quarterback drop backs, per profootballreference.com.

▪ Fourteenth best in penalties with 96.

▪ Twenty-fourth in opposing quarterback rating at 93. The Jackson/Allen perfect games drove up that number. Miami was 18th best in yards gained per completion at 10.9.

▪ Twentieth in third-down conversion defense against at 28.9 (or 13th worst).

▪ Eleventh best in fourth-down conversion defense against at 46.7 (14 for 30).

▪ A poor 28th in red zone percentage defense; opponents scored a TD 64.8 percent of the time they got inside the Dolphins’ 20 yard line. That was worst in the league.

For all the private criticism of Fangio for reasonable reasons (stubborness, unwillingness to shadow receivers, etc.), several players said they appreciate what he taught them.

Raekwon Davis said “I’ve learned so much” playing for Fangio. “It’s been a blessing to be with a veteran guy this year.”

Linebacker Duke Riley expressed gratitude for a year with Fangio.

“I learned a lot, especially from his coaching style and the way he prepares and what he looks for,” he said. “His mind is amazing, how he sees everything and how he prepares for it. Different situations, it’s been a big big learning cycle for me. It’s been incredible [playing for him]. I’ve tried to write down as much as I can. One day, I want to be a coach and there’s a lot of stuff that I’ll use” from him, particularly with how he disguises defenses.

A new coordinator must fix several issues, none bigger than defending the middle of the field. The Dolphins were killed by crossing routes most of the year, and Fangio never found an answer. Dolphins cornerbacks too often gave too much cushion. Inside linebackers were often abused in coverage.

Miami allowed perfect passer ratings to Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in the regular season road games.

Fangio probably should have used more cover zero blitzes at times. In retrospect, he should have blitzed Tennessee quarterback Will Levis a couple of times when he was carving up the Dolphins’ defense on two TD drives, including the game-winner, late in the crushing Monday night loss.

But on balance, the Dolphins defense played well enough to win 13 of 14 games. (The defense cost the team the Titans, first Bills and Ravens games and could have played better in a 31-17 loss at Philadelphia.)

And keep in mind that Miami played 10 games without Jaelan Phillips, 8 without Jalen Ramsey, 6 without Jevon Holland, 5 without Xavien Howard, 5 without Jerome Baker, 2 without Bradley Chubb and the last 1 ½ games without Andrew Van Ginkel, after Miami already had lost Chubb and Phillips.

Whoever gets the job must make that the talents of every player on the roster are maximized, something Fangio didn’t do with Emmanuel Ogbah (who very likely will be cut) and impending free agent safety Brandon Jones, who blitzed only three times all season.