Browns sign a veteran cornerback for depth at the spot just 3 days before the NFL draft
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns have added some veteran cornerback depth just three days before the NFL Draft.
They’ve signed seventh-year pro Nik Needham, who spent his first six seasons with the Dolphins after signing with them as an undrafted rookie in 2019 out of UTEP.
Needham, 28, joins a cornerback room that includes Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., Cam Mitchell, Tony Brown II, Myles Harden and Anthony Kendall. He provides the Browns with some depth both on the outside and inside.
Needham (6-1, 196) has played in 63 games for the Dolphins with 27 starts. He’s totaled 199 tackles, six interceptions, 25 passes defensed, three sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery.
He suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in 2022, and is still working his way back into peak form. Last season, he appeared in two games for the Dolphins.
If the Browns get calls on a cornerback such as Newsome on draft weekend, it gives them a chance to be opportunistic. They’re not heading into the weekend with any of their veterans on the trading block, but they will field calls and be open-minded.