Nik Needham, Miami Dolphins
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Former Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The New York Jets have added some reinforcements to the defensive back room.
Gang Green announced on social media that they have signed veteran Nik Needham to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, the Jets have parted ways with placekicker Harrison Mevis, better known as “The Thiccer Kicker.”
We’ve signed DB Nik Needham to the practice squad and released K Harrison Mevis from the practice squad.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 16, 2025
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Needham, 28, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins.
Jets Add Some Experience to the Defensive Backfield
Needham has appeared in 63 games and has made 23 starts in his NFL career. With those opportunities, he has registered six interceptions, 25 pass deflections, one forced fumble, three sacks, three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and has racked up 200 total tackles.
On top of his defensive prowess, Needham has also factored into special teams throughout his career. He has contributed 249 total special teams snaps across his six years in the league.
Most recently, Needham spent the offseason with the Cleveland Browns from the draft through final roster cuts.
Insiders Explain Jets’ Recent Activity
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed the reason why the Jets are combing through the available options in the defensive backfield.
“With a banged-up secondary (Michael Carter II and Tony Adams), the #Jets worked out 8 DBs today: Jaden Davis, Thomas Graham, Richie Grant, Arthur Maulet (former Jet), Tanner McAlister, Jalen Mills (former Jet), Nik Needham (signed to PS), and Duke Shelley,” Cimini revealed on social media.
With a banged-up secondary (Michael Carter II and Tony Adams), the #Jets worked out 8 DBs today:
Jaden Davis, Thomas Graham, Richie Grant, Arthur Maulet (former Jet), Tanner McAlister, Jalen Mills (former Jet), Nik Needham (signed to PS) and Duke Shelley.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 16, 2025
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Jets Defense Is Much Better Than They Have Displayed Thus Far
The ESPN NFL Nation reporters were recently given a prompt to play fact or fiction with a surprising trend that has taken place through the first two weeks.
For the Jets, it is their defense being ranked “21st in yards allowed [and] 30th in points allowed.”
“Mirage. They’re not this bad on defense. They have 14 holdovers from a defense that finished fourth in yards allowed, so you know there’s talent. They have former All-Pros on all three levels — tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker Quincy Williams, and cornerback Sauce Gardner. Part of the problem is they’re still learning a new defense, a hybrid system that blends schemes used by coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Shoddy tackling isn’t helping matters,” Cimini bluntly explained.
In other words, the Jets are too talented to consistently play this poorly. Head coach Aaron Glenn called this an “instant coffee league” when talking about expectations and things turning it around. The defense deserves some time and grace as they’re figuring this thing out, but it has to happen sooner rather than later.
If you’re a Jets fan looking for optimism, your head coach, Aaron Glenn, is a defensive guy. In theory, he should be able to fix those issues based on his sterling resume of fixing defenses in the past.