2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
35
SACKS
0.0
INT
1
FF
0
TD
0
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Melifonwu inked a one-year, $4 million contract with Miami early in free agency, and with both Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer having departed the team, he's locked into a starting gig at safety. Though an ankle issue delayed Melifonwu's debut with the Lions in 2024 until Week 16, he regained a starting role in the team's secondary until a hamstring injury forced him to depart the NFC Championship Game. The 2021 third-rounder played all 17 regular-season games in 2023, though, so he has demonstrated an ability to stay healthy for an entire year. Read Past Outlooks
Able to suit up Week 14
Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is active for Sunday's matchup versus the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Melifonwu battled a pair of injuries this week but was a full participant in every practice. It's therefore no surprise that he'll play against New York despite being deemed questionable on Friday's final injury report. Melifonwu has seen his role on defense increase of late, as he's logged over 50 percent of Miami's defensive snaps each of the past three games, and he posted a season-high seven tackles last Sunday against New Orleans.
Melifonwu battled a pair of injuries this week but was a full participant in every practice. It's therefore no surprise that he'll play against New York despite being deemed questionable on Friday's final injury report. Melifonwu has seen his role on defense increase of late, as he's logged over 50 percent of Miami's defensive snaps each of the past three games, and he posted a season-high seven tackles last Sunday against New Orleans.
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2024 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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2024 Ifeatu Melifonwu Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Ifeatu Melifonwu's measurables compare to other safeties?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* All metrics are from his Pro Day (not the combine).
Height
6' 2"Weight
210 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.48 secShuttle Time
4.36 secCone Drill
7.01 secVertical Jump
41.5 inBroad Jump
134 inBench Press
16 repsHand Length
8.88 inArm Length
32.25 in
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2021 Fantasy Outlook
Despite the Lions having rising cornerbacks on the roster, it apparently was hard to resist adding Melifonwu when he fell to the third round of the draft this spring. Standing 6-3 with a 4.48 40 time, he has the look of a safety but performs well as a press corner. In Detroit, he'll initially slot in behind Jeff Okudah, Quinton Dunbar and Amani Oruwariye at outside cornerback, but Melifonwu looks like a better prospect than the latter two players, and it shouldn't be more than a year or two before he's starting with Okudah. However, you don't have to look further than Okudah to know that young corners may struggle early on, so expectations for Melifonwu should remain in check during his rookie season.
More Fantasy News
Questionable for Sunday
Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.
ANALYSIS
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Cleared to play Week 9
Melifonwu (hand) is active for Thursday's game against the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Questionable for TNF
The Dolphins listed Melifonwu (hand) as questionable for Thursday's game against the Ravens, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
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Listed as limited again
Melifonwu (hand) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
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Estimated as limited Monday
The Dolphins estimated Melifonwu (hand) as a limited practice participant on Monday's report, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Potential bargain for Miami
Daniel Popper of The Athletic believes Melifonwu's contract with the Dolphins could be among the best bargains in the 2025 free-agent class.
ANALYSIS
After losing Jevon Holland in free agency, the cap-strapped Dolphins signed a pair of bargain bin safeties in Melifonwu at $3 million and Ashtyn Davis at $2.5 million. Melifonwu has the higher ceiling of the two and could prove to be one of the most cost-effective signings in the 2025 free-agent class if he can stay healthy. Injuries have limited Melifonwu to 10 or fewer appearances in three of four NFL regular seasons, but he performed well for the Lions when he stayed healthy for all 17 games in 2023.
After losing Jevon Holland in free agency, the cap-strapped Dolphins signed a pair of bargain bin safeties in Melifonwu at $3 million and Ashtyn Davis at $2.5 million. Melifonwu has the higher ceiling of the two and could prove to be one of the most cost-effective signings in the 2025 free-agent class if he can stay healthy. Injuries have limited Melifonwu to 10 or fewer appearances in three of four NFL regular seasons, but he performed well for the Lions when he stayed healthy for all 17 games in 2023.


