Another player released by the New Orleans Saints in their opening wave of roster cuts has found a new squad: defensive back Deatrick Nichols, who will join the Miami Dolphins. The move was announced by Nichols’ representatives at Agency 1 Sports Group and the Dolphins on Twitter.
Nichols starred for the short-lived XFL’s Houston Roughnecks earlier this year, pacing the upstart league with three interceptions in five games. When the XFL shuttered its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nichols landed with the Saints. But he didn’t get a fair shake in training camp, having been released weeks before practices began in earnest.
Now he has a new opportunity with the Dolphins, playing in his Miami hometown. But he’ll have to seriously impress in training camp to crack their opening-day roster: the Dolphins boast one of the best three-deep depth charts at cornerback around the league between Xavien Howard, splashy free agent signing Byron Jones, and first-round draft pick Noah Igbinoghene.
He’ll join backup nose tackle Taylor Stallworth as the second player released by the Saints this month to land on his feet. Stallworth accepted an offer with the Indianapolis Colts after being courted by half a dozen teams in free agency.
From a purely analytical perspective, it’s a shame that the Saints weren’t able to trade either player for a late-round draft pick if there was so much interest in their services; but it’s in the players’ interest to decide their own future and choose the best option for them. Hopefully it works out for them.
