A second Orange DB is off the free agency board and heading to the AFC East
Just a day after fellow Syracuse Orange alum Andre Cisco signed with the New York Jets, his fellow 2021 NFL Draftee is heading to a division rival.
25-year-old DB Ifeatu Melifonwu, who spent the first four years of his career with the Detroit Lions, has signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the news first.
Iffy had an injury-riddled 2024-25 season, appearing in only four games – three plus the Divisional Round – for the Lions. He recorded 12 tackles (eight solo) and one sack.
The ‘Phins got Melifonwu on a prove-it deal, hoping he can rebound to 2023 numbers. During that career year, Iffy played in all 17 regular season games, plus the Lions’ three postseason contests, amassing 49 tackles (35 solo), five sacks, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. His PFF pass coverage grade was an above average 75.8 between the regular and post seasons, and he primarily played free safety after originally being drafted as a corner.
Iffy was a 3rd Round Pick (101st Overall) by Detroit – the same round that ‘Cuse teammate Cinco was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his Orange career, Melifonwu recorded a combined 89 tackles, 21 pass breakups, and three interceptions.
He is the third Syracuse alum to be signed to an NFL contract this offseason, along with Cisco and Tommy DeVito.