British tight end Seydou Traore has successfully made the Miami Dolphins' initial 53-man roster, confirming his eligibility to play from the start of the 2026 NFL season. The 24-year-old, drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft in April, marks a significant milestone as the first graduate of England's NFL Academy to reach the NFL.
Despite signing a four-year rookie contract valued at $4.8m (£3.6m), Traore still needed to survive the competitive roster cut, which reduced the squad from 90 or 91 players down to 53. Born in France and raised in London, Traore played for the London Warriors before joining the NFL Academy in 2019, an initiative designed to help international players secure college scholarships and prepare for the NFL.
In related news, Northern Irish kicker Charlie Smyth has been released by the New Orleans Saints, following his NFL debut last season.