British tight end Seydou Traore has been chosen by the Miami Dolphins with the 180th overall pick in the NFL Draft, marking a historic moment as the first player to be drafted through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing 244lb, Traore has an impressive physical presence. Born in France and raised in London, Traore relocated to Florida in 2020, where he first played 11 v 11 football. His college career was notable, with 131 receptions for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards after each catch.
Miami's general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, described Traore as a 'raw, athletic ball of clay' with immense potential for growth. Having played football for a relatively short period, Traore's selection in the fifth round was seen as an attractive value by the Dolphins. He joins a talented group of tight ends, including Greg Dulcich and Will Kacmarek.
In his two seasons at Mississippi State, Traore caught 69 passes, with a personal best of five touchdowns last season. This marks the Dolphins' second tight end draft pick this year. In another notable move, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Uar Bernard, a Nigerian player without prior NFL experience, with the 251st overall pick. Bernard expressed his excitement, stating that his hard work has led to a 'dream come true' and that he believes he will improve daily through drills and training.