Seydou Traore named to Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster

British tight end Seydou Traore has been included in the Miami Dolphins' initial 53-man roster on 31 August 2026. That selection makes him eligible to play from the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The 24-year-old was selected by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft in April. He became the first graduate of England's NFL Academy to complete his pathway to the NFL. Traore signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.8m (£3.6m) but still faced the reduction from 90 or 91 players to 53. He was born in France and raised in London.

Traore is one of four tight ends on the Dolphins' 53-man roster. He played for the London Warriors before joining the NFL Academy in 2019. The academy was set up to help international players earn college scholarships and prepare them for the NFL.

He moved to the United States to attend Clearwater Academy in Florida before enrolling at Arkansas State University in 2021. Traore transferred to Mississippi State University in 2023. He entered the draft earlier this year.

His selection in the draft was announced by former NFL defensive end Efe Obada. Obada also began his journey into American football with the London Warriors.

Northern Irish kicker Charlie Smyth has been released by the New Orleans Saints. He made his NFL debut last season.