ScoutIndex

TB TB

Ifeatu Melifonwu

SAF

Ifeatu Melifonwu came into the league as a 3rd-round selection (101st overall) in 2021, drafted out of Syracuse. Now with TB, he's in his 6th NFL season. Last season's 46.0 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 46th percentile among DEFs, below average for the position.

Size

6'3", 210#

College

Syracuse

Draft

Rd 3, 101st overall (2021)

Seasons

2021–2026

2023 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
79.5

96th percentile among DEFs

9 games

Splash plays×0.15+0.85
Pass rush×0.3+1.06
Ball skills×0.25+2.75
Run defense×0.2+0.76
Availability×0.1-0.18

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026TB36.13
2025MIA4614
2024DET51.53
2023DET79.59
2022DET53.64
2021DET43.86

Career profile

Across 6 NFL seasons on file, Ifeatu Melifonwu has played in 39 regular-season games, playing for 3 teams: DET (2021–2024), MIA (2025), TB (2026).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2023: a 79.5, in the 96th percentile among DEFs that year.

2023 splits

regular season

2023 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonLAR——
PostseasonTB——
PostseasonSF——
Week 3ATL—66.8
Week 4GB—41.4
Week 6TB—39.7
Week 8LV—39.5
Week 14CHI—39.8
Week 15DEN—88.6
Week 16MIN—99
Week 17DAL—68
Week 18MIN—59.2

Ifeatu Melifonwu — common questions

What position does Ifeatu Melifonwu play?
Ifeatu Melifonwu is listed as an SAF.
Which teams has Ifeatu Melifonwu played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Ifeatu Melifonwu has played for DET (2021–2024), MIA (2025), TB (2026).
Where did Ifeatu Melifonwu go to college?
Ifeatu Melifonwu played college football at Syracuse.
When was Ifeatu Melifonwu drafted?
Ifeatu Melifonwu was selected in round 3, 101st overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Ifeatu Melifonwu scored?
Ifeatu Melifonwu has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Ifeatu Melifonwu's ScoutIndex Rating?
Ifeatu Melifonwu rated 36.1 for 2026, the 21st percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2021

Also from Syracuse