One of the prospects who fell much farther down the board than expected in last month’s draft signed his rookie contract. The Eagles announced on Monday that they inked third-round linebacker Nakobe Dean to his first NFL deal.
Dean enjoyed a highly productive three-year career at Georgia. His sophomore campaign saw him make 71 tackles, as he grew into an integral role on the team’s defense. That was followed up by an improved performance in 2021; he posted 72 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss. He also added six sacks and a pair of interceptions.
Seen by many as the engine driving the Bulldogs’ lights-out defense, Dean was one of many members of the unit to receive notable accolades. He won the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, in addition to being named a consensus First-Team All-American in 2021. That had him pegged as no worse than the second-best inside ‘backer in the class and led to him being widely projected as a first-round pick.
However, teams were hesitant to draft Dean for two main reasons. The first was related to health concerns; many believed that pectoral surgery would cost him his rookie season, though there are early indications that may not be the case. The second had to do with his measurables – a 5-foot-11, 220-pound frame coupled with an underwhelming 40-yard dash time led to concerns about his potential at the NFL level.
While Dean therefore had to wait much longer the rest of his college teammates to hear his name called, the Eagles were able to acquire a potential steal in the third round. He will have the chance to continue playing behind defensive tackle Jordan Davis, whom Philadelphia selected with its top pick, while playing a role in a revamped Eagles LB room.
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