Nakobe Dean 2025 IDP Outlook: How will Dean look after the Petellar Tendon Injury

Dean was excellent in 2024, especially paired up with standout Zack Baun, who was the revolutionary change at linebacker that the Eagles needed in 2024, after a horrible 2023 from that position. According to Fantasy Data, he had 143.6 fantasy points, with 128 total tackles, nine TFLs, three sacks, six QB Hits, four passes defended, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

This was his best season in his young career at this point, with him finally getting the opportunity to provide production, and he was able to do that. Still, the injury is expected to limit his chances in 2025, but considering how he has looked so far, he might be ahead of schedule. Here are his 2025 Projections. 

Nakobe Dean’s 2025 Projections

Fantasy Pros has Nakobe Dean with a great projection in 2025, with 220.1 points, with the following stat projections: 110.2 tackles, 1.6 sacks, 0.7 interceptions, 0.5 fumble recoveries, 0.1 defensive touchdowns. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mike Clay has Dean as his 40th-ranked Linebacker in Fantasy this season with the following projections: 169.8 fantasy points, 110 total tackles, eight TFLs, 1.6 sacks, 0.7 interceptions, 0.8 forced fumbles. 

I think his numbers will end up between the Fantasy Pros projections and Mike Clay’s in terms of fantasy points if he proves to be fully healthy. His ballet techniques that he has been using have helped with his recovery quickly enough that he is out of the brace already, and IT’S ONLY MAY! IF Dean does end up starting the season in WEEK 1, which is unexpected, LOOK OUT for him in Fantasy!

Final Thoughts

Nakobe Dean is one of the under-the-radar players in IDP for the linebacker spot in 2025 because of the Petellar injury. But last year showed that when he’s healthy, he can be a viable, productive option in Fantasy Football in the IDP formats. I think Dean will still be productive in 2025 even with this injury, because he is already looking spry in his movements in May, just look at his activity he has done without the brace already. 

He rode a bike in the Eagles Autism Foundation Bike event Last Week, as I type this. Also, in the Eagles Basketball video, at the very end of it, you can see him do a slight hop on the knee in a celebratory fashion. So Dean might be ready earlier than expected, if he is, look out in fantasy. Total Apex Fantasy and Bets will have more Outlooks throughout the offseason.