Nakobe Dean was an integral part of the Eagles' defense last season. Across 15 games, the 24-year-old linebacker finished the season with an impressive 128 tackles, six quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks. The former Georgia Bulldog showcased the sideline-to-sideline speed, football IQ, and aggressiveness that once made him a first-round talent on draft boards before injury concerns saw him slip to the third round in 2022.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he tore his left patellar tendon in the wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. The injury not only cut his playoff run short but also cast a shadow over his durability moving forward.
Injuries have plagued Dean since he entered the NFL. In 2023, his sophomore season ended prematurely after suffering multiple foot injuries, including a Lisfranc sprain that ended his season in November.
Still, it’s far too early to count Dean out.
Despite his injury history, Dean is only 24 years old and enters the 2025 season with the motivation to prove that he can stay healthy and produce at a high level. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, if he can return to form, or even come close, he will get a significant pay raise from the $1.4 million (per Spotrac) he is owed this season.
Of course, that all hinges on availability. The best ability in the NFL is availability, and Dean hasn’t had much luck in that department.
That said, Dean’s upside is too good to ignore, and he has proven he can lead a huddle and make plays at all three levels, which is tailor-made for the modern NFL.
Nakobe Dean’s future beyond this season in Philly may be uncertain. But if he can stay on the field this season, he’ll not only re-establish himself as one of the best young linebackers in the NFL— he’ll set himself up for a life-changing second contract.