Why Was Nakobe Dean, Who Happens to Be the Best LB Prospect in This Year’s Draft Selected So Late?

The NFL draft is not just an event where franchises draft college football players to the roster. It is a platform where the coaches make choices trusting the abilities of those youngsters. Finally, the Georgia superstar Nakobe Dean gets drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

It was surprising to see how franchises sidelined him in the first and second rounds of the draft. Going deep into the third round, the Eagles marked their presence by choosing the star linebacker for the team. One of the concerning reasons being his delayed selection is his recent injuries.

Nakobe Dean finally gets a spot in Philadelphia Eagles

After the star linebacker was denied a place in the first and the second round, chances of him getting recruited faded away. According to Ian Rapoport, his sustaining injuries were the prime reason behind it. “My understanding. These are injuries including a severe pec strain. He opted not to have surgery which has been the cause for concern for some teams” Rapoport reported through Twitter. Perhaps, the 21-year-old entered the draft with more injuries than anybody else in the class.

One of the biggest surprises through two rounds is that #Georgia star LB Nakobe Dean has not been selected. The injury to his pec is one reason why. pic.twitter.com/JIaePTzHrQ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2022

Surprisingly, the Eagles had wiped players off their board for medical concerns before. But the team seemed comfortable in recruiting Dean to the roster. Well, this brewed speculations over the legitimacy and the depth of injury the linebacker is suffering from. However, it is predicted that Dean will miss some significant time with the team.

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He will be joining the linebacker room with players including T.J. Edwards, who is coming off a career year, and free-agent pickup Kyzir White. The list also includes Taylor and Shaun Bradley coming back as top backups. Moreover, Dean will have the opportunity to unite with his Georgia teammate Jordan Davis. The duo helped the Bulldogs win a national title in 2021.

What makes Dean so significant?

In a very short period, the linebacker accomplished as a successful leader and captained one of the best defenses in college football. He was the All-American and Butkus Award winner in 2021.

Dean recorded 72 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions during his final college season. In 2020, he had 71 tackles to lead the Bulldogs in his first year as a starter.

“I feel like my mindset,” Dean said at the combine. “I feel like my mindset, and my mentality that goes into things separates me from everybody else,” Dean added. Well, the time will show how much impact he creates on the team.

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