Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean, who was one of the finest players in college football last season, was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 83rd overall choice in the 2022 NFL draught.
Teams were concerned about Dean’s health issues, particularly a pectoral muscle ailment, according to multiple sources Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. Teams do not believe Dean requires surgery, according to the sources, but there were previously concerns about his size and medical issues.
According to Graziano, Dean’s medical troubles are not considered long-term issues. According to a source, independent doctors cleared Dean, and letters were distributed to teams classifying the injury as a pectoral strain.
If Dean stays healthy, the Eagles may have grabbed one of the best draught picks ever. Dean was a key player for the national champion Bulldogs last season, recording 72 tackles (10.5 for loss), six sacks, and two interceptions.
Dean, a 2021 Butkus Award winner and AP first-team All-American, had 19 pressures as an inside linebacker last season, fourth most in the FBS, according to Information research. He mostly played inside linebacker (74 percent of snaps), although he also played outside and even cornerback on occasion.
Dean recorded 4.5 sacks and a 29 percent pressure percentage in five games versus Associated Press top-10 opponents (9.0 tackles at or behind line of scrimmage in those games).
The Eagles have added a second significant linebacker this summer, after signing former Los Angeles Charger Kyzir White to a one-year contract in free agency.
Dean will be joined in Philadelphia by at least one familiar face, as the Eagles selected fellow Bulldog Jordan Davis in the first round on Thursday.