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Nakobe Dean signs rookie contract with Philadelphia Eagles
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nakobe Dean, who is most known this offseason for his surprising drop in the NFL Draft, has signed his rookie contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dean, the former Georgia linebacker, signed a four-year deal worth $5,186,894, Eagles Wire reported. The 5-foot-11, 231-pound Dean was drafted in the third round after he was expected to go much earlier. Dean’s medical history emerged as somewhat of a storyline as pectoral and knee injuries appeared to cause him to drop. Dean has denied any medical issues, and he was a full participant in the team’s rookie minicamp.
In response to the slide, Dean said, “It’s definitely going to stick with me, but it’s not my primary, or my secondary motivation … It’s definitely something that’s going to stick with me throughout my playing career.”
Georgia fans, and some SEC fans, have said that if Dean remains healthy, the Eagles could have landed one of the biggest steals in the draft. Dean was an integral leader for the national champion Bulldogs, and he collected 72 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6 sacks and 2 interceptions last season.
A 2021 Butkus Award winner and AP first-team All-American selection, Dean generated 19 pressures when lined up as an inside linebacker last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, the fourth most in the FBS. He primarily played inside linebacker (74 percent of snaps) but showed versatility playing outside and even at cornerback at times.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
