Todd McShay calls out potential Nakobe Dean detractors

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean opened up some eyes with an incredibly strong year this past season. Dean is one of the top available linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft, and a likely first round selection. ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has Dean going 15th overall in the his mock draft 2.0 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dean had 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown this season on Georgia’s national title winning defense. In his three-year collegiate career, Dean racked up 168 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

McShay doesn’t want to hear from any Dean critics ahead of the NFL Draft. The ESPN expert compared Dean’s season he just had to some elite company.

“I love Nakobe Dean,” McShay said when recapping his mock draft 2.0. “And then I know that he’s not going to work out well, and everyone’s going to tell me what he can’t do in terms of his length and his size and he’s not going to run an elite 40 time. That’s fine. But I’m just going to trust the tape this past year. That was one of the best linebacking years I’ve seen in a long time, maybe since Luke Kuechly. I mean, that’s how special it was in terms of what he put on tape. So I love that tape for him to go to Philadelphia. They just need more athleticism, they need a difference maker on the second level.”

Dean was the first of two straight Georgia Bulldogs taken by Philadelphia in McShay’s mock draft

The Philadelphia Eagles have three selections in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In McShay’s mock, Philadelphia’s first two picks, which are back-to-back, are both used on Bulldogs defenders. After Dean went to the Eagles at 15th overall, Philadelphia took Georgia EDGE Travon Walker at 16th overall. The Eagles then took Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks at 19th overall.

McShay’s latest mock draft has Dean as the second linebacker off the board. He had Utah’s Devin Lloyd going ninth overall to the Denver Broncos. But McShay has not been shy about praising Dean throughout this process.

“I thought [Dean] was the best defensive player in the country this past year, and I’m talking about Aidan Hutchinson included in that mix,” McShay said. “He was intercepting the ball, pick six there against Florida, sacking quarterbacks sideline to sideline. I love Nakobe Dean and I’ll die on that hill for him, and I would love it if the Eagles get him because they need a linebacker.”

The NFL Draft is set to begin with the first round on April 28.