Insider provides update of Nakobe Dean NFL Draft slide

Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean was awarded the Dick Butkus Award this season, being named college football’s best linebacker. Add on a national championship with the Bulldogs and all signs pointed toward Dean being a top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft pick. However, as it moves into the third round, Dean has not heard his name called yet.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport gave an update on Dean as to why he continues to slide down into the later downs. He said there are injury concerns for the former Georgia defensive leaders, especially since he did not elect for surgery.

“Nakobe Dean, one of the best linebackers in college football, still has not been taken,” Rapoport said. “My understanding this is injuries, including a severe pec strain. He opted not to have surgery which has been the cause for concern for some teams.”

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

Todd McShay defends Nakobe Dean before NFL Draft restarts

Before the second round began on Friday night, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay went to bat for Dean, saying despite some of the measurables, he’s still the best linebacker. Although the injury concerns were known, the severity has not been reported. Even so, McShay loves what Dean can bring to the table.

“I’ve said from the beginning, I am willing to die on the Dean hill and I am dying right now,” McShay said. “I’ve got him ranked No. 19 overall and here we are at the 33rd pick. He might go to 35 or 40. I don’t care where he gets drafted. I just care what he does on film. Just like when I talk to scouts all fall and into the predraft process. Shorter arms, doesn’t have the separation. Yeah, Jonathan Vilma didn’t. Zach Thomas didn’t. He is the blitz instincts of Zack Thomas and the ability to work the edge of a blocker and to get off of blocks.

“When you have size like that, you’ve got to know how to get off of block instinctively. I mean, he graduated with a mechanical engineering degree, and he kind of plays the game like that. understanding the angles and understanding everything he’s doing. He’s two steps ahead of those other linebackers, including Quay Walker, who was a first-round pick last night. So I don’t care if he runs a 4.7 or 4.75, he’s going to play about 4.55 because of his eyes.”