Nakobe Dean helps force fumble on goal line to prevent Browns TD

Former Georgia star Nakobe Dean is expected to have a breakout season this year for the Philadelphia Eagles. He sat on the bench for much of his rookie year last season. But he’s shown in the preseason that he’s ready to make an impact for the Eagles this year. On Thursday night, Dean helped to force a fumble near the goal line to prevent a touchdown from Cleveland’s John Kelly Jr.

Check out the play below.

Dawgs gotta eat #CLEvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xQf6Fc3Hen

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 17, 2023

The Browns and Eagles are currently playing on NFL Network.

For more on Dean and his new role in the Philadelphia Eagles defense, check out this excellent article below from On3’s Nick Kosko.

Former Georgia star Nakobe Dean is the new man in the middle for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense.

The MIKE LB stepped into the starting role at training camp and the veterans had to get used to a new voice, literally. NBC Sports’ Dave Zangaro spoke to Dean and the linebacker’s Mississippi lingo actually threw some guys off.

But on a more serious front, the Eagles’ defensive stars are adjusting to the young back taking over for TJ Edwards.

“That’s the biggest thing, get used to hearing that voice,” Fletcher Cox said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It’s a new voice, obviously. I heard T.J.’s voice for years so just getting used to hearing Nakobe and he’s a little more soft-spoken so you gotta kind of pay attention until you get used to it.”

Dean was a third round pick out of Georgia last season and seen as a steal due to some injury concerns. Without those concerns, he likely goes in the first round like Georgia teammate Jordan Davis, who enters Year 2 with the Eagles.

“Same old Kobe. That’s the Kobe I know,” Davis said. “Just seeing him take over the huddle and commanding the defense, he’s like the QB of the defense. Everything he say, go. It’s nothing new to me. 

“It’s just good to see him, we’re back out there getting a good feel for each other. And it’s the time to do it. This is where the team really starts to gel and connect together and then that’s when it’ll carry us on into the season.”

Dean and Davis were joined by Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo from this year’s draft class. It’s an entire Georgia reunion in Philadelphia.

They all should make their mark on defense this season. But it’s Dean who went from backup linebacker and special teamer to basically a commander on defense.

“I’m excited for him,” Eagles pass rusher Josh Sweat said. “He’s already taken control from the calls and just knowing everything and getting everybody on the same page. You can tell he’s done it before, you can tell he’s a leader. He’s going to do big things and he’s going to be big for us. But he knows he’s ready.”

Dean logged just 13 tackles and one for loss last season. Those numbers should certainly go up in 2023. He’ll have a chance under new defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

“He won’t allow us to have a death by inches,” Dean said of Desai. “He won’t let something little that might not seem like it matters or might not seem like is pertinent at the time, he won’t let it slide. Because if he lets that slide, something else slides and then something else slides. It’s like a slippery slope. He holds us accountable, and he expects everybody else to hold each other accountable.”

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.