Nakobe Dean was the best linebacker in college football in 2021.
Dean won the Butkus Award, earned Unanimous All-American honors and led Georgia to its first national championship since 1980. Dean, however, was a surprise draft-day slide. He fell to the third round and was selected with the No. 83 pick in the round by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.
Sporting News looks at Dean's slide and whether it was justified.
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Where was Dean projected to be drafted?
Dean had 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions for the Bulldogs last season. He was considered the most-complete linebacker in college football, and was still considered a first-round pick at the NFL Combine.
Dean was projected to go No. 18 in the first round according to Sporting News' seven-round mock draft.
Why did Nakobe Dean slide in 2022 NFL Draft?
Five Georgia defensive players were taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, and Dean wasn't one of them.
As the slide unfolded in the second round, reports of Dean's medical history began to surface:
Per source, Georgia LB Nakobe Dean declined surgery on his shoulder, and it's now a major concern/medical red flag.
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) April 30, 2022
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
Those medical concerns, combined with Dean's 6-0, 225-pound frame were enough to scare some NFL teams.
A total of 10 linebackers were selected ahead of Dean. That list included Georgia teammate Quay Walker, Florida State's Jermaine Johnson II and Utah's Devin Lloyd in the first round. Montana State's Troy Andersen was among the linebackers taken in the second round ahead of Dean.
Could Dean prove the doubters wrong?
Absolutely. Look at Cleveland's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah last season. He slipped to the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft after reports of a heart issue circulated on draft day. Owusu-Koramoah was an All-American standout at Notre Dame.
Owusu-Koramoah landed with the Browns, and he totaled 74 tackles and two forced fumbles. He was one of the bright spots for Cleveland in 2021.
The good news for Dean? He landed in Philadelphia with teammate Jordan Davis, a 340-pound defensive tackle who is teamed with veteran Fletcher Cox. At that point, the Eagles have landed a value pick that will be active in their 4-3 defense.
After that draft-day slide, Dean should be more than motivated with Philadelphia to prove the doubters wrong.
