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Dallas Cowboys’ Prospect Spotlight: LB Nakobe Dean

By Brandon Martinez

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (LB11) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (LB11) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Nakobe Dean’s Weaknesses

Size: The biggest knock on Dean is his physicals. His height and length aren’t ideal for a linebacker, and some say a switch to safety could be more beneficial if the linebacker position doesn’t work out in the NFL. This will also hinder his ability to shed blocks, especially when linemen move up to the second level.

Man Coverage: While most of what linebackers do in coverage includes covering their zone, they are also tasked with covering tight ends and sometimes slot receivers in some man-to-man plays. The Bulldog isn’t great when it comes to man coverage which has to do with losing sight of the ball and (depending on his speed) making up for any lost separation rather than sticking with his man.

Awareness: When you have the lateral movement and speed that Dean has, it can be easy to depend on those attributes to make plays. His awareness isn’t bad, but a lack of awareness and poor pursuit lanes on some plays causes him to overrun the ball-carrier. This should be fixed relatively easily but for now, it is a flaw.

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