along with 2022 NFL Draft It’s over, it’s time for some movie rooms for this year’s rookie class. In the next few weeks I will try to contact all the players and some UDFAs. There’s obviously a million scouting profiles, so this is just my opinion, but I’ve tried to back up everything I said in the movie clip. I watch a lot of all22 on some rookies, but I can’t share the clips on my own Twitter account (otherwise I risk being blocked), so I sometimes use some other accounts here.back Start with Jordan Davis and Cam Jurgens, we’re turning to fan favorite Nakobe Dean. The next article will be about James Bradbury and then we’ll get back to the rookies!
Advantage
+ Very competitive physique.Playing hard, leadership qualities evident after reading his story
+His speed means he can avoid engaging very strong offensive linebackers and avoid them
His small stature makes it difficult to disengage from a good OL, but his agility allows him to avoid contact with the OL most of the time. He’s one of those players who always seems to be in the backcourt and wreak havoc. pic.twitter.com/nd3UyvdUKX
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ Very good reading game, not just a fast guy.
Nor is he a fast guy without intuition or awareness, only 1 speed. Instead of overtaking the game from behind, he slowed down, found the RB and carried him into a brief gain.he understands the position pic.twitter.com/sZFwmeKnin
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
Now being positive one last time, showing instinct and intelligence again. He won’t be fooled by the misdirection of the backcourt, but will stay in his position to prevent an easy TD from the flat. He’s just a great football player. pic.twitter.com/rU83TYIJ0F
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ Explosive athletes and off-screen speed jumps. Lightning fast. Short area velocity is off the chart.
And then there’s the ridiculous rate of going through the formation from the back to play this kind of play…can’t remember how many Eagles LBs have been able to play this kind of play in the last few years. pic.twitter.com/WycP9IkPa2
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ The ability to change direction/redirect is ridiculous. Very smooth, fluid athlete.
+ Very good area coverage, can quickly drop to a position and bounce back to the ball quickly. Provides a lot of potential camouflage coverage due to his speed.
My favorite part of Dean’s tapes is the versatility he brings to his reporting. He’s a unique LB that will provide Gannon with such an exciting piece to mix coverage.You will immediately see how fast he is able to back up and drop to a position with area coverage and movement pic.twitter.com/TBLh4uFAeT
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
Rotating from this position, you simply won’t have many LBs being asked to get into slot WR’s coverage. He has the speed to help cover up the coverage, and you can see it in the movies all the time. pic.twitter.com/c7loGPoH7A
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
Anyone can run fast, but if you can’t take cover when you get to a position, it’s worthless. Dean has great coverage and is fast enough to help with mixing coverage etc.Here he sprints from the LB position so they can bring the slot machine blitz and he wins pic.twitter.com/gvPNvSY5bT
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ Sufficient size and athleticism to screen running backs and can move to the wing
A little touch, but again you can see the ability to line up with RB and have him cover. He has better instincts in the zone, but you can definitely use him on RB. I’m so excited to see him reporting with Kyzir White! pic.twitter.com/74t8jPGw7s
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
Men also covered? Oh yes, he can do it. Name the last Eagles LB, you feel good about defending RB on the perimeter…he has a good instinct on defense and can play with a running back (although you’re concerned about his size and bigger close end) pic.twitter.com/SnHTVf3DJH
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ Excellent blitzkrieg, knowing when to go and good timing and explosiveness made him a quarterback in no time
Little Nakobe Dean made the topic after watching some movies…I’d love to see how the Hawks use his skills next year because he’s a really good Flash at the LB spot. Before the OL adjustment, he had plenty of speed to shoot, and his steal timing was excellent. pic.twitter.com/79HkfkXBsv
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
Again, the anticipation and timing of the Blitz was perfect. The Eagles didn’t have much blitz on their LB last year, but none of them have the skills Dean has. pic.twitter.com/gZWkg6nzt6
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
In many blitz clips, he looks unblocked, but in reality he just beats OL and shoots through the gap too quickly. He also does a good job of disguising the blitz here, and can blast from a stationary position without having to cheat and get closer to LOS. pic.twitter.com/cu7umrEjxw
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
The game was insane…the amount of time it took him to get to the QB after receiving the ball was absurd. Who was the last Eagles LB with lightning talent? The center has about half a second to capture Dean just flying through the gap pic.twitter.com/fXPhwEbc86
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
And don’t think he’s only quick to win when he’s blitzing…he can take RB and TE (though TE’s attempt is awkward) and get to QB.I hope Gannon gives him the opportunity to chase QBs in every game, otherwise it feels like such talent is wasted pic.twitter.com/5WhJj5QaAI
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 21, 2022
+ Should be a 3down linebacker who doesn’t need to leave the field.
weakness
– Protected by an elite defensive line including Jordan Davis!
– Is he big enough to hold up in leggings and bring them to the seam?You don’t see many examples in the movie
– Missed some too many regular tackles due to flying in and not wrapping cleanly
Totally forgot to add some weaknesses…to be fair, aside from his size and obvious injury issues, there aren’t many.He does miss too many tackles and can definitely improve his technique and finish better pic.twitter.com/Vc7vpbrjsx
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 22, 2022
– Obviously not the biggest or strongest. Measured as a diminutive linebacker. Won’t beat the striker at the point of attack.
Forgot to post this last weakness, so here we go…you can see the build build up and occasionally he’ll struggle to get out of the way in a running race. He’s short and it happens. pic.twitter.com/oWx1vlCjP1
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) May 23, 2022
– Occasionally overrun the game when running outside
overall
I started watching Nakobe Dean and thought he was probably overrated by many fans considering where he was drafted. I quickly changed my mind. Not only is this movie great, it’s a perfect fit for the modern NFL. I’m looking forward to seeing a great Blitz because I’ve already seen Georgia when I watch Jordan Davis, but the variety of coverage and the ability to hit will be critical at the next level. The reporting element of his game surprised me a bit.
I have absolutely no doubt that there was a legitimate injury problem that caused him to fall. Given his size, I think there are concerns about his size, steals, and ability to cover tight ends at the seams, which could lead to his loss in the first round, but he’s unlikely to be without injury issues Lost in the second round. I just don’t see it.
It’s been a long time since the Eagles had an athletic linebacker like Nakobe Dean, and I’m excited to see him play this year. Dean and Kyzir White should also be an excellent covering linebacker duo when it comes to obvious passing.
I think Dean should be a full-time starter early in the season (if not Day 1), and if his body can hold up, I think the Eagles have a huge steal on Day 3. Even if injury issues do arise in the long run, it seems worth a third-round pick because Upside is a good linebacker starter for the modern NFL for years.
