In his first 2022 NFL mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has the Denver Broncos selecting Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean with the ninth overall pick in the first round (subscription required for link).
With Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young all scheduled to become free agents this spring, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver address the linebacker position this offseason.
Dean (6-0, 225 pounds) totaled 168 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown in three seasons (36 games) with the Bulldogs. He earned unanimous first team All-American honors in 2021 and won the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.
