The Eagles have a lot of new players in vital positions, but the most crucial role will be held by former Georgia All-American linebacker, Nakobe Dean.
With T.J. Edwards (Bears) and Kyzir White (Cardinals) departing via free agency, it’ll be on Dean to set the pace at the linebacker position.
PhilaGeorgia Bull Dogles LB @NakobeDean joins the breakfast table!
He speaks on his alma mater and former roommate Nolan Smith @Eagles pic.twitter.com/kWOMoj96a7
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) May 19, 2023
During a Friday appearance on Good Morning Football, Dean talked Philadelphia being the “hunted” and gave insight into Howie Roseman’s decision to draft five Georgia players over a two year period.
Nakobe Dean on being hunted
Dean had success at Georgia and knows what it’s like to get the opposing team’s best shot on a weekly basis. Dean isn’t buying that notion, saying Philadelphia is doing all the hunting despite the huge target on their backs.
“We’ve got a lot of underdogs on the team, a lot of people who play with a lot of chips on their shoulders, so we’ll never sit back and act like we’re the one with the targets on our backs,” he said. “… We don’t look at it like we’ve got the target on our back. We look at it like we’re the ones out there hunting.”
Dean on Howie Roseman
Philadelphia has drafted five Georgia defenders over the past two years and that’s not by coincidence. Dean was asked about the Eagles GM targeting Bulldogs, and he chalked it up to Roseman choosing the best player available.
“I think our GM, Howie Roseman, did a good job drafting those guys this year. I think he picked the best available guys,” Dean said. “I don’t think he’s got a thing for Georgia [players], especially being from Florida. I think he picked the best available guys. He called me a lot asking about those guys — Kelee, Jordan and Nolan. I want to feel like I had something to do with it. … After the draft, I sent him a little ‘Go Dawgs.'”