Nakobe Dean lands with Eagles in Round 3 after fall due to medical concerns

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 83 overall.

Dean was viewed as one of the top linebackers available after enjoying a monster junior season at Georgia, but medical concerns took a hit to his draft stock.

The 21-year-old has battled multiple injuries lately, including pec, shoulder, and ankle ailments. He recently declined surgery on his shoulder, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Dean was one of the leaders of the Bulldogs' top-ranked defense last season, racking up 72 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

He'll be reunited with former Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis, who the Eagles took 13th overall Thursday.

Scouting profile: Nakobe Dean

The star of a skilled Georgia defense, Dean was arguably the most talented linebacker in college football last season, and it's easy to see why. There isn't another linebacker prospect coming out who has the athleticism that Dean possesses. An elite athlete who plays like he was shot out of a cannon, Dean can make the extraordinary look ordinary. Whether it's coming downhill, sideline-to-sideline, or even backward in coverage, the Georgia product is fluid in all directions. He'll have to prove he can handle bigger, stronger linemen at the next level, but Dean is so explosive that it may be less of a concern than expected. Dean is more of an athlete than a linebacker at this point, but he's got All-Pro potential just waiting to be unlocked.