Brian Schottenheimer Nakobe Dean
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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler called Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean someone to watch for Brian Schottenheimer and the Dallas Cowboys.
Speculation that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean could land with the Dallas Cowboys in NFL free agency really began to ramp up at the NFL combine this past week. On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler did nothing to slow that speculation.
Instead, Fowler added to it.
The ESPN insider sees the Cowboys making a lot of different moves to improve their defense. But Dean was one of only two potential targets Fowler mentioned by name in his Sunday update.
“The Cowboys are crafting a detailed free agency plan to bolster their defense. The new scheme under coordinator Christian Parker needs replenishment,” Fowler wrote. “Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is someone to watch as a green-dot player in the middle of the defense.
“The Cowboys will monitor the top of the pass-rush free agent options, too. They aren’t guaranteed to spend big, but I believe they will get a pass rusher at some point.”
The other free agent Fowler mentioned was cornerback Jalen Thompson. The ESPN insider wrote he made sense for Dallas as a nickel cornerback.
Dean will be an unrestricted free agent this March after having completed his rookie contract in Philadelphia.
The linebacker posted 55 combined tackles, including seven tackles for loss in 10 games last season. Dean also had six quarterback hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defense.
Cowboys to Pursue Eagles LB Nakobe Dean in Free Agency: Report
A different pundit linking the Cowboys to Dean in free agency has happened about every day at the NFL combine. Fowler was the latest Sunday.
On Thursday, Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr. had a more concrete report connecting the Cowboys to the Eagles linebacker.
“Look for the Cowboys to pursue Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean in free agency,” wrote Hill on X. “He knows Christian Parker’s scheme.”
Parker coached for the Eagles in 2024 and 2025. Dean experienced his best statistical season with Philadelphia during 2024, posting 128 combined tackles with three sacks. Dean also had nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four pass defenses and an interception in 15 contests during 2024.
Parker served as Eagles defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Projecting Dean’s Free Agency Value & Risk
Dean displayed a lot of talent when on the field for the Eagles. But he often dealt with injuries during his four years in Philadelphia.
Dean played just five games in 2023 because of a Lisfranc injury. Then in the NFC wild card round during January 2025, he suffered a patellar tendon tear.
Dean came back incredibly fast from the injury, returning in October. But how the linebacker continues to develop after the injury and whether he can stay healthy going forward are concerns.
For that reason, it’s a little difficult to project Dean’s free agency value. Because of the health concerns, he’s not likely to land a massive contract.
But again, his talent is there. Additionally, it would only take one team falling in love with Dean to greatly raise his market.
Spotrac projected Dean’s market value to be about $31.6 million on a 4-year contract. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper predicted his contract value to be $40 million on a 4-year deal.
Pretty much regardless of price, signing Dean will likely be seen as a major win for Dallas. The Cowboys would begin fixing their defense with such a signing and make a division rival weaker.