The Dallas Cowboys desperately need to address the defense this offseason, especially at the off-ball linebacker position, given the group’s struggles. Kenneth Murray Jr. and Logan Wilson were brought in last season, but both struggled, and neither player is expected to return, with Wilson already cut. The Cowboys should have plenty of cap space because they have restructured/reworked multiple contracts and may restructure and cut additional players, as Jerry Jones promised they would be big spenders in March.
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The Dallas Cowboys are linked to an intriguing talent
Philadelphia Eagles, Nakobe Dean
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean on the red carpet at the Fountains of Bellagio before the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Cowboys are a team to monitor that is interested in signing Nakobe Dean, who would immediately solve their middle linebacker woes and take on the responsibility of wearing the green dot. In this scenario, he would reunite with Christian Parker, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator and former Eagles’ pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. He is an intriguing option because, when healthy, he has shown flashes, including breaking out in 2024. However, Dean has an extensive injury history, having missed 25 total games over the past three seasons.
“The Cowboys are crafting a detailed free agency plan to bolster their defense. The new scheme under coordinator Christian Parker needs replenishment. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is someone to watch as a green-dot player in the middle of the defense,” Fowler said.
Spotrac projects Dean signs a four-year, $32 million contract.
Here’s a quick review of his last three seasons
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Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) before action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Nakobe Dean won the starting job heading into his second season, but missed 13 games due to injuries to both feet. He recorded 30 tackles, two TFLs, and a half-sack across five appearances. Dean suffered a right foot injury in Week 1, causing him to land on injured reserve and miss Weeks 2-5. He returned in Week 6 but suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot in Week 9, costing him the final nine games.
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Dean enjoyed a breakout third season, setting career highs in every statistical category. He recorded 134 tackles, 11 TFLs, three sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 16 appearances. He missed Weeks 17 and 18 due to an abdominal injury and suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon in the Wild Card Round.
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Nakobe Dean sat out the first five games to recover from the knee injury and, upon returning, regained his old starting spot, though he split playing time with rookie Jihaad Campbell. He totaled 61 tackles, seven TFLs, a career high four sacks, one pass deflection, and a career high two forced fumbles across 11 games and nine starts. Dean also missed Weeks 17 and 18 due to a hamstring injury.