Nakobe Dean is coming to Detroit. Then we'll see if he returns.
The All-American linebacker from Georgia and potential first-round pick said this week he only has one top-30 visit on the docket ahead of next month's draft.
"I got one set up with the Detroit Lions, and I think that’s it for me," Dean told the Georgia Bulldogs Extra podcast. "As far as I know, there are no other visits that have been set up for me.”
The Butkus Award winner last season as the top linebacker in the country, Dean could also be the top linebacker in the draft. He and Utah's Devin Lloyd are considered the two best prospects at the position. Dean is projected to go in the back half of the first round; the Lions pick at No. 32 and again at No. 34. They also pick second overall.
Though a bit undersized for his position at 6'0, Dean would add much-needed speed and athleticism to the linebacker corps in Detroit. He was the heart of the nation's No. 1 scoring defense last season, leading the national champion Bulldogs in tackles for loss (10.5) and finishing second in tackles and sacks (6.0). He also had two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
In short, he was everywhere.
"Dean's range at the linebacker position is unparalleled in this draft class," says Pro Football Focus. "He’s not only straight-line fast, but he also processes and reacts with elite quickness."
"Explosive, three-down linebacker with the demeanor and quickness to become a volume tackler while holding down third-down duties at a high level," says NFL.com.
Each NFL team can officially host up to 30 prospects for interviews and physicals ahead of the draft. Dean said he also had a recent local visit with the Falcons. His meeting with the Lions could prove crucial after a pectoral injury kept him from participating in most workouts at the combine and Georgia's pro day.
Dean said "getting hurt kind of set me back (in the pre-draft process), but my body is starting to feel back to 100 percent. ... I’m moving well and everything is looking up."
He's also had Zoom conversations with various NFL teams and said "they just want to hear me talk ball and basically want to see if I can be that alpha on their defense, make all the calls and checks to get everyone in the right positions."
In addition to Dean, the Lions have reportedly scheduled (or held) top-30 visits with Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker and cornerbacks Derek Stingley of LSU and Ahmad Gardner of Cincinnati.