Eagles news: Nakobe Dean’s expectations, four low-risk signings
How good can Nakobe Dean be at the professional level? We first asked that question while he and his Georgia Bulldogs teammates marched to a College Football Playoff National Championship win, not knowing, at the time, whether or not he’d wind up on the Philadelphia Eagles‘ roster.
There were questions, many of them. Becoming the first player to win the Butkus Award as a prep AND collegiate star and earning a Unanimous All-American nod in 2021 did little to change that.
Some said he was certain to be a star at the professional level. Others said he benefited by having so much NFL talent on the field with him. Regardless of what side of that argument you supported, none of us could end our conversations involving his name.
Eagles news: Nakobe Dean discusses the coming season.
Expected by most to be a first-round selection, he was invited to Caesars Forum with the other top prospects of the 2022 draft class, but he wouldn’t hear his name called until Round 3.
His rookie season equated to a redshirt campaign. Some said, with T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White present, that he wasn’t needed as an early contributor. Others whispered he was struggling to master the playbook.
How good can he be? We won’t have to wait much longer to learn the answer, but it sounds like the former Dawg is ready for action. It sounds like he isn’t phased by the pressure.
"I’m looking forward to being the best version of myself, you know? I feel like all my goals I got is lined up for the season. If I’m the best version of myself, the absolute best version of myself, I can accomplish every single one. So, that’s what I’m working towards now in this offseason. That’s what I’m looking to, having fun. I remember when I was in high school, they were like ‘you’re never going to have as much fun playing ball as you are now’, and I got to college (and) I was like ‘I don’t know now. I had fun playing in college’. Then, somebody said, you’re not going to have as much fun as you (are now), and then, I get to the league, we (have to) connect the team. Even though it was my first year and we (had to) connect the team, we made it to the Super Bowl and I had a time. (I just) have to continue to have fun, make plays, fly around, and play the game I love."
Those were the words of a confident second-year linebacker as he hung out on Real Talk with Ryland Goede and Tate Ratledge for their 23rd episode. Check out the full interview below and subscribe to their YouTube channel. Check out the full episode below.
Here’s the best part of all of this. He isn’t going to have to go it alone.
More Eagles news: The details of a quartet of low-risk signings are announced.
The expected first spike of free agency came quickly, and yes, the Eagles were hit hard. They maintained much of their veteran talent, but many of the young guys are gone. To fill some of the holes that were left, they went to work and acquired some low-risk, potential high-reward players. We have since learned the details of their deals. Here’s an update.
Cornerback Greedy Williams
- One year, $1.35 million
- Base salary: $1.08 million, $600k guaranteed
- $100k signing bonus
- Potential to earn up to $170k in roster bonuses
- Cap hit: $1.29 million
- $10,000 per game active bonus
Linebacker Nicholas Morrow
- One year, $1.15 million
- Base salary: $1.08 million
- $50,000 roster bonus, $25,000 workout bonus
- Cap hit: $1.015 million
- $50,000 Week 1 bonus
Safety Justin Evans
- One year, $1.59 million
- Base salary: $1.08 million, $600k guaranteed
- $250k signing bonus, $229,412 GM/roster bonus
- Cap hit: $1.55 million cap hit
- Per game active bonus: $15,294
Safety Terrell Edmunds
- One year, $2 million
- Base salary: $1.08 million, $600K guaranteed
- $250K signing bonus
- Potential to earn up to $670K in roster bonuses and up to $850K in team/personal incentives
- Cap hit: $1.88 million
- $39,411 per game active bonus
Vice president/general manager Howie Roseman is doing work, but that shouldn’t surprise us, should it?
