The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a deal with linebacker Nakobe Dean, per his agent Mike McCartney. It’s a three-year, $36 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Nakobe Dean Heads to Vegas
The Raiders bolster their front seven with the addition of Nakobe Dean, who is ranked 39th on Blitz Sports Media’s top 300 players in free agency.
“When healthy, Dean offers blitzing upside, totaling seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss over the past two years. He plays with aggression and downhill instincts. At 25, he still has developmental runway remaining. Dean enters free agency as a talented but health-dependent linebacker with clear upside.”
Dean was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd-round pick (83rd overall) of the 2022 draft out of the University of Georgia. Over his four-year career in Philadelphia, he totaled 226 tackles (141 solo), 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 5 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.
When given the opportunity, Dean is an effective pass rusher. Last season, he produced an elite 92.3 Pro Football Focus pass rush grade, which ranked 3rd among 88 qualified linebackers. Dean posted an eye-popping 40.7% pressure rate while rushing the passer, per NFL Pro. His 4.0 sacks in 2025 were a career-high.
In Las Vegas, Dean will reunite with linebackers coach Ronell Williams, who was with the Eagles from 2023- 2025.
–Follow Dan Loya on X @DLoya_NFL
