What does free-agent signing Nakobe Dean bring to Las Vegas Raiders?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 14: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Las Vegas Raiders needed a lot of help at linebacker heading into free agency , leading the front office to add former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean to the roster . Dean has battled injuries throughout his career, missing 21 regular-season games over four years and all but one postseason contest during the Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl run.

Obviously, staying healthy has been a challenge, but he’s a good player when on the field and brings over a versatile skillset. While 2025 was a down year for the former Georgia Bulldog as a run defender, posting a career low 42. 4 grade in that department from Pro Football Focus , he ranked 15th among linebackers with an 80.

4 mark during the 2024 regular season . The biggest reason for that is he recorded the third-most ‘ defensive stops ’ (38) and had the second-highest run stop percentage (12. 5 percent) at the position.

Against the passing game, Dean doesn’t have much ball production with just one interception and five passes defended in his career. However, he’s excellent at clicking and closing in coverage, racking up 18 stops in 2024 (tied for 17th among linebackers) and 13 in 2025 (tied for 35th). The latter may not seem like much, but he only played in nine games.