I’ve seen a few “respectable” mock drafts give us Nakobe Dean at #32. I think it’s possible and I would be elated. I’m not as interested in his non-existent combine and pro day numbers as I am for other players because he demonstrates elite numbers from the slivers of his film I’ve seen. His play recognition shows up too.
I also think he’ll be gone at #32.
I’ll concede that Nakobe’s numbers would be comparable to Troy Andersen, who has less experience at LB, played against lesser competition, was less protected by his surrounding cast, and showed similar play recognition, though perhaps against less nuanced offenses.
I think Troy Andersen will be the more dominant NFL player by 2023. Again, I’m not in the least dismissing Nakobe Dean as trash.
But in an apparently deep LB class, I see getting either Troy or Nakobe at #32 as a steal by historic standards. Both Jamin Davis (one year production) and Leighton Vander Esch (small school) went at #19, so…