The Denver Broncos are heading into a pivotal offseason, and there’s no hiding from the fact: linebacker is one of their most glaring needs. With the Russell Wilson dead cap situation finally in the rearview mirror - a financial burden that stretched across 2024 and 2025 and totaled $85 million - Denver has fresh flexibility to reshape its roster. And with the team eyeing a return to serious playoff contention, the time to make bold, calculated moves is now.
Linebacker isn’t the only area that needs attention. Running back, wide receiver, and tight end also remain question marks despite being addressed in last year’s offseason cycle.
But if Denver wants to take the next step - not just getting back to the postseason, but making a real run - they’ll need more than patchwork solutions. They need impact players.
Enter Nakobe Dean.
The former Georgia standout and current Philadelphia Eagle might not be the first name on every fan’s free agency wish list, but he’s a name that deserves serious consideration. Dean was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and while his NFL journey has been rocky at times - primarily due to injuries - the flashes of talent have been undeniable.
Let’s talk about the health concerns first, because they’re real. Dean has missed 21 games over his first four seasons and has only played a full 17-game slate once.
In 2024, he suited up for just 10 games. But when he was on the field, he made his presence felt.
Dean racked up 128 total tackles, three sacks, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four passes defended, and an interception. That’s the kind of stat line that jumps off the page - production that speaks to his range, instincts, and versatility.
Coverage ability? Dean held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 88.8 when targeted this season, according to PFF.
That’s a solid number, especially when you consider that Alex Singleton - one of Denver’s current starters - allowed a rating of 109.6 in coverage. The Broncos have been searching for a linebacker who can hold his own in space for years now.
Dean might just be that guy.
There’s also the age factor. Dean is only 25, which means Denver wouldn’t just be filling a hole - they’d be investing in a player who could grow with the team.
According to Spotrac, his projected market value sits around four years, $31.6 million - roughly $7.9 million annually. That’s a reasonable price tag for a player with his upside, especially considering Denver’s current cap flexibility.
Of course, there’s risk involved. Dean’s injury history is well-documented, and it’s fair to wonder whether he can stay healthy over a full season. But the Broncos have been one of the league’s healthier teams under Sean Payton, and if that trend continues, Dean could thrive in Denver’s system.
If the Broncos decide not to go after a bigger-name linebacker like Devin Lloyd, Dean represents a high-upside alternative. He’s not just a stopgap - he’s a player who can do a bit of everything: blitz, cover, tackle, lead. And he brings a championship pedigree from his college days at Georgia that still carries weight in NFL locker rooms.
Bottom line: the Broncos need more consistency and dynamism at the second level of their defense. Nakobe Dean might not be the safest bet in free agency, but he could be one of the smartest - and most impactful - ones they make.