Nakobe Dean is already making his presence felt in Las Vegas, and not just because the Raiders needed help at linebacker.
The Raiders spent part of the offseason trying to clean up a defense that had plenty of problems last season, and one of the bigger moves was bringing in former Georgia teammates Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Dean drew some early concern from Raider Nation when he missed offseason work and it looked like an injury situation, but that hasn’t carried into training camp. He’s been healthy so far, and he has been named the defense’s “green dot” player over Walker.
That role is about more than relaying calls. The “green dot” linebacker is supposed to be the communicator, the steady hand, and ideally a true voice for the defense. According to defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, Dean is already showing that kind of presence.
“Command. Confidence,” Leonard said.
“[Dean will say], 'Robbie, get out of my huddle. I got it.'
I want to get up in there and start up, but that's not reality of how the game's played. Just leadership.
It feels good to have that at the mike linebacker.”
That matters in a building where Maxx Crosby has been carrying a huge share of the defensive leadership load. Crosby is still the emotional center of the Raiders, but Leonard’s comments suggest Dean is helping spread that responsibility around.
Bucky Brooks of NFL Network and NFL.com saw that theme during the Raiders’ night practice at Allegiant Stadium before the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. The session wasn’t fully padded, so it came with limits, but Brooks still came away noting Dean’s impact.
“The Raiders' underrated signing of Dean not only filled the team's need at middle linebacker, but also filled the leadership void that has been missing on defense,” Brooks wrote. “Despite his diminutive stature, Dean stands out as a fierce competitor and exemplary leader.
He sets the tone with his violent play, yet displays the poise and composure to get the defense into the proper front and coverage based on the offensive formation. Additionally, he will challenge his teammates and hold them accountable for their effort and performance, including Maxx Crosby.”
Crosby will remain the heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense and the team overall for as long as he’s in Silver and Black. But Las Vegas clearly needed more than one voice in that huddle, and Dean appears to be stepping into that space quickly.
For a reconstructed defense under a new coaching staff, that kind of leadership may end up mattering just as much as the play calls themselves.
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