Nakobe Dean just dropped an 88.3 PFF grade as an off-ball blitzer in the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and if you weren’t paying attention, you absolutely should have been. This dude is making an impact, and it’s only Week 2.
Early Returns Are Already Paying Off Big
It’s super early, but the Raiders are already seeing some serious returns on their free-agent signing, Nakobe Dean. Through just two games, the linebacker is tied for second at his position across the entire league with nine ‘defensive stops,’ according to Pro Football Focus. And get this: four of those nine stops went down in that Week 2 Chargers game alone. He was an absolute beast against the run, with three run stops in that game, tying him for sixth among linebackers and just one behind a five-way tie for first. When the offense tries to pick up a first down, Dean is there shutting it down.
Disrupting QBs and Locking Down Routes
Dean wasn’t just stopping the run; he was making life miserable for quarterbacks too. He racked up three pressures on five pass rushes against the Chargers, adding to his four pressures on six rushes through the first two weeks. He even got a sack and another quarterback hit! No wonder he was PFF’s highest-graded off-ball blitzer in Week 2 with that 88.3.
And yeah, the tape shows he wasn’t exactly shutting down receivers in coverage every single snap, but he did all the crucial “little things” that make a huge difference. Like when Los Angeles came out in an empty formation, motioning a slot receiver to get him matched up with Dean. The Raiders were in Cover 6, a split-field coverage that can be tricky with drag routes. But Dean? He used his hands to get physical with the wideout in the five-yard window, slowing him down. That perfectly executed move took Justin Herbert’s third option away, forcing Herbert to scramble for a measly yard or two on second-and-long. That’s a critical play, setting up third-and-long for the defense.
Later, with the Raiders up by two possessions and about three minutes left, the Chargers were facing 1st-and-15. Dean was essentially on an island in the middle as the hook defender. He wisely stayed deep, making sure nothing went over his head. Herbert checked down to Ladd McConkey, his No. 1 receiver, and Dean was RIGHT THERE. He rallied to the ball and made a beautiful open-field tackle, stopping McConkey from getting any yards after the catch. That not only kept the clock moving but also kept the Chargers offense behind the sticks. This guy has serious situational awareness. We even saw Rob Leonard put him on the line opposite Maxx Crosby to take advantage of teams not wanting to give Crosby one-on-one opportunities.
This early in the season, Dean’s already showing he’s an absolute force, whether he’s getting after the quarterback or making crucial tackles in coverage. He’s making game-changing plays, and every offense on the Raiders’ schedule better be taking notes. Can he keep this momentum rolling and make an even bigger impact in the coming weeks? You bet we’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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