Is Nakobe Dean making Raiders look like one of the smartest teams in NFL?
The Raiders signed Nakobe Dean in the offseason to lead their defense, and after one game, he’s making his new team look very smart.
In the Raiders' Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins, rookie linebacker Nakobe Dean delivered an impressive performance, proving to be a valuable addition to the team. According to Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim, Dean's contribution has already given the Raiders a smart look. In the game, Dean tallied six tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, while also recording two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.
These numbers place him as the team's leading tackler. The Raiders had high expectations for Dean and his new teammate, Quay Walker, as they were both seen as potential improvements to the team's defensive second line for 2026. Dean's standout performance has instilled confidence in Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, the coaching staff, and the front office, suggesting that Dean is living up to the expectations surrounding his name.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
