Nakobe Dean, a linebacker from the University of Georgia, was one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive resume, Dean did not take part in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine due to a pec strain.
This created questions about Dean’s long-term upside, as the 40-yard dash is often seen as a gauge for a player’s athleticism and speed. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Dean did not run the 40 and how it may affect his draft stock.
Why Did Nakobe Dean Not Run the 40?
Who is Nakobe Dean?
Nakobe Dean is an American football linebacker from Georgia. He was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Dean is known for his impressive athleticism and physicality on the field, as well as his leadership and commitment to his team.
He was a two-time All-SEC selection in college and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
What is a 40-yard Dash?
A 40-yard dash is a sprinting exercise used to measure a player’s speed and agility. The exercise is typically conducted over a distance of 40 yards, with the athlete running as fast as they can over the course of the distance.
It is one of the most important drills that scouts use to evaluate a player’s potential.
Why Did Nakobe Dean Not Run the 40?
Nakobe Dean did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine due to a pec strain he suffered while training for the draft. This was a major disappointment for NFL scouts, as it prevented them from getting an accurate measure of Dean’s speed and agility.
How Did the Lack of a 40 Affect Dean’s Draft Stock?
The lack of a 40-yard dash time caused some concern among NFL scouts about Dean’s long-term upside, even though none of that seemed to slow him down while at Georgia. As a result, Dean’s draft stock suffered a bit and he dropped from a potential top-10 pick to the 22nd overall selection.
What Does the Future Hold for Nakobe Dean?
Despite not running the 40-yard dash, Dean has still been able to make an immediate impact with the Minnesota Vikings. He has been a standout on their defense, leading the team in tackles and interceptions in his first season.
With his athleticism and physicality, Dean has all the tools to be a successful NFL linebacker for years to come.
Why Didn’t Nakobe Dean Do Drills at the Combine?
Nakobe Dean suffered a pectoral strain while training in Dallas and was unable to do drills at the combine and his pro day. Despite this setback, Dean remained positive and stated he could only control what he could control.
This was a difficult obstacle to overcome as many people questioned his ability to perform without performing drills. The strain might have hindered Dean’s performance, but it did not stop him from continuing to train.
Dean was determined to show everyone that he could still be successful without the combine drills. He worked hard to prove himself through other means such as interviews, film study, and pro day. As a result, Dean went from being overlooked to being respected as a player.
He was eventually drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round, further proving his strength in the face of adversity. Dean’s ability to remain positive and work hard despite not being able to do drills, showed his commitment to reach his goals.
This is an example of how one can still achieve success even when faced with challenging obstacles.
What Type of Injury Does Nakobe Dean Have?
What is a Pectoral Injury?
Pectoral injuries are damage to the muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments of the chest wall. The pectoral muscles are a group of muscles located in the chest that are responsible for movement of the arm and shoulder.
Pectoral injuries can be caused by a variety of activities, including weightlifting, sports, and falls.
Symptoms of a Pectoral Injury
The most common symptoms of a pectoral injury include pain, swelling, weakness, and limited range of motion. People may also experience tenderness, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected arm.
Types of Pectoral Injuries
The most common type of pectoral injury is a strain or tear of the muscle or tendon. This can occur due to a sudden force or heavy lifting. People can also suffer from a dislocation or fracture of the shoulder joint.
Treatment for a Pectoral Injury
Treatment for a pectoral injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury. Milder strains may be managed with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. More severe injuries may require physical therapy, bracing, and/or surgical intervention.
Preventing Pectoral Injuries
The best way to prevent pectoral injuries is to engage in proper warm-up and stretching before any strenuous physical activity. People should also use proper form and technique when lifting weights, as well as using lighter weights when first starting out.
Additionally, it is important to listen to the body and stop any activity if pain or discomfort is felt.
Why is Nakobi Dean Sliding?
Injury Struggles:
Nakobe Dean has struggled with various injuries throughout his college career, including a lingering ankle injury that hampered his performance throughout his senior season. This is likely the primary cause for his slide in the draft.
The ankle injury caused him to miss several games, and his production was not up to his usual standards. As a result, teams were wary of investing a first-round pick in Dean.
Lack of Combine Performance:
Dean was unable to participate in the NFL Combine due to his ankle injury, which meant teams were unable to get a true evaluation of his abilities. Without seeing him perform in person, teams were left to rely on game tape and analytics to evaluate Dean’s potential.
This likely played a role in teams being less likely to invest a first-round pick in him.
Depth of Linebacker Class:
The 2020 NFL Draft was full of highly talented linebackers, so teams had plenty of options to choose from in the first round. Dean was just one of many talented linebackers available, and teams had the luxury of being able to wait until later rounds to select him.
Lack of Versatility:
Dean is considered to be a one-dimensional player, as he does not possess the necessary skills to move around the field and play multiple positions. This lack of versatility likely played a role in his slide in the draft, as teams may have preferred linebackers who could play multiple positions.
Elevated Risk of Re-injury:
Due to his ongoing ankle injury, there is an elevated risk of Dean re-injuring himself if he were to return to the field. This is an increased risk that teams were likely unwilling to take with a first-round pick, which likely contributed to Dean’s slide in the draft.
Who Ran the Fastest 40 in Combine History?
John Ross ran the fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL Scouting Combine history, clocking in at 4.22 seconds in 2017. He broke the previous record of 4.24 seconds set by Chris Johnson in 2008. This impressive feat has earned Ross a place in the record books as the fastest 40-time runner in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Record-breaking Run
Ross ran his record-breaking 40-yard dash time on March 4th, 2017. He was one of the first players to participate in the combine that year, and he made sure to make a lasting impression. Ross ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds, breaking the previous record set by Chris Johnson in 2008.
Other Fastest Times
Although Ross holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL Scouting Combine history, there have been other impressive times recorded. In 2019, Marquise Brown ran a 4.25 40-yard dash, and in 2018, D.J.
Moore ran a 4.42. Both times were impressive, but neither was able to beat out Ross’s record time.
Tyquan Thompson
Another name that is often mentioned in the same breath as Ross is Tyquan Thompson. At the 2022 NFL Combine, Thompson seemingly set the record with a 4.21 40-yard dash time. However, this time was not officially recorded, as the stopwatch was deemed to have malfunctioned.
John Ross holds the record for the fastest 40-time in NFL Scouting Combine history with a time of 4.22 seconds. Although there have been other impressive times recorded, none have been able to top Ross’s record.
Tyquan Thompson seemingly beat out the record at the 2022 NFL Combine, but his time was not officially recorded due to a malfunctioning stopwatch.
Who Ran a 4.28 40?
Tyquan Thornton, a wide receiver from Baylor, ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The time Thornton ran at the Combine was the fastest for a wide receiver in the draft class. Bill Belichick saw the potential in Thornton and moved up in the second round to select him.
Thornton was a standout player in college and was expected to be a top choice in the draft. He had a record-setting season in 2019 and was named an All-American in his final year. His 40-yard dash time was one of the best at the Combine and scouts praised his speed.
Thornton has the potential to be a big-play threat in the NFL with his blazing speed. He will be able to stretch the field and cause problems for defenses with his quickness. Thornton is an exciting prospect that will help the New England Patriots in the future.
With his 4.28 40-yard dash, Tyquan Thornton has proven he is one of the most explosive players in the draft.
To Recap
Nakobe Dean’s decision not to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine has caused some questions about his long-term upside. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his draft stock, Dean’s impressive collegiate career speaks for itself.
He has been one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2020 draft class and has the potential to be a valuable asset to any NFL team. With proper rest and rehabilitation, Dean should be able to showcase his athleticism and speed in the near future.
