NFL Mock Draft: 4 first-round targets for Washington after recent surge

1. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

After taking a look at the quality, or lack thereof, of linebackers that are slated to become free agents, we decided to give Nakobe Dean the top spot on this list. Yes, we thought about including a quarterback, but that conversation should be put on ice with Taylor Heinicke having the season that he is.

Unless Washington can get their hands on an Anthony Walker or someone of that ilk in free agency, they should absolutely target a linebacker in the first round. A player of Dean’s caliber would give Jack Del Rio a fearsome trio rounded out by Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis, who’s endured some rookie growing pains.

Simply put, Dean is the type of athlete Washington has missed in the middle of their defense all year. His agility and closing speed remind us a lot of Devin White, who, if you remember, had a career game vs Washington in Week 10.

Can Davis grow into that role? Perhaps, but he’s still a year away from being relied on as a consistent starter. Who knows? Maybe the No. 19 overall pick takes a leap as a sophomore and gives Washington an excuse to let Holcomb walk in free agency at the end of next season.

That would give Washington two cost-effective (and immensely talented) players locking down the LB position for the foreseeable future.

This year for Georgia, Dean racked up 61 tackles (8.5 for loss), five sacks, four pass breakups and two interceptions, all the while earning a 91.3 pass-rush grade and a 90.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.

He’s a huge reason why the Bulldogs qualified for the College Football Playoff, and we’d LOVE to see him in the Burgundy and Gold in 2022.