Nakobe Dean Is A Star On — And Off — Field Eagles Fans Can Be Proud Of
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't take the field for a game this weekend, but that doesn't mean there wasn't a win.
On Oct. 31st, the National Football League Players Association announced the Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP, and Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean was named as the recipient after he and hisKind Hearts 4 Lyfe Foundation helped provide over 100 students with free dental services at Julia de Burgos Elementary School in Philadelphia. That's not all, though. Dean and the foundation also donated winter clothes, meals, and haircuts at KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy.
Dean and the foundation were recognized by the league for the work that they have done over the last few weeks, but this is nothing new for the 24-year-old.
"Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe is a foundation that me and my team started, mainly my mother," Dean said in an interview. "We've done a lot of philanthropy work ever since I was able to in college. Of course, my mother had me doing it a lot growing up but I didn't have my name on anything until I got out to college and then when I got to Philly, it just kind of kept on taking off.
"We've continued to work, but we hadn't had a foundation behind it. But, we were finally able to put all of the things we do in the community behind that foundation (Kind Hearts 4 Lyfe). That's how it started and we've continued to give back to the community. Our motto is "Reaching for the hand, but touching the heart."
The Eagles are fortunate to have Nakobe Dean with the franchise
Philanthropy has always been a key pillar for Dean. This recognition from the NFLPA is the latest example, but it isn't the first time his work in the community has been noticed. For example, Dean was the recipient of the prestigious Franklin D. Watkins Award back in 2019.
The NFL season is long, and there aren't many moments to breathe. There are 17 games, countless practices, potentially the playoffs, workouts, and the list goes on. But, Dean has continued his work off the field consistently and is making a real impact.
"For me, it's easy because I've been doing it my whole life," Dean said. "It's never just been about football for me."
And it's going to continue. Dean and the foundation had a busy month of October and have even more in store with the holiday season almost here.
"We have another one of those school tours in a couple of weeks," Dean said. "As far as Kind Hearts, we're planning to do a Turkey drive this year. Provide food to the community. It's probably going to be bigger this year...We're trying to work to make it a little bit bigger this year, that's for sure. We're probably going to try to do a toy drive around Christmas time and stuff like that...We're shooting for two food drives this month in November."
Dean recently returned to the field after working his way back from a brutal knee injury suffered in the playoffs last season against the Green Bay Packers. Now, he's fully back and firing on all cylinders on the field. But, he's not slowing down off the field in the community either.
"I'm just blessed to be able to be a blessing for others," Dean said. "When I do my events, no matter what, if I can just get through to one young person, that's enough. That's enough. If I can just get through to one because I hope that when they get older and they get the means and they go do everything they set out to do like I believe in them and tell them that they can do, that they give back, not only to the community that they grew up in, but everywhere that they can."
Dean got a lot of buzz this week for the award. But, this isn't new. This is who Dean is and has been. Philadelphia certainly is lucky to have him.
Vikings Trade Pitch Reunites Coach With $14 Million Former 1st-Round Pick
The Minnesota Vikings got after Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1, and they could add to their defense with a trade for a player defensive coordinator Brian Flores knows well in Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins.
Flores was the Dolphins’ head coach in 2021, when Miami selected Phillips with the No. 18 overall pick of the draft.
Four years later, both teams could be ripe for the coach and player to reunite.
Vikings Trade Idea Capitalizes on Dolphins’ Situation
GettyJaelan Phillips #15 of the Miami Dolphins speaks with the media following practice.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the Vikings as a potential landing spot for Phillips, and projected the edge rusher’s trade value at a “Conditional 2026 4th-Round Pick.”
The Vikings do not have a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft. They traded theirs to the Jacksonville Jaguars for left tackle Cam Robinson last season. This Heavy Sports Vikings trade pitch tweaks Knox’s suggestion, substituting two fifth-round picks, to reunite Phillips and Flores:
Vikings get:
- Jaelan Phillips
Dolphins get:
- 2026 fifth-round draft pick (via ATL, PHI, or SF)
- 2027 fifth-round pick
“Playoff hopefuls are often in the market for edge-rushers, and the Miami Dolphins might have one to spare between now and the trade deadline,” Knox wrote on September 10. “They have stockpiled an intriguing collection of pass-rushers that includes Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon, Chop Robinson and Jaelan Phillips. If the Dolphins’ woeful opener is an accurate indication, though, this rotation could go to waste in Miami.
“Moving Phillips would be logical if the Dolphins don’t turn things around quickly. Though season-ending injuries have impacted each of the last two seasons, the 26-year-old had 22 sacks over the first three years of his career. Finally healthy again, he could likely net Miami a high Day 3 pick at a minimum.”
Jaelen Phillips Could Be Another Chess Piece for Vikings DC Brian Flores
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores reacts against the Chicago Bears.
After logging 20 starts and playing in all 34 regular-season games over his first two seasons, Phillips has played in 13 games across the past three seasons, starting nine of them. A change of scenery, perhaps via trade to the Dolphins, could be the fresh start Phillips needs.
He would not need to start, with Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard occupying the edges for the Vikings.
Phillips could form a dynamic backup duo with 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-5, 260-plus-pound Phillips logged 22 snaps at defensive tackle and even had a couple of reps at the nose under Flores during his rookie season in 2021.
Vikings Draft Capital, Financial Outlook Loom Large
GettyMinnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addresses the media at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
The complications the Vikings could face in cobbling together an appropriate package of draft picks to acquire Phillips in a trade with the Dolphins are only part of the problem. Phillips is playing on the fifth-year option of a four-year, $14 million rookie scale deal.
Per Over The Cap, the Vikings have $17.2 million in cap space entering September 13.
It's been lost in this offseason, but Jaelan Phillips could be one of the most impactful Dolphins in 2022. Had a productive rookie season, but is literally just scratching the surface of what he can be.
pic.twitter.com/ON21yYXFKm— George Forder (@GeorgeForder3) May 5, 2022
However, the Vikings are also projected to $53.7 million over the threshold in 2026, which could lead to some difficult decisions.
Perhaps Phillips is not the answer, but the Vikings must pursue any outside help judiciously if they choose to make any trades or signings. Their draft capital situation is also convoluted from a public information standpoint.
