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Bengals draft profile: Akeem Davis-Gaither

By Blake Jewell

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 21: Akeem Davis-Gaither #24 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers reacts to a missed field goal by Noah Ruggles #97 of the North Carolina Tar Heels as time expires in their game at Kenan Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Mountaineers won 34-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 21: Akeem Davis-Gaither #24 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers reacts to a missed field goal by Noah Ruggles #97 of the North Carolina Tar Heels as time expires in their game at Kenan Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Mountaineers won 34-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Akeem Davis-Gaither has started to gain notice for his play closing in on the 2020 NFL Draft.

With 101 total tackles, 5 sacks and a pick in 2019, Akeem Davis-Gaither looks like he could be one of the top linebackers in this year’s draft class. Going into the Senior Bowl, Davis-Gaither was a projected 7th round pick. Due to his performance at the Senior Bowl, however, he’s now considered a top prospect by many.

With one of the Cincinnati Bengal’s biggest needs being at the linebacker position, the North Carolina native could be a great pick up for the Bengals this off-season. He’s one of those guys that has been overlooked due to the conference he plays in, but his abilities are special.

Here are some strengths and weaknesses in Akeem Davis-Gaither:

Strengths:

He’s extremely versatile, with the ability to line up as a stacked backer in the box, he’s guarded WR’s in sub packages, and he has the athletic ability to play as an OLB.

He’s a great tackler and although he’s a bit undersized, he can still deliver some big hits. The 22-year-old has great footwork and quickness that makes him solid in running back and tight end coverage. He’s found some success on blitz packages and was effective. He shows tremendous effort at all times.

Weaknesses:

As mentioned before, he is a little undersized. I don’t think this is too much of a problem. He also shows some signs of inexperience. He could show some improvements in getting off blocks as well.

Overall, Akeem Davis-Gaither has some concerns, but I think he’s strengths really outweigh his weaknesses.

It’s hard to tell at this moment exactly what round he’ll go, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bengals have to take him at pick 33 if they really want him. It would be ideal if Cincinnati gets a high profile offensive lineman in free agency, so they can address linebacker with their early picks in the draft. I think Davis-Gaither would pair well with Germaine Pratt. His coverage abilities would be an immediate upgrade to the Bengals linebacker core.