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4 Small School Prospects the Cincinnati Bengals Could Target in the Draft

By Kyle Smith

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Tight end Harrison Bryant of Florida Atlantic runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Tight end Harrison Bryant of Florida Atlantic runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Akeem Davis-Gather – Linebacker, Appalachian State

Speed, bend, coverage skills, versatility. Akeem Davis-Gaither used these talents to wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball last season. Appalachian State asked Davis-Gaither to play nearly every position and he delivered. At 6’1″ 224 pounds, he racked up 101 total tackles, five sacks, one interception, and eight pass-break-ups helping the Mountaineers to an AP Top 25 ranking by the end of the season.

Davis-Gaither has an innate ability to drop his hips and slip under oncoming blockers. He has work to do in terms of coverage, but he’ll wow you with his abilities off the edge. Unfortunately, he was not able to participate in the combine due to a stress fracture in his foot, but you don’t need his measurables to see how athletic he truly is.

The Cincinnati Bengals found their future inside linebacker by selecting Germaine Pratt in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Cincinnati’s focus now shifts to selecting an off-ball linebacker, and ADG may be their diamond in the rough. He could thrive in Lou Anarumo’s multiple front defense and could be a valuable asset for the Bengals’ special teams unit during his development. In the future, Davis-Gaither could help solidify the linebacker corp that has been the Bengals’ Achillies Heel for so long.

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