Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
The production is all there for Davis-Gaither, although he doesn’t precisely fit the mold of the modern NFL linebacker. He had more than 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons for Appalachian State as well as double-digit tackles for loss in both 2018 and 2019. In 2019, on his way to the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors, he also flashed some pass-rush ability, posting five of his eight career sacks. Davis-Gaither wasn’t finished there, as he also defended nine passes and picked off his first career pass.
Davis-Gaither suffered a stress fracture in his foot during the 2019 campaign and had surgery following the season that kept him out of the position drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. But his game film shows a prospect with ideal length and speed to play linebacker at the NFL level. Dane Brugler of The Athletic describes him as a “discount version of Isaiah Simmons.” If this is true, then he could be a player for the Ravens to target outside of the first round.