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Given all the hype (Joe Burrow) and talking points (Ja’Marr Chase drops, 53-man cutdowns) surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s a little easy to forget about Akeem Davis-Gaither.
But Bengals coaches haven’t overlooked the second-year linebacker.
When asked to name an underrated player about to have a big season by the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was quick with his answer:
“Akeem Davis-Gaither has had a hell of a camp. I can’t see him not out there performing in some role at some point making plays just because he’s had such a great camp. He’s a tireless worker, he’s really had a great camp.”
ADG, a draft darling of Bengals fans selected in the fourth round in 2020, only got on the field for 30 percent of the defense’s snaps last year, earning a 40.7 PFF grade.
But the speedy linebacker’s upward trend was apparent as the season went on and it’s almost easy to forget he, like all rookies, didn’t have the benefit of a normal pre-draft process or preseason.
Given his immense physical traits that let him excel against the run and pass, ADG could be right there alongside Logan Wilson in importance for the entire defense next season.
And based on Anarumo’s comments, the Bengals seem to expect it.
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