Raiders: Mid-February complete 7-round mock draft
By Nico Di Fede
Scouting Report. Appalachian State. 3. player. Stats. Linebacker/Safety. Akeem Davis-Gaither. 28
Round 3, Pick 16: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB/S, Appalachian State
Akeem Davis-Gaither is the bargain bin version of Isaiah Simmons. Both players lined up all over the field as defensive back/linebacker hybrids while in college.
While Davis-Gaither is undersized as a linebacker, he does not shy away from contact and is physical at the point of attack. That being said, he lacks length and can still get eaten up if blockers get their hands on him.
As a fluid, natural athlete, Davis-Gaither is great in space and has sideline-to-sideline range allowing him to excel as a clean-up tackler.
He lined up frequently in the slot to cover receivers and has the perfect skillset to cover tight ends if he does not allow them to out-physical him.
Davis-Gaither may need a year to develop, but that is what many analysts said about Maxx Crosby last year. Even if that is the case, he should instantly be a contributor on special teams and in sub-packages.