Throughout the summer leading up to the regular season, we will go through the entire 2024 Cincinnati Bengals roster. Every single day until the season opener against the New England Patriots, we will break down a player on the roster including his background, contract status, and path towards making the team.
Today, we show some appreciation for linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. A member of the tide-turning 2020 draft class, ADG has established himself as one of the more reliable players on the Bengals' roster who doesn't start. His specific roles have treated him well, so it's no wonder he's back for a fifth year in Cincinnati.
Akeem Davis-Gaither
- Age: 27
- Year: 5th
- Position: Linebacker
- College: Appalachian State
- Previous Teams: None
- Jersey Number: 59
Davis-Gaither was drafted by the Bengals with the 107th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent five years at Appalachian State as he was redshirted after playing two games as a true freshman in 2015. He played in every single game for the remainder of his career, starting with 13 in 2016 as a backup linebacker. His usage increased in 2017 as he earned three starts in the middle of the season. He finally broke out in 2018 as a full-time starter, leading the team in tackles (105) and tied for the most passes defensed (7). He earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors as the Mountaineers won their conference. 2019 went even better as he was named a team captain for five games during the program's 13-1 season. He logged 104 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight passes defensed, one interception, and one blocked field goal. He was named First Team All-Sun Belt and even won the conference's Defensive Player of the Year award.
There wasn't much Davis-Gaither couldn't do as a linebacker by the time his App State career wrapped up. That multi-faceted skillset drew the Bengals' attention when they were rebuilding their linebacker room from the ground up. He was one of three backers the team drafted in 2020 along with Logan Wilson and Markus Bailey.
It didn't take long for Davis-Gaither to find a niche role in the Bengals' defense. His first-ever start came against the Baltimore Ravens as he was put onto the field to help stop quarterback Lamar Jackson. The defense as a whole was a year away from doing anything of the sort, but Davis-Gaither's athleticism in space was already being put to good use. He even got his first interception against Jackson in the season finale. His 314 snaps played in 2020 are still the most he's logged in a season for the Bengals.
Once Wilson and Germaine Pratt were settled in as starters in 2021, Davis-Gaither was also locked in as the reserve right behind him. He saw the field often before a foot injury cut his season short. He returned for the entire 2022 campaign, this time shining brightest on special teams. He racked up 341 snaps and 10 tackles as a member of five different special teams units (he ranked second in both). His best moment on defense came against the Ravens in the Wild Card round when he set the tone with an opening-drive interception. 2023 was very similar as he remained a special teams staple who was used situationally on defense, though he missed four games with a knee injury.
Contract details
Davis-Gaither signed a one-year, $2,742,500 contract this offseason. He will earn a base salary of $1.125 million for the 2024 season. He's already earned a guaranteed $675,500 as a roster bonus, and earned $100,000 as a workout bonus. He can earn up to $842,000 in per game roster bonuses as well.
Since Davis-Gaither didn't play in four games last season, $198,118 of his per game roster bonuses are considered not likely to be earned, which decreases his cap number for the season to $2,544,382.
Roster outlook
The Bengals aren't very deep at most positions, but linebacker is an exception thanks in part to Davis-Gaither. His re-signing for another year was one of the pleasant surprises of free agency. One of the 31 other defenses in the NFL could see what he could do as a starter, and that potential opportunity is why he wasn't expected to re-sign. The Bengals are glad the opposite happened.
Quality special teams play with situational snaps at linebacker. That's what the Bengals expect out of Davis-Gaither, and there's no reason to think he'll fall short of that.
Projected role: First linebacker off the bench
Previous player breakdowns
- Kwamie Lassiter II
- Domenique Davis
- Nate Gilliam
- Shaka Heyward
- Jaxson Kirkland
- Devin Cochran
- Justin Blazek
- Tre Mosley
- Cam Grandy
- PJ Jules
- Eric Miller
- Michael Dowell
- Lance Robinson
- Noah Cain
- Elijah Collins
- Rocky Lombardi
- Cole Burgess
- Aaron Casey
- Maema Njongmeta
- Austin McNamara
- Devonnsha Maxwell
- Matt Lee
- Daijahn Anthony
- Cedric Johnson
- Tanner McLachlan
- Josh Newton
- Travis Bell
- Allan George
- Shedrick Jackson
- Jeff Gunter
- Kendric Pryor
- Jake Browning
- DJ Ivey
- Brad Robbins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Devin Harper
- Logan Woodside
- Cal Adomitis
- Chase Brown
- Erick All
- McKinnley Jackson
- Jay Tufele
- Jermaine Burton
- Tycen Anderson
- Charlie Jones
- Chris Evans
- Trey Hill
- Joe Bachie
- Evan McPherson
- Cordell Volson
- Trayveon Williams
- Tanner Hudson
- D'Ante Smith
- Vonn Bell
- Jordan Battle
- Jalen Davis
- Ryan Rehkow
- Cody Ford
- Zach Carter
- DJ Turner II
- Kris Jenkins Jr.
- Trenton Irwin
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Joseph Ossai
- Jackson Carman
- Mike Gesicki
