With the 87th pick in the 2020 RCF NFL Mock Draft
The New England Patriots select...
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
STRENGTHS: Elite length for the position…field fast and can really run when he has a chance to stretch out his stride…agile feet on the edge to skirt blocks, gain
proper leverage and contain outside runs…unyielding pursuit skills and his motor never spurts…always chasing at full speed and closes with short-area burst…uses his
long arms to lasso runners on the move…velvet feet in coverage with the smooth turn-and-run skills to play man-to-man down the seam…aggressive, confident
competitor, which rubs off on his teammates…called an “extra coach on the field” by his defensive coaches at Appalachian State…started every game the last two
seasons posting triple-digit tackles both years.
WEAKNESSES: Lean-framed and lacks desired bulk for NFL linebacking duties…inconsistent take-on player, struggling to scrape down the line of scrimmage…gets
pinballed in a crowd and must rely on his fundamentals to work through contact and stay off the ground…quick to trigger, but needs to be more reliable as a
finisher…bad habit of leaving his feet too early or arriving too hot, falling off his target…inconsistent coverage player due to spotty instincts, which leads to spacing
issues and missed opportunities to make plays on the ball…suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during the 2019 season, requiring off-season surgery (March
2020) that sidelined him for part of the draft process.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Appalachian State, Davis-Gaither lined up at outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s 3-4 base scheme, playing an
overhang defender role. Despite his tweener size, he owns the length and speed that NFL teams covet, projecting as discount version of Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons on
day two of the draft. Probably the best “Tag” player in the neighborhood growing up due to his lower body quickness to avoid blocks, Davis-Gaither plays with terrific
closing burst once he unlocks and goes. His relentless play style is a strength, but his motor is stuck in overdrive at times and he would benefit by adding more
discipline and control to his game. Overall, Davis-Gaither needs to fine-tune his take-on skills and develop his cover instincts, but his twitched-up athleticism and
confident play speed help mask his technical flaws, projecting as a subpackage linebacker as a rookie who should shine on special teams.
Why Him for the Patriots?
Other than Dont'a Hightower, the Patriots' LB corps are both in dire straits & thin. Davis-Gaither should have been selected already with his speed and agility. He'll need to gain more discipline at the point of attack, but we think he'll be a weapon both rushing and in space once ingrained into the Patriots defense.
@Snowblind take it away!