The Viking Age
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4 defensive sleepers for the Vikings to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine

By Luke Parrish

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 23: California Golden Bears safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) and teammates celebrate his interception during the college football game between the California Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 23: California Golden Bears safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) and teammates celebrate his interception during the college football game between the California Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) Akeem Davis-Gaither
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) Akeem Davis-Gaither /

Akeem Davis-Gaither – LB (Appalachian State)

The Vikings are not desperate for a linebacker as the duo of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks has been the glue that keeps their defense together. Still, Eric Wilson is set to become a free agent in March, so Minnesota currently lacks depth and a third quality linebacker on defense.

Akeem Davis-Gaither is potentially a top-100 player in this year’s draft and he should shine in Indianapolis this week. He might even be a relatively early selection in the draft thanks to the lack of depth at linebacker this year. Davis-Gaither is an athletic fiend in the middle of the field. He brings a ton of speed to the second level and he can move sideline to sideline.

Davis-Gaither did struggle as a coverage linebacker at Appalachian State. His man coverage is especially concerning as he enters the NFL. He is not a pass-rushing linebacker either, so he projects primarily as a two-down linebacker early in his career. He will also be a very strong special teams player.

Davis-Gaither will probably make a home in the NFL as a run-stopping linebacker all over the second level of the defense. He understands zone assignments and where to meet the running back.

The strongest aspect of his game is finishing tackles in space and staying with the play thanks to his speed. Davis-Gaither could potentially test off the charts at the Combine this week and he will be a player to watch.

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