In year two of the Jonathan Gannon scheme, the Cardinals defense struggled mightily but it was an improvement from 2023. They finished 27th in the NFL (up from 32nd, dead last). They invested a lot up front in both free agency and in the draft but their starting MIKE linebacker, Kyzir White, was not re-signed. Akeem Davis-Gaither was brought in to replace him after a five-year stint in Cincinnati primarily in a backup role. He saw a career-high in snaps and starts last season for a defense that was also a bottom-third unit league wide. The $10 million price tag that can easily be pushed away next offseason is anything but a ringing endorsement by management.
Simon was the team’s fourth round pick fresh off a National Championship season at Ohio State. The three-year starter was the Alpha on that side of the ball with his heavy, firm contact against both blockers and ball carriers alike. “Does not make a lot of mistakes” was a line I used in the conclusion of his report last spring. Not making mistakes is the quickest path to a role in an NFL defense for young players. Coaches have already commented on how quickly he has learned the scheme and they’ve already put the green dot on him in practice and he saw a major spike in playmaking ability behind the line of scrimmage in 2024.
Prediction: Davis-Gaither
This was not a small initial investment made by General Manager Monti Ossenfort. While the contract is easy to get out of after the 2025 season, the $5 million is nothing to overlook. For comparison, the other veteran linebacker they signed was Mykal Walker at just $500,000 guaranteed. That is backup-type money. Davis-Gaither saw the most playing time of his career down the stretch last year and the security he brings to the defense when it comes to NFL experience is likely to get him the nod early on.