Colts latest free agency signing might have tipped their hand for something they plan to do in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Colts’ signing of linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither means more than you might think about the team’s long-term plans.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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New Colts LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
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The Indianapolis Colts landed their first projected starter in free agency this week by signing former Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis Gaither.

This is a reunion between Davis-Gaither and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo coached the linebacker in Cincinnati from 2020 to 2024. He appeared in 71 games in his defense and made 11 starts. He landed a bigger role this past year, signing with the Cardinals, and Anarumo landed the Colts DC job after being fired by the Bengals.

Now, both in Indy and Davis-Gaither becomes the clear best linebacker on the Colts roster at this moment. The plan is likely for him to start in 2026, but I think this signing says a lot more about the Colts’ future than it does about their present. While Davis-Gaither is the plan for 2026, I think this is a sign of the team preparing for what they want their group to look like going forward.

Colts’ choice to sign Akeem Davis-Gaither may mean more than meets the eye

Davis-Gaither is a versatile linebacker who has been asked to do a lot of different things during his NFL career. His lack of sack production may make you think he isn’t much of a pass rusher from the off-ball spot, but that isn’t exactly true.

He’s been asked to rush from the off-ball spot at a solid volume and has generated some solid pressures over the years, even if they haven’t led to sacks. Last year, we saw Anarumo dial up more blitzes from the off-ball linebackers than Colts fans have been accustomed to, and it worked well with Zaire Franklin.

Davis-Gaither is more comfortable in that type of role, though, and has a quicker first step, which could make it an even part of Anarumo’s plan with his defense. This tells me that the Colts not only want to utilize this out of their off-ball linebacker position in 2026, but also in the future. Davis-Gaither seems like the short-term plan in that regard, but I think the team has their eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft class to add this component to their defense for the foreseeable future.

2026 NFL Draft LB prospects the Colts could be targeting with a similar skill set to Akeem Davis-Gaither

This linebacker class, top to bottom, is a special group if you ask me. I think it’s the deepest position in the class and the deepest group of linebackers we’ve seen in any draft class in quite some time. And there’s a large group of off-ball linebackers who are comfortable rushing the passer.

I’ve thought for a while that this is a group the Colts will be heavily interested in, and the signing of Davis-Gaither makes me think it even more. This is clearly an element the Colts want to add to their defense, and I wouldn’t be shocked if we see them add another veteran linebacker in free agency, with the goal of a rookie selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft eventually taking over Davis-Gaither’s starting spot.

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