Indianapolis Colts sign LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

The Colts' signing of Davis-Gaither on a deal worth $2.725M AAV earns a B Contract Value Index (CVI)—a measured, sensible depth move that doesn't overpay for proven production but acknowledges realistic roster need in the preseason window. At the linebacker position, Davis-Gaither slots as a solid depth piece with a track record as a capable run defender, offering the kind of low-cost insurance that NFL teams deploy for injury contingency and special-teams value. The $2.725M AAV places this firmly in the veteran minimum-plus range, which aligns with his market tier—not a starter's salary, but fair compensation for a rotational linebacker with NFL experience. From a value standpoint, the Colts are getting depth without cap burden: this contract carries minimal dead-cap risk and won't constrain flexibility as they navigate the offseason toward the September start. The CVI sits at B rather than B-plus because the deal reflects competent roster construction rather than exceptional value discovery, but it's exactly the kind of low-risk, low-cost transaction that wins over time when executed across a full roster.