With both Kyzir White and Krys Barnes headed toward free agency, the Cardinals made a move to aid the inside linebacker room -- and special teams -- with the reported signing of Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither to a two-year contract. The reports say the deal could be worth up to $11 million.

What the Cardinals do with Davis-Gaither will be interesting to watch. The Cardinals need a starter to pair with Mack Wilson Sr. if White departs, and while Davis-Gaither (who will be referred to as ADG for the balance of this post) has never been a full-time starter, he did start the last six games of the season for Cincinnati (with his special teams snaps dropping precipitously) after Logan Wilson got hurt.

In those six games, he had 58 tackles and perhaps flashed enough on video for the Cardinals to see a guy they think can flourish in Nick Rallis' defense -- they did something similar when they added Wilson, who had been a part-time player prior to Arizona.

The signing does give the Cardinals flexibility. ADG could be a White replacement. He could be a Barnes replacement, helping significantly on special teams (which may or may not lose key parts like Dennis Gardeck and/or Zach Pascal.) He could be a bridge starter if the Cardinals draft someone.

ADG was also a captain for the Bengals, always a plus in the locker room.