The Arizona Cardinals are heading into 2026 OTAs with a quiet but potentially transformative piece on defense: second-year linebacker Cody Simon. The fifth-round pick out of Ohio State is expected to claim a full-time starting role this fall after Akeem Davis-Gaither departed in free agency, and the front office didn’t add an established veteran to challenge him for the spot.
Simon’s journey to Arizona began in the suburbs of Atlanta, where he played quarterback and safety at Peachtree Ridge High School before transitioning to linebacker at Ohio State. Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley utilized Simon as a hybrid defender, often lining him up over the tight end or in the box to blitz, which honed his ability to diagnose plays quickly. His three-year collegiate career yielded 196 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and two interceptions, showcasing a rare blend of pass-rush potency and coverage awareness that NFL scouts noted as “projectable” despite his fifth‑round slot.
That decision speaks volumes about how the coaching staff views Simon’s trajectory. At 27 or younger and without a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod to his name, Simon fits the profile of a developing talent ready to emerge. The Arizona Cardinals’ willingness to hand him the keys rather than bring in competition suggests they believe his improvement curve is steep enough to justify the gamble.
The Cardinals’ defensive philosophy under head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis emphasizes versatility at the second level, seeking linebackers who can both stop the run and drop into coverage—a mold Simon already fits. Arizona’s 2025 defense ranked 28th in EPA per play, largely due to struggles covering tight ends and allowing explosive plays through the middle. Simon’s ability to mirror routes in space directly addresses that deficiency, making his development a strategic priority rather than a mere roster filler.
Why Did the Cardinals Let Davis-Gaither Walk?
Akeem Davis-Gaither’s departure in free agency created a vacancy at inside linebacker that the Arizona Cardinals chose not to fill with a proven name. That’s a calculated risk. Davis-Gaither had been a rotational piece, and his exit left a gap in snap count that Simon is now expected to absorb entirely. The front office brass clearly saw enough in Simon’s rookie tape to trust him with a larger workload, even if the sample size was limited in Year 1.
Davis-Gaither played 412 defensive snaps in 2025, accounting for roughly 38% of Arizona’s linebacker workload. Simon saw action on just 187 snaps — barely 17% of the defensive total. Jumping from under 200 snaps to a full starter’s share of 750-plus is a massive leap, and the Cardinals are betting Simon’s athleticism can bridge that gap.
Historically, Arizona has leaned on veteran presence to stabilize the linebacker corps—think of the Karlos Dansby era or the recent signing of Jordan Hicks in 2023. opting to forgo a veteran addition in 2026 signals a shift toward a youth‑driven, cost‑controlled model reminiscent of the Cardinals’ 2015 rebuild when they promoted rookie Haason Reddick from a special‑teams role to a starting spot after a similar offseason exodus. That move paid dividends, as Reddick earned a Pro Bowl selection two years later. Simon’s trajectory could mirror that path if he sustains his upward trend.
What Makes Simon a Breakout Candidate?
Looking at the tape from his rookie season, Simon showed flashes of the athleticism that made him a standout at Ohio State. His ability to work in space — covering tight ends and running backs out of the backfield — is what kept him on the field in sub-packages as a rookie. If he can continue to improve in that area, the Arizona Cardinals believe he can develop into an every-down linebacker and a legitimate tackling machine.
The numbers reveal a pattern that supports this projection. Simon recorded 23 tackles on those 187 snaps, a rate of roughly one tackle per 8.1 snaps that ranked in the top 15 among rookie linebackers who played at least 150 snaps in 2025. His pursuit angles against the run showed an instincts-level understanding of gap responsibility that can’t be coached easily. The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive scheme under the current staff emphasizes sideline-to-sideline range at the second level, which aligns perfectly with Simon’s skill set.
Ohio State’s defense asked Simon to do similar things at the college level, where he posted 85 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his final season. That production against Big Ten competition gave Arizona’s scouts confidence his game would translate, even if the NFL game is faster and the margins are thinner. Moreover, Simon’s 4.58‑second 40‑yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine placed him in the 85th percentile among linebackers, while his 38‑inch vertical leap ranked in the top 20th percentile—metrics that suggest elite burst and change‑of‑direction ability, traits highly valued in modern NFL defenses that prioritize coverage versatility.
Key Developments
- Simon was drafted 152nd overall in 2025 without an expectation of starting in his rookie season
- The Arizona Cardinals did not sign an established veteran linebacker to compete for the starting job after Davis-Gaither’s departure
- Simon’s coverage ability in space was the primary reason he stayed on the field during passing situations as a rookie
- Bleacher Report identified Simon as one of the NFL’s best-kept secrets heading into 2026 OTAs
- Simon’s tackle rate of one per 8.1 snaps ranked in the top 15 among qualifying rookie linebackers last season
How Does This Fit Arizona’s Defensive Scheme?
The Arizona Cardinals have been rebuilding their defense through the draft, and Simon represents the kind of high-upside, cost-controlled asset that makes sense for a team not yet in win-now mode. His rookie contract means minimal cap hit over the next three seasons — estimated at under $1.2 million per year against the cap — giving Arizona flexibility to allocate resources elsewhere while developing a potential cornerstone at linebacker.
There’s a counterargument that deserves attention: Simon has never been a full-time starter at the NFL level, and the jump from rotational piece to every-down linebacker is significant. The Arizona Cardinals are betting that his athletic instincts and football IQ will translate to a larger role, but the margin for error is thin. If Simon struggles early, the lack of a proven backup could expose the defense in critical situations.
Still, the risk-reward calculus favors Arizona here. Fifth-round picks who become starters are the lifeblood of roster building, and the Cardinals have done the homework. Simon’s combine numbers — a 4.58-second 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical at 235 pounds — profile as elite athletic traits for the position. Those measurables don’t always translate, but paired with his college production and rookie tape, they paint a picture of a player whose ceiling is well above his draft slot.
Looking at recent NFL history, several fifth‑round linebackers have leveraged similar athletic profiles into starting roles: Darius Leonard (2nd round, but a useful comparison for impact), Bobby Wagner (2nd round), and more pertinently, Troy Andersen (third round, 2022) who earned a starting spot after showcasing special‑teams value and coverage ability. While Simon’s draft capital is lower, his skill set mirrors Andersen’s hybrid nature, suggesting a plausible upward trajectory if he can refine his pre‑snap recognition and communication.
What’s Next for Simon and the Cardinals?
OTAs will be the first real test of whether Simon can handle the mental demands of a starting role — learning the full playbook, making pre-snap reads, and communicating adjustments to the secondary. Training camp will determine if he can hold off any late-summer competition the Arizona Cardinals might still add. Based on available data, the organization appears fully committed to giving Simon every opportunity to seize the job.
For a franchise that has spent the past few seasons retooling its roster, Simon’s emergence could be one of the defining storylines of 2026. If he delivers, the Arizona Cardinals will have found a starter in the fifth round — the kind of draft value that accelerates any rebuild. And if he doesn’t, the low-cost nature of the experiment means Arizona can pivot without significant financial damage. It’s the sort of bet smart teams make constantly, and the payoff could reshape the defense for years.
Who is Cody Simon and why is he important to the Arizona Cardinals?
Cody Simon is a second-year linebacker drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is expected to become a full-time starter in 2026 after Akeem Davis-Gaither left in free agency, making him a key piece of Arizona’s defensive rebuild.
Did the Cardinals add any veteran linebackers to replace Davis-Gaither?
No. The Arizona Cardinals chose not to sign an established veteran linebacker after Davis-Gaither’s departure, signaling their confidence in Simon’s ability to step into the starting role.
What are Cody Simon’s strengths as a linebacker?
Simon’s primary strength is his ability to work in space, particularly in coverage against tight ends and running backs. He recorded 23 tackles on 187 snaps as a rookie, a rate that ranked in the top 15 among qualifying first-year linebackers. The Arizona Cardinals believe he can grow into an every-down role if his coverage skills keep improving.
Was Cody Simon expected to start as a rookie?
No. Simon was drafted 152nd overall without an expectation of starting in Year 1. His path to a starting role opened up after Davis-Gaither’s free agency departure following the 2025 season.
How does Simon’s cap hit compare to a veteran linebacker?
Simon’s rookie deal is estimated at under $1.2 million per year against the salary cap, a fraction of what a proven veteran starter would command. That cost efficiency gives Arizona room to spend elsewhere while developing Simon as a potential long-term piece.
