The Cincinnati Bengals are back in the building gearing up for the 2025 season after the NFL Draft in April.
Cincinnati had six total selections, including first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr.
The Bengals grabbed Knight in the second round showing the team is clearly looking for a Day 1 starter at that position.
Pro Football Focus’s Trevor Sikkema is a huge fan of the selection and even tabbed Knight as the best position fit for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Logan Wilson recorded a 72.4 PFF overall grade at middle linebacker in 2024, while Akeem Davis-Gaither recorded a 59.0 mark, and Germaine Pratt recorded a 60.6 mark. Davis-Gaither is now in Arizona, but Pratt remains. The Bengals would still likely want better from their LB2 next to Wilson. Knight earned an 82.5 PFF overall grade at South Carolina in 2024, with an 85.4 PFF run-defense grade. His landing spot hints at playing time and needed impact early on,” Sikkema wrote.
Knight is a downhill attacker who can also cover, bringing some much-needed athleticism to the position room.
Knight will likely be the Day 1 starter alongside Logan Wilson, assuming the team cuts or trades Germaine Pratt before the season begins.