Bengals Cut Paves Way for Potential All-Rookie Campaign

Most of the hubbub this offseason about the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie class has centered on the controversy surrounding first-round pick Shemar Stewart and his contract holdout.

Stewart, a stout defensive end, was expected to form a fierce pass rush duo with last year's sack leader Trey Hendrickson ... who is also going through a contract dispute.

Getting lost in the weeds is Cincy's second-round pick, linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., who could make just as much impact as any rookie on this year's roster.

Knight enters a perfect opportunity to see the field in his first NFL season, which earns him a spot on NFL.com's All-Rookie Team projection.

Before the 2025 Draft, the South Carolina product's combine profile featured a player comparison that will sound familiar to Bengals fans: Germaine Pratt.

Pratt had requested a trade in February after six seasons in Cincinnati. After drafting Knight, Pratt was cut, which paves a nice road for Knight to take and potentially earn a spot in the starting lineup immediately.

Cincinnati's other starting linebacker Logan Wilson had some good things to say about the rookie and his potential role this season.

"He can do everything at a high level. Just a matter of putting it all together," Wilson said, via the team website. "He's fast, hits, big, shifty. All the things you want in a linebacker, he's got."

"He's done a hell of a job for a rookie with how much we've installed and covered," he added. "I'm looking forward to playing next to him."

Knight has big shoes to fill, as Pratt was the Bengals' leading tackler last season with 143.

He'll still have to earn his stripes this summer at training camp, but so far the rook has made a nice impression on his elder teammates. Knight will compete for a starting job with fellow rookie Barrett Carter and free agent signee Oren Burks, who has Super Bowl experience with the Eagles last season.

"Those guys are still competing for that," head coach Zac Taylor said about his linebacker unit.

"I do think [Knight] has worked really hard. As I come in the building, he's one of the first guys in the locker room every single day," Taylor said. "Very mature. He's ready to go, ready to compete."