Cincinnati Bengals needed to fill a vital role for an Al Golden defense, and they found an unorthodox star for it in the 2025 NFL Draft
Linebacker was a massive need for the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, especially when you consider how important the position is in an Al Golden defense. The organization is dealing with figuring out the future for starting middle linebacker Germaine Pratt, who demanded a trade earlier this offseason. It appears the Pratt era has officially come to an end after the Bengals selected South Carolina safety Demetrius Knight Jr. with the No. 49 overall selection in the second round.
On the surface level, there is a lot to like about Knight. In his lone season with the Gamecocks, the Georgia native finished second on the team with 82 total tackles. He was also able record eight tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles.
Despite playing at nearly 250 pounds, Knight brings some uncommon range for a player his size. His body type would suggest that Knight is your old school middle linebacker, but he brings the modern movement skills. That makes Knight such an intriguing second level defender in today’s space game. Whether it’s as a downhill thumper, playing in pursuit, blitzing, or in pass coverage, Knight has the skill set to do a lot of things for a defense.
If you would have told someone that Knight would have been a top-50 draft pick before the season, almost nobody would have believed you. To be completely transparent, most would have not even known who Knight was all together. Knight’s journey has been quite unique, and that is the greatest part of the NFL Draft process, the unlikely stories that captivate the fans who root for them every Sunday.
Knight began his career as a quarterback signee for Georgia Tech in the 2019 recruiting class. After spending four seasons with the Yellow Jackets, mostly as a rotational linebacker, Knight eventually found a home with the Charlotte 49ers during the 2023 season, finishing that campaign with 96 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions. Knight seemed to defy the odds while doing some DoorDash deliveries on the side to provide for his daughter. That lone season of production and perseverance granted Knight a new opportunity, playing SEC football.
From there, the rest has been history. It included strong showings at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, and showcasing his blazing 4.58-second forty-yard dash speed at the NFL Scouting Combine. Now Knight is a potential cornerstone for a revamped Bengals defense.
For anyone who has followed Coach Golden’s ascension as a defensive coordinator for the University of Notre Dame the last couple of years, you know that linebackers are incredibly vital. Golden will use them as blitzers, and ask them to make aggressive plays all over the field. A lot will be on Knight’s plate but if his unlikely journey has told us anything, he will be ready for the challenge.
Related articles
-1744256687-q80.webp "Rangers on brink of elimination after disastrous loss to Flyers")
Rangers on brink of elimination after disastrous loss to Flyers
Colts' Shane Steichen Divulges Plan for QB Competition
Rangers takeover in action as 49ers show off 6 can't miss signs on how business goes down – from transfers to trade offs
Report: Maple Leafs among teams very interested in pursuing Mikko RantanenThe Latest
Love Island couple UNFOLLOW each other on Instagram as two-year relationship is ‘done’
As far as Love Island relationships go, two years is practically a decade; contestants always say that life inside the villa feels like months rather than weeks, anyway. But when they are back in the real world the romances they thought would last ...
IDOL: John Foster Shows Off His Best Elvis Moves While Singing “Jailhouse Rock”IDOL: John Foster Shows Off His Best Elvis Moves While Singing “Jailhouse Rock”
IDOL: John Foster Shows Off His Best Elvis Moves While Singing “Jailhouse Rock” Published Apr 28, 2025 By Miranda Raye Country fan-favorite John Foster sang Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on "American Idol." (Photo Credits: American Idol ...
PHOTOS: See Inside Sutton Stracke’s $5.3 Million ‘Main Road’ Bel Air Home Featuring a Tennis Court and Backyard Oasis, Plus See RHOBH Star’s High-End Chef’s Kitchen
Sutton Stracke‘s Bel Air home may be “on a f*cking main road,” as Dorit Kemsley declared amid The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 14 reunion, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not stunning and quite private. In October 2020, Sutton, 53, purchased the Georgian-style estate, ...
-1745855887-q80.webp "Young & Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson: ‘Getting Excited for New Beginnings’")
Young & Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson: ‘Getting Excited for New Beginnings’
While some new beginnings are often scary, others are simply exciting and when it comes to The Young and the Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) this particular one might include a little bit of both. The CBS soap star posted six ...
How Fire Country Season 3's Shocking Exit Will Impact Gabriela & Bode's Relationship Explained By Showrunner
Fire Country season 3's shocking finale exit will have a huge impact on Bode and Gabriela's relationship, according to co-creators/executive producers Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, and showrunner/executive producer Tia Napolitano. An emotionally-charged Fire Country season 3 finale episode ended with a shocking cliffhanger, ...
-1741829810-q80.webp "Tortorella recalls trying to ‘pick a fight’ with York, frustrated with current play")
-1745142519-q80.webp "Rolling Red Sox take on skidding White Sox")
-1743133258-q80.webp "Ariana Madix Opens Up About Her Melanoma Journey: \"Now I Just Have This Lovely Scar\"")
-1744598507-q80.webp "DRAFT SLEEPER ALERT: Browns Eyeing 6’5” Speed Demon as Hidden Weapon for 2025?")