The Cincinnati Bengals overhauled the linebacker position in the offseason, parting ways with Germaine Pratt and letting Akeem Davis-Gaither walk in free agency. The team signed Oren Burks and drafted two linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft, joining the likes of Logan Wilson. Highlighting one of the two players the Bengals added is an SEC star.
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The Cincinnati Bengals selected an SEC star on Day 2
The Bengals drafted Demetrius Knight Jr. 49th overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After spending his first five years of college with Georgia Tech and Charlotte, he transferred to South Carolina for the 2024 season. Knight had a great lone season with the Gamecocks, recording 82 tackles, eight TFLs, two sacks, one interception, one pass deflection, and three forced fumbles in 13 games.
Due to the holdup on fully guaranteed contracts with second-round picks, he has yet to sign a rookie deal. The Bengals had their rookies report to training camp on Saturday, and by rule, if a rookie has not signed a contract, they are not allowed to participate in practice.
Cincinnati Bengals ink Day 1 start to rookie contract
According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, the Bengals and Demetrius Knight Jr. have finally agreed to a rookie contract with the report day looming. As Schultz points out, the deal is for four years, with nearly 80% of his salary fully guaranteed at signing. This is the first time in NFL history that a 49th pick has received guaranteed money in Year 4.
Sources: The #Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing. It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four.
With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp… pic.twitter.com/Vfc44XKhCQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 19, 2025
Here’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Demetrius Knight Jr.
“Passionate linebacker with great size, good instincts and a feel for how to play the position. Knight is a fluid athlete with average pursuit speed and short-area burst. He uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back.
“He’s adept at slipping blocks and rarely allows blockers to stick and sustain on the second level. He’s aware and productive in zone but could struggle to stay connected in man coverage. He’s not a twitchy mover but knows how to play the game and has a chance to play on all three downs.
“Knight’s field demeanor and football character should seal the deal as a future starter at inside ‘backer.”
He predicts that he will eventually become a plus starter in the NFL.
