2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Demetrius Knight Jr.

Strengths

• He is an effective zone coverage linebacker who achieves good depth in his drops and reads the quarterback's eyes well.
• At 6'2" and 246 pounds, he has a solid frame that he combines with power at the point of contact.
• His exceptional click-and-close ability makes him a standout blitzing linebacker.
• Elite football intelligence translates to exceptional play speed.
• In run support, he navigates through traffic effectively at the line of scrimmage.
• Minimal wasted movement in space.

Weaknesses

• An older prospect at 25 years old.
• Only one year of high-level competition following fewer than 300 snaps in four years at Georgia Tech.
• He doesn't have much tape showing his ability in man coverage.
• Agility is only sufficient, pushing him into a more north-south attacking scheme.
• His hip tightness is evident when in coverage.
• He gets caught flat-footed at times in zone coverage.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Demetrius Knight Jr.

Demetrius Knight Jr. possesses the experience and football IQ to become an immediate contributor in the NFL. His capability to play special teams will ensure he gets drafted on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the upcoming draft. What I like most about him as a player is the raw power and aggressiveness he brings to the game. He's a hard-hitting player at the line of scrimmage and is not afraid to confront contact and work through blocks.

Although Knight is a relentless player whose tenacity is evident on tape, his age and limitations in agility will make him somewhat dependent on the scheme at the next level. He is best suited for an attacking style of defense that allows him to leverage his skills as a blitzer and move close to the line of scrimmage, where his play speed shines.

With Dennis Allen implementing an aggressive defense in Chicago, it's worth considering whether a player like Demetrius Knight Jr. could take on the role Demario Davis played in New Orleans for years.

I currently project Knight as an end-of-round three, early-round four player. Given the resources already invested in Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, I'm unsure if the Bears will want to allocate that kind of capital to the linebacker position. However, if Knight slips further into day 3, he would be an intriguing addition to a Bears' linebacking corps that currently lacks significant depth.

Pro Comp: Kenneth Murray Jr.