Aug 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony (33) during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Sports Illustrated Names Bengals Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. As Team's Best Rookie

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated May 27, 2025 7:32 AM ET

Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick dropped his best rookie for each NFL team last week and landed on Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. for Cincinnati.

The Bengals selected the experienced linebacker with the 49th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

"In the first round, the Bengals took a swing on Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart—a high-ceiling but underproductive physical specimen—and Stewart figures to be a developmental prospect. Second-round linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., meanwhile, is in line to start next to Logan Wilson and should produce early and often," Flick wrote. "Knight is rangy, physical and competitive, and as Cincinnati aims to take a substantial step forward defensively, the South Carolina product is a quality piece in the middle."

Knight should get plenty of snaps this fall, especially if the Bengals end up cutting or trading Germaine Pratt like many expect the team to do.

The former South Carolina thumper played over 1,100 snaps in the past two seasons and has performed well on that volume (82.8 2024 Pro Football Focus grade, 77.8 grade in 2023).