Why Bringing In a Rookie Linebacker Gives the Bengals Defensive Line Hope

The Bengals have been working on their defensive line during the offseason this year. It’s been an essential factor for them if they want to have another playoff run this year. At the moment, it looked like the Bengals' defensive line was heading for a complete collapse. However, they recently signed linebacker Demetrius Knight over the weekend to provide the boost they need, so things should be better for them this coming season. With the contract dispute going on between Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart, Knight is going to be more important than everyone thinks. 

As a rookie starting in the NFL, Knight is already considered a great player whom the Bengals picked up during this past year's draft. He has played for three different colleges at the start of his football career. He played at Georgia Tech for his first two seasons, appearing in 36 games and recording 51 tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles during the 2019-2022 seasons. He then attended Charlotte, where he was named to the first-team All-AAC Defensive Team. Lastly, he came out of South Carolina, where he was the team captain and a defensive co-MVP. The Bengals did their homework when it came to rebuilding their defensive line. 

This young and rising linebacker is considered a perfect fit in the NFL. Many teams had hopes, and with the Bengals, he already seems to be a good fit. Knight has been a plug-and-play player since the day he set foot in Cincinnati to show them what he can do. When he played in college, he was already a standout on the field for each of the teams he had played for. The NFL scouts praised him for his combination of size and speed, believing he should be a very well-rounded player on the field, making the necessary stops for the Bengals. 

Bringing in this rookie linebacker is an excellent way to go for this team. He is mature and is already showing leadership. It is going to move the Bengals ahead this season, especially with how they are trying to rebuild the defensive line, as they are having trouble staying together. With Stewart and Hendrickson not showing up to any of the practices, Knight becomes their go-to number one. The Bengals have faith in him because they even gave him a historic rookie contract because of how well he has already proven himself. It’s the first time that a 49th pick was signed to a four-year deal with 80 percent guarantees. The Bengals need to finish building the line around him, and their defensive line will be one of the best in the league.