Latest news with #DemetriusKnightJr.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Cincinnati Bengals rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. still without contract as training camp approaches
(Image via Getty Images: Demetrius Knight Jr.) The Cincinnati Bengals are stuck in yet another contract standoff – this time with rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.., their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Knight Jr. , taken 49th overall, remains unsigned heading into training camp, as the team resists a league-wide shift in how second-round contracts are structured. So, what's holding things up? For one, Demetrius Knight Jr. is part of a new wave of second-round picks pushing for fully guaranteed contracts, a trend sparked by the early deals in this year's draft class, and the Bengals' front office seems reluctant to adapt. The moment Demetrius Knight got THE call Rookie linebacker still unsigned as training camp nears Demetrius Knight Jr. may have taken part in spring practices with the Bengals, but that doesn't mean much now. With training camp on the horizon, the lack of a signed deal could keep him off the field entirely. And because he hasn't signed, the team can't fine him for skipping camp either – leaving both sides in limbo. This clash over contract terms isn't happening in a vacuum. In fact, the Bengals are juggling multiple offseason contract storylines, including pass rusher Trey Hendrickson's threat to sit out and first-round pick defensive end Shemar Stewart also remaining unsigned. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Add Demetrius Knight Jr.'s situation to the mix and it's clear the front office has its hands full. Elijah Arroyo deal gives Cincinnati Bengals little wiggle room The Bengals are feeling added pressure after tight end Elijah Arroyo, selected 50th overall by the Seattle Seahawks – just one pick after Knight Jr.. – signed a contract with $6.872 million guaranteed out of $8.813 million total. With 78 percent of his deal guaranteed, Arroyo's contract now serves as a clear benchmark in Knight Jr.'s negotiations. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Arroyo's deal follows the new expectation that second-rounders near the top of the round get significantly more guaranteed money than in years past. Knight's camp holdout could cost Bengals on the field While the Bengals are known for being tough in contract talks, digging in with Demetrius Knight Jr. might backfire. He's expected to play a key role right away, and missing training camp could slow his development. With other roster issues already in play, the team may be creating more problems than it needs to. Also Read: 'Love you': 4-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Montana called up his wife Jennifer from the NFL sidelines after winning | NFL News - Times of India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Remaining Players on PFF's Bengals Top 100-Big Board Entering Day 3
Remaining Players on PFF's Bengals Top 100-Big Board Entering Day 3 The Cincinnati Bengals added linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. out of South Carolina in the second round and Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild in the third round. Heading into Day 3, the Bengals currently have picks 119, 153 and 193. Just like Day 2, this will be a quick rundown of all the players on that board from Pro Football Focus' Bengals-specific big board still available heading into Day 3 and where they ranked on the board. The board was built based on the team needs and future needs as PFF sees it. The needs for the Bengals as listed by PFF were: Primary: Zone OG, Man/Gap OG, 3-tech DT, 3-4 DE, 4-3 EDGE, 3-4 EDGE Secondary: Zone C, Man/Gap C, F-TE (receiving), Y-TE (blocking), Slot WR, RB, NT, WLB, Wide Man CB, Coverage Safety Ancillary: Zone OT, Man/Gap OT, X WR, Z WR, MLB, Wide Zone CB, Box Safety, Nickel No Need: QB, SLB RELATED: Instant analysis of Bengals picking Dylan Fairchild in the third round Here are the players remaining on their PFF big board entering round two. 34. Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU46. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford53. Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State57. Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina58. CJ West, DT, Indiana66. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State67. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State68. Jared Ivey, DE, Ole Miss78. Damien Martinez, RB, Miami80. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss81. Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue86. Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State87. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee89. Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU90. DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State91. David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas92. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech93. Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama96. Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati97. Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas100. Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee RELATED: Bengals receive extremely mixed grades for Shemar Stewart pick
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Instant analysis of Bengals picking Dylan Fairchild in the third round
Instant analysis of Bengals picking Dylan Fairchild in the third round The Cincinnati Bengals drafted a guy in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft that they think can win the starting left guard job with Georgia's Dylan Fairchild. It's a long-awaited move for the Bengals after the team didn't do anything major in free agency at the needy spots besides bringing back Cody Ford and signing Lucas Patrick. Fairchild, a two-year starter, graded out with an 89.2 PFF pass-blocking grade since 2023, first amongst all guards. Lance Zierlein wrote the following: "Two-year starter who will offer more with his pass protection than his run blocking. Fairchild plays with quick hands and adequate athleticism as a move blocker. He's big but struggles to push opponents and sustain blocks at the point of attack and wasn't enough of a difference-maker for the run game. He's steady in protection with decent range and active hands. He's athletic enough to recover against counters but could have issues when matched against a good bull rush. Fairchild could go in the middle rounds and eventually become a starter." RELATED: Instant analysis of Bengals picking Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round There were bigger, more-hyped names available to the Bengals at other spots, especially when Tate Ratledge was on the board for them in the second round and they really nailed down the linebacker problem with Demetrius Knight Jr. instead. But Fairchild is one heck of a consolation prize, especially because they really value the pass-blocking aspect with their guards. Like his former teammate Amarius Mims last year, he's certainly got a chance to win the left guard job over the summer and enter the season as the starter. That actually happening would mean Cordell Volson heads for a backup role while one of Patrick or Ford start at the other guard spot. For now, though, this is a good value pick by the Bengals and likely the first all fans agree was a solid move during the early parts of this draft. RELATED: Best reactions after Bengals draft Demetrius Knight Jr. in second round
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PFF declares South Carolina LB as 'Best Day 2 fit' for New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have two quality starting linebackers, but that could be more of a position of need than most people consider. Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron recently picked one Day 2 prospect for each NFL team. For the Saints, he went with linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. of the South Carolina Gamecocks. This is what Cameron had to say about his selection: Advertisement "Knight will be one of the oldest players (25) drafted this season, but that doesn't mean a team won't value his maturity as a player with solid all-around fundamentals. He posted a 74.0-plus PFF grade in all three major defensive facets in 2024. With Demario Davis' career winding down, Knight should be able to learn plenty from the veteran before stepping in to replace him." The six-year college football star would certainly be an interesting pick for the Saints in the second or third round. Knight is already an old player that really only has two years of real production under his belt. Over his first four years at Georgia Tech, he had just 51 tackles with three for a loss and one sack. Between his time with the Charlotte 49ers and the Gamecocks, though, Knight was able to amass 178 tackles with 14 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He seems to have come into his own, it just took a while. For a 25-year-old to be worth taking so early, he would need to be able to step in and act as their third linebacker immediately. What Knight does have going for him is the fact that he was a former quarterback and plays with a base line of natural instinct in the run game. He is a solid athlete with a 8.17 Relative Athletic Score. They only thing that really stands out about his testing numbers is that he had a 4.58-second time in the 40-yard dash. That should clear any in-house metrics the Saints use. Advertisement Knight mostly seems as a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect that would not be a game changer for New Orleans. While it wouldn't be the worst pick they could make, it certainly wouldn't be the best. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: PFF: South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr. is Saints' best Day 2 fit
