Cincinnati Bengals' Draft Haul Overshadowed by Contract Drama—But Don’t Miss These Future Playmakers
For most NFL fans, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 draft class quietly slid under the radar—but only because headlines were dominated by the ongoing contract standoff with their first-rounder, Shemar Stewart. That single drama might’ve soaked up all the post-draft buzz, but zoom out a little, and you'll realize the Bengals just stacked their roster with some serious talent.
Let’s be clear—this draft wasn’t just about the first round. Far from it. The Bengals came into this year’s draft with a mission: plug key holes, restock lost talent, and bring in guys who could contribute right out of the gate. Mission accomplished.
✴️ Linebacker Makeover in Full Swing
If you want a sneak peek into what the Bengals are cooking defensively, look no further than the linebacker room. It’s getting a full remodel, and Barrett Carter is front and center. Taken in the fourth round, Carter might not have made national waves on draft night, but trust the insiders—this kid’s legit.
“He was probably the best cover linebacker in the draft,” Bengals scout Andrew Johnson told team broadcaster Dan Hoard. “He can run, change direction, and flip his hips.”
You know what that means? Carter’s not just a traditional thumper. This dude can keep up with modern offenses. Slot him in coverage, let him roam in subpackages, and you’ll see a chess piece that offenses have to account for every snap.
🔍 Who Needs Flash When You Draft Smart?
Stewart’s situation aside, the Bengals worked the board with calculated precision. They didn’t just take “best available”—they focused on best available at need positions. That’s how you stay competitive while balancing your roster cap long-term.
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Barrett Carter: Coverage backer with speed and awareness.
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Demetrius Knight Jr.: Second-round pick with range and upside to step right into a key role.
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Oren Burks: Savvy free-agent pickup to help bring experience and stability.
Linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were a rock-solid duo, but with Pratt now out the door and Davis-Gaither gone too, Cincinnati had no choice but to reload. Knight Jr. and Carter represent a bold shift—younger, faster, more versatile. The days of plug-and-play inside linebackers are over; now, it's about coverage, movement, and adaptability.
🔥 Rebuild or Reload? Bengals Are Aiming for the Latter
There’s a strong temptation to use the word “rebuild” when a defense goes through this much change, but the Bengals aren’t waving any white flags. If anything, they’re quietly reloading for another run, mixing veterans with young upside.
Carter’s role especially becomes vital when you consider how offenses have evolved. Tight ends are basically slot receivers now, and running backs out of the backfield are more dangerous than ever. To combat that, you need a linebacker who isn’t going to get roasted in man coverage or frozen by play action. Carter fits that bill.
And let’s not forget—he slid to the fourth round. That’s day-three value for a guy many analysts pegged as a late second-round talent. Sometimes the best picks aren’t the splashiest—they’re the smartest.
🎯 Who is Demetrius Knight Jr., Really?
We gotta talk about Knight Jr., the second-rounder who might wind up being the real gem of this class. While most eyes were locked onto offensive linemen or edge rushers early in the draft, the Bengals took a swing on a linebacker who brings heat, leadership, and a sideline-to-sideline motor.
Knight Jr. might not be as flashy as Shemar Stewart, but when the pads come on this fall, don’t be surprised if it’s Knight and Logan Wilson running the middle of this defense. With Germaine Pratt gone, there’s a clear opportunity here—and the Bengals are betting Knight’s the one to seize it.
🧠 Smart Drafting: Getting Your Guys
This wasn’t just about filling positions—Cincinnati got their guys. That’s the phrase you’ll keep hearing from inside the organization. It’s not about stacking names for headlines; it’s about building a long-term roster that fits Lou Anarumo’s defensive vision.
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They knew Carter was one of the best cover linebackers available.
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They saw Knight Jr. as a starter-in-waiting.
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They added Burks, who brings a veteran voice to help these rookies adjust faster.
It’s like they built a linebacker plan with layers—youth, athleticism, and wisdom. A trio that could define the Bengals' defense over the next few years.
⚠️ What About Shemar Stewart?
Of course, we can’t talk about this draft without addressing the elephant in the room. First-round pick Shemar Stewart is still sitting on the sidelines as contract negotiations hit a snag. It’s frustrating for fans, no doubt. But the front office isn’t hitting the panic button just yet.
The general feeling? Stewart will get inked eventually. These things happen with top picks—big money, complicated clauses, egos, all of it. But when the dust settles, the Bengals still expect Stewart to become a defensive cornerstone.
Until then, it’s next man up.
💬 Final Word: Don’t Sleep on These Rookies
Sure, Stewart’s name is in the headlines, but the real story is what’s happening behind the scenes. The Bengals drafted for scheme fit, versatility, and future upside. It wasn’t flashy, but it was strategic.
Barrett Carter might turn into the kind of linebacker who quietly becomes a Pro Bowler before the rest of the league even realizes what happened. Knight Jr. could become a staple in Lou Anarumo’s system, and Burks will likely be the locker-room guy holding it all together when the rookies hit that mid-season wall.
So yeah, the Shemar Stewart drama might’ve stolen the spotlight. But don’t get it twisted—the Cincinnati Bengals quietly crushed the 2025 NFL Draft.
🔻 Key Takeaways:
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✅ Barrett Carter was the best cover linebacker in the draft, per Bengals scouts.
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✅ Second-rounder Demetrius Knight Jr. could start immediately with Pratt gone.
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✅ Free-agent Oren Burks adds veteran leadership and versatility.
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✅ Bengals focused on versatility, speed, and subpackage flexibility in their linebacker room.
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✅ Stewart’s contract drama is a concern, but it doesn’t overshadow a solid draft strategy.
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