{"id":21584,"date":"2025-04-28T14:40:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T14:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=21584"},"modified":"2025-04-28T14:40:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T14:40:38","slug":"breaking-heres-why-the-bengals-drafted-two-linebackers-in-the-first-four-rounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=21584","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING : Here\u2019s why the Bengals drafted two linebackers in the first four rounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NCAA<\/p>\n

A lot of fans were left scratching their heads when the Cincinnati Bengals selected a 25-year-old linebacker in the second round, taking Demetrius Knight Jr. out of South Carolina.<\/p>\n

Then, two rounds later, the Bengals double-dipped at linebacker, taking Barrett Carter out of Clemson.<\/p>\n

So what was the reasoning?<\/p>\n

We asked the founder of RAS, Kent Lee Platte, better known by his Twitter\/X handle, \u201cMathBomb\u201d.<\/p>\n

Why the Bengals drafted Demetrius Knight<\/h3>\n

Platte explained that sometimes positions that we think aren\u2019t as valuable can be crucial to the success of a defense just because of the scheme it runs. He shared the example of Mike DeVito and the New York Jets. When the nosetackle went down, the defense went down with him.<\/p>\n

The analyst then highlighted the fact that a team that runs a lot of front seven looks can rely heavily on linebackers blitzing when they can\u2019t get consistent pressure from the front four.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may be a lower value position, and he may be older than most prospects,\u201d Platte said, \u201cBut it\u2019s still a position the team feels it needs to run an efficient defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why the Bengals drafted Barrett Carter<\/h3>\n

First Platte gave fans hope that Carter could surprise people.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a modern linebacker, so a smaller linebacker with speed and explosion,\u201d Platte said. He then talked about how Bobby Wagner was overlooked in the Draft before developing into a versatile playmaker all over the field.<\/p>\n

Then Platte explained how drafting Carter could be a sort of backup plan in case guys like Shemar Stewart need more time to develop:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you do have some concerns about Shemar Stewart\u2019s learning curve in being able to tackle, if they have legitimate concerns about themselves being able to coach him up, you can do a lot worse than putting some guys behind him who can catch up when he misses,\u201d Platte said. \u201cIf you\u2019re thinking to yourself \u2018We need a contingency plan in case our front line guys aren\u2019t able to hold up\u2019, getting linebackers with speed is a good way to cover that up.<\/p>\n

You can watch the entire analysis below.<\/p>\n