​Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus named two Cincinnati Bengals among the top 10 second-year players under pressure to perform in 2026. Unsurprisingly, both players come from a Bengals defense that finished 30th in scoring (28.9 points per game) last season, ranked 24th against the pass, and was dead last against the run. According to PFF, 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-rounder Demetrius Knight Jr. must deliver bounce-back seasons to bolster Al Golden’s unit.
The Bengals improved their defense through free agency, the draft, and a blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence, but they notably did not add a linebacker. The hope is that Knight and Barrett Carter can take a step forward after being thrust into starting roles as rookies.
PFF on Demetrius Knight Jr.: Knight became a staple for Cincinnati’s defense, yet his performance did not meet expectations. His 40.2 overall PFF grade ranked 56th out of 59 qualified linebackers in 2025, with run defense and coverage grades both at 45.5. The South Carolina product also missed 15% of his tackles, tied for 15th-highest among his peers. While the Bengals upgraded their defensive line and secondary, their linebacker corps remained largely untouched. Given that Cincinnati’s linebackers were the worst in the NFL by overall PFF grade last season, Knight will need to elevate his play if the defense is to approach league average. With improved surroundings, the soon-to-be 26-year-old Knight should find himself under even brighter scrutiny.
The Bengals are counting on Knight and Carter to improve, and both players feel more confident in their roles as they head into their second seasons. “I know what to expect. I know the playbook,” Knight told The Enquirer during minicamp. “When you come in as a rookie, you’re trying to weather the punches and make sure you’re good for that day. Now I can understand what’s happening today, what’s happening tomorrow, what we did last week—just being at home.”
The Bengals’ minicamp photos show players warming up ahead of practice, underscoring the anticipation around Knight and Carter’s progression in 2026. Stewart, meanwhile, is coming off a wobbly rookie campaign that began with a contract dispute and ended after just 11 tackles in eight games. Knee and ankle injuries limited him to 280 snaps, and he finished with only one sack. PFF notes that even when Stewart was healthy, he underperformed significantly, posting a 41.2 overall grade—worst among 120 edge rushers with 250 or more snaps—and a poor 29.3 run-defense grade. As a pass-rusher, his ranking fell into the 12th percentile, highlighting the uphill climb Stewart faces to become a productive contributor in Cincinnati’s defense.