Could Knight help the Giants to continue to build their linebacking corps?
The New York Giants have been getting good linebacker play over the last two years.
Even though he took a step back in 2024, Bobby Okereke has been a great addition to the Giants’ defense and Micah McFadden was all over the field in the second half of the season. But could the Giants still look to add another three-down linebacker to give their defense more depth and flexibility?
If so, they could take a long look at Demetrius Knight II from South Carolina.
Knight is relatively new to the linebacker position after transitioning from quarterback when he began his college career at Georgia Tech in 2019. However he has become one of the best and most versatile linebackers in the country in quick order.
Prospect: Demetrius Knight II (17)
Games Watched: vs. LSU (2024), vs. Ole Miss (2024), vs. Missouri (2024), vs. Clemson (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot 1 1⁄2 inches
Weight: 246 pounds
Arm length: 33 inches
Hand size: 9 5/8 inches
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Athleticism
- Football IQ
- Pass coverage
- Run defense
Demetrius Knight has prototypical size for a linebacker at the NFL level at 6-foot 1 ½ inches, 246 pounds with 33-inch arms. His size, however, belies the athleticism to be a three-down player on a modern defense.
Knight is an experienced defender who’s played in a variety of schemes at three different schools (Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and South Carolina). He shows high football IQ with an accurate first step, active communication throughout the play, and quick diagnosis of the offense. That’s particularly impressive considering Knight was a quarterback up until college, and he has just six-years’ experience as a defender.
He’s an athletic defender with surprisingly quick feet and good change of direction skills for a bigger linebacker. He gets good depth in his zone drops and is able to cover broad swaths of field at the second level. Knight does a good job of anticipating the play, plays with his eyes in the backfield, and does a great job of triggering on the ball in both zone coverage and as a run defender.
Knight uses his size and long arms well to take on blockers and can stack and shed blocks from tight ends under most circumstances, and offensive linemen as long as he initiates contact. His football IQ also shows itself in how he leverages the ball and positions himself to make plays or force the ball back to his teammates.
He’s a reliable tackler and a hard hitter who’s able to get the ball carrier on the ground when he gets his hands on him.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Blitzing aggression
- Top end athleticism
Knight is a very well-rounded linebacker with few true flaws in his game.
Individual teams might find specific limitations in his game based on their specific needs and scheme. Knight is a good athlete, but appears to lack the truly elite top-end athleticism to be a “sideline to sideline” linebacker. Likewise, he probably shouldn’t be asked to match up with athletic skill position players in man coverage.
Blitz-happy teams would probably like Knight to be more aggressive when asked to rush the passer. He doesn’t have much in the way of sack production – just 4.5 in 61 games – and he occasionally appears tentative when rushing the passer. He has a good build and the requisite athleticism for a pass rusher, but might not be comfortable doing so at this point in his development.
Game Tape
(Knight is the South Carolina linebacker wearing number 17, with black sleeves on both legs and his right arm.)
Projection
Demetrius Knight projects as a starting off-ball linebacker at the NFL level with scheme and positional diversity. He should be able to play both inside and outside linebacker and execute WILL, MIKE, or SAM duties in most defenses.
Knight is a smart player who anticipates and communicates well with his teammates to enhance the defense as a whole. He has the size, competitive toughness, and play strength to take on and shed blocks in the run game, while also being able to effectively play in space against tight ends and running backs in coverage.
The result is a player who has the coveted “three down” upside at the NFL level, and Knight shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called once the draft starts.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes. Knight should fit most defenses.
Final Word: A second round pick
