In a move that was in the making for a while now, the Cincinnati Bengals released linebacker Germain Pratt last Tuesday. The linebacker played four seasons in stripes, logging 88 starts, seven interceptions, 616 tackles, and 3.5 sacks in his six-year tenure in the Queen City.
Now, the question for the team is who is in line to replace Pratt. Like a bad hand in spades, here are two players, and a possible, currently on the roster, who are looking to take their place alongside Logan Wilson in the starting lineup.
Maema Njongmeta
A fan favorite who Cincinnati fans would love to see take the next step is Maema Njongmeta.
As an undrafted rookie free agent, Njongmeta defied the odds and made the final 53-man roster out of training camp last year. He had a superb preseason performance, leading the team in tackles and demonstrating his ability to be a regular contributor on special teams.
There is an open starting spot opposite Logan Wilson now with Germaine Pratt signed to the Oakland Raiders. While he should expect stiff competition from veterans and rookies alike, there is no reason not to believe that Njongmeta couldn’t pry the starting position away from all comers.
Last season, Njongmeta started one game and recorded 13 tackles and two fumble recoveries. With new defense coordinator Al Golden being a linebacker specialist, the young linebacker could take an even bigger step under his tutelage. Something akin to when Marvin Lewis took another undrafted linebacker, Vontez Burfict, under his wing.
Demetrius Knight Jr.
The player that the organization is counting on the most to take over for Pratt is their second-round pick from this year’s draft, Demetrius Knight Jr.
The Bengals brought in the 24-year-old because they think he is NFL-ready. Additionally, his playing style is reminiscent of Pratt's. His forte is running downhill, fitting run lanes, something that Pratt is good at, despite some missed tackle issues.
Cincinnati will also count on Knight as an occasional blitzer for a team that needs all the pass rush help it can get.
While Knight could step in right away in Pratt’s absence, don’t expect him to be a three-down linebacker. He must drastically improve in coverage before Al Golden relies on him to run with running backs and tight ends in pass defense. That is something that Pratt got better at with time.
But how much time will it take for Knight to become competent in pass defense? No matter the length, that is precious time that a struggling defense looking for immediate help does not have.
Nevertheless, we should expect Demetrius Knight to start in Pratt’s place if everything goes according to the team’s draft plans. And of course, if he signs his contract.
Shemar Stewart
It may seem unusual to include Shemar Stewart on this list, but hear us out. The reason the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him was because of his physical skills. It was not because of his production as a pass rusher. Stewart is big, strong, and fast. He can be all three of those things from the linebacker position.
The Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons as a linebacker. However, once the games started, the rookie lined up everywhere. It took a while for them to settle on edge rusher as Parsons’ primary position. The Bengals could do something similar with Stewart.
No, Stewart will not be as good in coverage as Pratt was. However, neither will Demetrius Knight. And when it comes to playing sideline to sideline like most NFL linebackers this era do, Stewart is faster and more athletic to handle that part of the game than Knight, who is more of a downhill thumper type.
Stewart tested in the 90th percentile in the broad jump, vertical jump, 10-yard split, and the 40-yard dash, where he ran a 4.5. His explosive numbers are impressive. His production numbers as a pass rusher are less so.
Stewart playing linebacker could be a good way for him to get his feet under him while he figures things out as an NFL-caliber pass rusher. Furthermore, Golden could have another weapon to deploy as a blitzer from the second level of the defense as a disruptive force.
And while you may think that Stewart’s size, 6’5, 267, would prevent him from playing linebacker, it should not. His athleticism will allow him to run with most other linebackers. Stewart’s explosive testing was much greater than Barrett Carter’s, a linebacker whom Cincinnati selected in the fourth round.
Also, there are a few linebackers in the league who come close to his size. Among them are Tampa Bay's Anthony Nelson (6'7, 271), Baltimore's Tavius Robinson (6'6, 262), Oakland's Andre Carter II (6'6, 256), who played linebacker for the Vikings last season, and recently retired Dallas Cowboys Leighton Vander Esch (6'4, 256). They all play a bit of a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher role that could fit Stewart's skillset better than a classic defensive end. At least early in his career.
However, before we consider how Al Golden will utilize him in Cincinnati's revamped defense, like Knight, Stewart must first sign his contract.
The experience Pratt brings to the defense leaves a void, no matter who takes over for the veteran linebacker. We can only hope that the lack of experience at the position does not hinder the defense’s progression. But instead, younger and more explosive players add to it.