Eagles Make Bold Move: Trade for CB Jakorian Bennett in 1-for-1 Swap with Raiders
Eagles Bolster Secondary, Acquire CB Jakorian Bennett from Raiders for DT Thomas Booker
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a move to bolster their secondary, acquiring cornerback Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive tackle Thomas Booker. The Eagles, always active in the trade market, pulled off this player-for-player swap in the first week of the preseason, aiming to add depth and competition at the cornerback position.
Background on Bennett and Booker
Jakorian Bennett, 24, was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Maryland. In his two seasons with the Raiders, Bennett appeared in 24 games, starting 11 of them. He made an impact in coverage, finishing third on the team with eight passes defensed last season despite playing in only 10 games due to a torn labrum.
Thomas Booker, 25, was originally a fifth-round selection by the Houston Texans in the 2022 draft out of Stanford. After one season in Houston, Booker was released and subsequently signed to the Eagles’ practice squad before the 2023 season. Although he didn’t see game action that year, Booker played in all 21 games, including the playoffs, for the Super Bowl champion Eagles last season. He recorded 18 tackles and a sack, serving as the fifth defensive tackle in a talent-rich position group.
Eagles Address Cornerback Competition
The Eagles’ decision to trade for Bennett stems from their ongoing search for a starting outside cornerback to pair with Quinyon Mitchell. The competition between Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson has been inconclusive thus far, with both players delivering inconsistent performances throughout the Eagles’ nine training camp practices.
Jackson, on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, is being given a fair shot to win the starting job. Ringo, a fourth-round pick in 2023, is just 23 years old and the Eagles have been patient with his development. However, Ringo’s struggles with defending the deep ball in coverage may have prompted the Eagles to bring in Bennett, who was drafted one pick ahead of Ringo.
Bennett’s Potential Impact on the Eagles’ Secondary
While Bennett has room for improvement as a tackler (ranked 185th out of 207 cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus), he excels in coverage. Last season, opposing quarterbacks targeting Bennett had a passer rating of just 52.1, as he allowed zero touchdowns and interceptions. Quarterbacks completed only 45% of their passes when throwing in Bennett’s direction, averaging a mere 4.4 yards per attempt.
With four weeks until the regular season opener, Bennett has time to acclimate to the Eagles’ system and compete for the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Mitchell. His addition not only provides depth but could also allow Cooper DeJean to see more snaps at safety.
Raiders’ Perspective on the Trade
For the Raiders, trading a starting-caliber cornerback like Bennett for defensive tackle depth in Booker is an intriguing move. The Eagles had ample depth at defensive tackle with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Ty Robinson, making Booker expendable. Booker’s versatility to play nose tackle in five-technique and line up at defensive tackle in four-technique, combined with his pass-rushing ability, gives him a chance to earn significant snaps with the Raiders.
The Raiders released Christian Wilkins last month and needed to fill the void with additional depth at defensive tackle. Booker joins a group that includes Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Leki Fotu, and rookie Tonka Hemingway.
FAQ
1. Q: Why did the Eagles trade for Jakorian Bennett?
A: The Eagles traded for Bennett to add depth and competition at the cornerback position. With inconsistent performances from Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson in the battle for the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles felt the need to bring in another talented player to bolster their secondary.
2. Q: What does Jakorian Bennett bring to the Eagles’ defense?
A: Bennett is known for his coverage skills. Last season, he allowed a passer rating of just 52.1 when targeted, giving up zero touchdowns and interceptions. Quarterbacks completed only 45% of their passes against him, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. While his tackling needs improvement, Bennett’s coverage abilities make him a valuable addition to the Eagles’ secondary.
3. Q: How does Thomas Booker fit into the Raiders’ defensive line?
A: Booker’s versatility allows him to play nose tackle in five-technique and line up at defensive tackle in four-technique. He’s also shown promise as a pass rusher when given opportunities. With the Raiders releasing Christian Wilkins and needing depth at defensive tackle, Booker has a chance to earn significant snaps alongside Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Leki Fotu, and Tonka Hemingway.
4. Q: What does this trade mean for the Eagles’ cornerback competition?
A: The acquisition of Bennett intensifies the competition for the starting outside cornerback job opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Bennett now has four weeks to learn the Eagles’ system and compete with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson for the role. His presence also provides the Eagles with the flexibility to potentially use Cooper DeJean more at safety.
5. Q: Why did the Raiders part ways with Jakorian Bennett?
A: Despite Bennett’s proven ability as a starting cornerback, he appeared to fall out of favor with the Raiders due to his size (listed at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds). With a new coaching staff and system in place under Pete Carroll, other players like Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Decamerion Richardson were moving ahead of Bennett on the depth chart. Rather than potentially losing him to waivers, the Raiders traded Bennett to acquire defensive line depth in Booker.
Conclusion & Outlook
The Eagles-Raiders trade involving Jakorian Bennett and Thomas Booker is a strategic move for both teams. The Eagles address their need for cornerback depth and competition, while the Raiders bolster their defensive line with a versatile player in Booker.
For the Eagles, Bennett has the opportunity to win the starting outside cornerback job opposite Quinyon Mitchell. His coverage skills make him a valuable asset in the secondary, and he has four weeks to prove himself worthy of a starting role.
On the Raiders’ side, Booker joins a defensive tackle group in need of depth following the release of Christian Wilkins. His ability to play multiple techniques and contribute as a pass rusher gives him a chance to earn significant snaps in the Raiders’ defensive line rotation.
As the preseason unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Bennett and Booker acclimate to their new teams and compete for playing time. This player-for-player swap has the potential to benefit both the Eagles and Raiders as they fine-tune their rosters for the upcoming season.
