In a rare preseason player-for-player deal, the Raiders are trading cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in return for defensive tackle Thomas Booker, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Both players will have to pass a physical for the trade to go through, according to The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena.
Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started four games as a rookie before stepping into a bigger role with seven starts in 2024. He commanded a 71% snap share in the Raiders’ first 10 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Despite seeming to prove himself in Las Vegas, Bennett may not have fit into new head coach Pete Carroll‘s plans for this season.
The Raiders are confident in their other cornerbacks, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, including free agent signing and projected starter Eric Stokes. Bennett had been working consistently with the Raiders’ second-string defense, per ESPN.com’s Ryan McFadden. Stokes and third-round rookie Darien Porter had been receiving most of the first-team reps, and Bennett will receive a fresh start. Two years remain on his rookie contract.
In Philadelphia, Bennett is expected to compete for the Eagles’ open outside cornerback job with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has indicated that neither player has stood out at this point, and Bennett could mix up the competition further.
Booker, meanwhile, was deemed surplus to requirements in the Eagles’ talented young defensive line room with players like Gabe Hall and Byron Young impressing in training camp, per the Inquirer’s EJ Smith. Originally a 2022 fifth-round pick by the Texans, Booker appeared in 10 games as a rookie but was waived during roster cuts in 2023. He spent the year on the Eagles’ practice squad, earned a 53-man roster spot in 2024, and appeared in every game during the team’s championship season.
Booker will now join a Raiders defensive line room that just lost Christian Wilkins as well as 2024 starter John Jenkins earlier in the offseason. Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, and Zachary Carter are all returning from last year’s unit with a handful of inexpensive veterans and rookies behind them. Booker will join that group competing for a depth role, though his 53-man roster chances are boosted by the fact that the Raiders moved to acquire him.
He’s fast , but how good is he? Seems like more depth and competition at CB. I’m guessing they are happy with DT depth.
Sounds like his coverage skills improved greatly in year 2 but there are possible durability issues.
Some defensive players are simply not good matches for certain schemes.
returner?? Special teams??
I really liked Booker as a backup but hopefully the corner we got can stick and actually play well.
Bennett is undersized, but fast as lightning. Raiders drafted what Pete wants..tall, rangy corners. Dudes a good corner just small and the Raiders need DT depth.
I don’t know anything about Bennett. Is he really going to be in contention for CB2 or is he going to be fighting further down the depth chart?
I see depth. He crawled up the depth chart but all it was Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs.
He’s actually a decent CB. Surprised me last year a little bit. But I wasn’t expecting much.
After losing Watkins the Raiders DL wont be very good. But they were already thin in the backfield and lost a CB for the year with a broken leg. So surprised to see them trade one of their CBs today.
CB will return. Wilkins won’t.
Lonnie Johnson was a S and a likely 3rd stringer or nickelback at best. His injury is a non-event to the CB room.
Their CB’s will be Stokes on one side with Darien Porter and/or Decamerion Richardson on the other and Darnay Holmes at Nickel. I’d also expect their two UDFA’s from USC, Humphrey and Greedy Vance, to get some run during the 2nd half of the season. Bunch of long, big athletes as DB’s between Porter, Richardson, Chinn, Pola-Moa,
This is the (Pete) Way
The DB they lost for the year wasn’t in contention to be a starter. He’s actually a safety by trade but was signed because he is a good special teamer. Nothing to do with CB.
Eagles are worried about the Lamb/Pickens combo. They are in trouble on the outside.
Lol
haha. what are you smoking? Afraid of the cowboys wrs. typical idiot cowboy fan
With Q, Coop and other decent corners? And with Dak throwing? Not worried as much as you would want.
I like trades between teams that will face each other during the season. Eagles host Raiders December 14.
The revenge of Thomas Booker…lol
Bennet just didn’t fit the size for a Pete Carroll CB. He should find a role in Philly.
Agreed as he’s a good CB who I thought played well in limited action. Just not a guy that fits the mold that Pete wants though so it’s easy to move on when a talented DT comes in return.
As a whole, it’s a win for both teams.
Booker definitely can give you quality snaps at DT.
The competition for the starting QB job opposite Quinyon Mitchell seemed to have devolved into which candidate is least “meh”….despite initial expectations that multiple folks would excel in a battle of quality and not mediocrity.
I always thought Ringo was gonna be the guy who developed into a guy at CB but not sure he has the foot speed to be anything more than a S.
Raiders undoubtedly need some guys at DT cause relying on Butler and others just isn’t good enough in a division with SD and Denver who want to run it down your throat. Hope you’re correct that Booker can be healthy all season.
He is a very good athlete who doesn’t fit old man Carrolls cover 3. He likes them long, lanky and with a mug shot.