According to sources, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV.
Booker, a fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2022, will add depth to the Raiders’ defensive line following the release of Christian Wilkins, who is rehabilitating from a Jones fracture sustained in October. Last season, Booker appeared in 17 games (one start) for the Eagles, recording 18 tackles and one sack.
The 25-year-old joined the Eagles’ practice squad in 2023 after playing 10 games in Houston as a rookie.
Booker enters a competitive defensive tackle market in Las Vegas. During camp, the team rotated Tyree Wilson, Leki Fotu, Jonah Laulu, Zach Carter, and newcomers Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues to give them a chance in the interior.
Bennett’s Journey and Role with the Raiders
Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023, leaves after playing 24 games (11 starts) for the Raiders. The former Maryland standout performed admirably in his second NFL season, which lasted only ten games due to season-ending surgery for a ruptured labrum.
Bennett, who played predominantly outside cornerback, recorded 26 tackles and eight pass deflections. He also allowed 23 catches for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and an 86.7 passer rating on 45 targets as the closest defender.
Bennett, 24, stated in June that he has never felt better in terms of health since college. He played through his labrum injury before electing to have surgery. Despite his full health, Bennett has slid down the depth chart.
Bennett has mostly played on the second and third teams since the OTAs. Meanwhile, Eric Stokes and youngster Darien Porter have seen the majority of first-team reps. Decamerion Richardson and JT Woods, second-year cornerbacks, have also taken snaps with the starters throughout practice.
Bennett indicated last week that he wasn’t concerned about playing largely with backups.
“I always feel like the underdog,” Bennett explained last week. “I’ve always had to get out of the dirt, you know. And that is not something I shy away from. That is who I am. I choose to persevere.
The Eagles parted ways with veteran Darius Slay this offseason, and they have yet to secure the starting outside corner position opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Philadelphia signed Adoree’ Jackson to a one-year contract in March. He’s been splitting first-team reps with Kelee Ringo, a 2023 fourth-round choice. On Monday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated that there has been no separation in the race.
“It’s close,” Fangio stated. “I think both of them are having a good camp, but it’s close, and I’ve been happy with both of them, and we’ll see.”
According to a source, the trade is still pending physicals from both sides.
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