Eagles Betting on Potential with August 4th Trade for Jakorian Bennett
Just when you thought Howie Roseman was taking a break in his GM wizardry, he goes and pulls off another trade that has Eagles fans buzzing. The Philadelphia Eagles have added some youthful energy to their secondary by snagging cornerback Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive tackle Thomas Booker. On the surface, it looks like a small preseason move. But dig deeper, and it tells you a lot about what the Eagles are cooking up this season.
Why Did the Eagles Make This Move?
First, the obvious. The Eagles needed more depth at cornerback. Sure, they’ve got some promising names in Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson battling it out at training camp, but the truth is, neither has fully locked down a starting spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. And then you slide Jakorian Bennett into the mix, and suddenly the battle gets a lot more interesting.
Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023 out of Maryland, hasn’t exactly had an easy road in the NFL. Injuries have slowed him down in his first two seasons, which probably explains why Pete Carroll and Co. in Vegas were ready to part ways. But make no mistake, this guy has talent. When healthy, Bennett flashed undeniable potential with his athleticism and ability to disrupt passing lanes. Case in point? His 10-game stretch last season, where he racked up 26 tackles and eight pass deflections. Those numbers don’t sound like a guy who sits quietly on the bench. Here’s a visual representation of those numbers…
Jakorian Bennett allowed just 18 catches on 37 targets for zero touchdowns last year in 294 coverage snaps.
He's struggled staying healthy, but he can play. The Eagles CB2 battle just got really interesting.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) August 5, 2025
For Philadelphia, this move is less about what Bennett has already done and more about what he could do. Roseman saw a chance to grab a young, athletic cornerback still on his rookie deal (through 2026, no less). It’s low risk, high reward. Plus, Bennett’s salary practically qualifies as peanuts in NFL terms, giving the Eagles more flexibility to spend elsewhere.
What Does This Mean for the Eagles’ Roster?
Eagles fans, take note. Bennett isn’t walking into an open starting spot. This trade signals competition, and lots of it. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently said that the battle between Ringo and Jackson for that No. 2 corner job was “close.” Translation? No one has blown the coaching staff away yet.
Adding Bennett to the picture gives the Eagles yet another option. If Ringo doesn’t elevate his game or Jackson looks like the guy the Giants decided to move on from, don’t be shocked if Bennett sneaks into the starting lineup. At the very least, he provides quality depth, which every NFL team desperately needs during the grind of the regular season.
Now, flip the coin. The Eagles are parting ways with defensive tackle Thomas Booker, a player who appeared in all 17 regular-season games and four postseason contests last year, albeit in a reserve role. With guys like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and rookie Ty Robinson locking down the interior, Booker was basically fighting for scraps this season. It makes sense to move him while his value is still intact.
How Does This Impact Philly’s Defensive Strategy?
The bigger picture here is Philadelphia’s ambitious defensive potential. With their monstrous defensive line devouring quarterbacks and ball carriers, the Eagles’ secondary has an opportunity to capitalize on hurried throws and desperation plays.
Bennett’s strength lies in his ball-hawking tendencies and ability to read the quarterback. Injuries aside, he’s shown flashes of being the kind of guy who can take advantage of rushed passes caused by a nightmare-inducing D-line. If Fangio and his staff can develop Bennett’s instincts and tweak his technique, the Eagles could be adding a sneaky-good player to their back end.
Final Thoughts
This trade isn’t going to dominate national headlines. ESPN probably won’t spend hours breaking down “Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles.” But for those paying attention, it’s yet another example of Roseman thinking long-term. He’s not trying to win the preseason press cycle; he’s trying to win a championship.
If you’re an Eagles fan, you’ve got every reason to trust this front office. Moves like this one are calculated gambles that often pay off big in the long run. And while Bennett isn’t a guaranteed star, he’s the kind of under-the-radar player who might just thrive in the right system.
Who knows? Maybe come December, we’ll be looking back at this trade and talking about how Bennett helped lock down Philly’s secondary en route to another deep playoff run. Until then, stay tuned and enjoy the chess game Roseman continues to play while the rest of the league scrambles to keep up.
