The cornerback carousel in Las Vegas is spinning faster than ever, and one name keeps popping up on social media this week—Jakorian Bennett. Once regarded as a promising young starter, Bennett now finds himself in a challenging situation. With Pete Carroll’s arrival and the reconstruction of the Raiders’ secondary, it seems increasingly likely that Bennett could be the odd man out. However, it should be noted that this is pure speculation—for now.
NFL analyst Moe Moton stirred the pot with a post on X/Twitter that raised eyebrows among Raider Nation: “I think it’s a possibility that Bennett gets traded if he doesn’t start this year. Teams will inquire about him. He has starting experience on the outside and played well before suffering that season-ending shoulder injury last year.” In short—if the Raiders don’t have room for Bennett, somebody else will.
Would the Raiders actually trade Jakorian Bennett?
Additionally, Jesse Merrick of Silver & Black Sports Network echoed the sentiment, noting that Bennett has been bouncing between first-, second-, and third-team reps during camp. That’s rarely a positive sign. Even more telling is Merrick’s observation that Bennett doesn’t match the “size profile” Carroll historically prefers at cornerback. If you look at Carroll’s track record, especially in his Seattle days, there’s a certain frame he looks for. In fact, the Super Bowl-winning squad from 2013 heavily featured corners that were over six feet tall.
Translation? The 5-foot-11 Bennett may not be the long-limbed, press-happy prototype Carroll covets.
Let’s not jump to conclusions…
Bennett isn’t just another camp body. His rookie tape showcased significant potential—physicality, closing speed, and a talent for playing the boundary. If it weren’t for the shoulder injury last year (his second season), he might have secured a role by now. However, the Raiders have revamped their roster with larger players and veteran additions, leaving Bennett in a precarious position.
The upside? Bennett’s value hasn’t plummeted. He’s still on a rookie contract and has live NFL snaps under his belt—precisely the type of profile that could draw interest from CB-needy teams once the preseason dust settles. Should he indeed be the odd man out in Vegas, it is likely that trade discussions will commence sooner rather than later.
Whether Bennett remains on the team or is traded, one thing is certain: the Raiders’ cornerback competition is one of the most captivating position battles of the summer. While Bennett may not be a starter by Week 1, he could very well become a valuable asset for another team. However, this is merely conjecture.
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*Top Photo: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images