Entering the offseason, the expectation was that Las Vegas Raiders 2023 fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett would get a starting role in 2025.
Bennett followed up a disastrous rookie season with a standout showing as a starter in 2024. He went from a completion rate allowed of 68.4% percent to 52.3%, and a passer rating of 102.5 to 67.7.
The only blemish on Bennett's season was the fact that he couldn't stay healthy. The Maryland product missed the final seven games due to a shoulder injury.
As he works his way back from the injury, Bennett has been working with the second-team defense at OTAs, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic.
While the thought was that Bennett was just limited to second-team duties because of his injury rehab, Reed said on the "Just Win Podcast" that he believes that isn't the only reason.
“I don’t think it’s just because of the injury,” Reed said. “I think that’s part of it. According to his position coach, he said last week that he’s still working his way back from the shoulder injury. I think he’s looked pretty good in practice. I don’t think it’s a statement against him. He’s performing poorly or something like that.”
Reed added that one possible issue for Bennett is that he doesn't fit the mold of the kinds of cornerbacks head coach Pete Carroll likes.
“But I just think there’s going to be a competition there, legitimately. I don’t think he’s guaranteed to be a starter this year by any means,” Reed said.
“We’ve talked ad nauseum about the types of defensive backs that Pete Carroll likes and Jakorian Bennett is a little bit shorter for a Pete Carroll DB. He’s about 5’10. I think they list him at 5’11, but he’s more so 5’10.”
With Bennett running with the twos, rookie Darien Porter and free-agent signing Eric Stokes have been getting looks with the ones. Reed notes that both possess Carroll's ideal physical tools, and that could be a problem for Bennett.
“Darien Porter is that lanky 6’3 build and even Eric Stokes is in between 6’1 and so I think he’s going to have to really ball out and separate himself from the other cornerbacks in order to get a starting spot with this defense,” Reed said.
The boundary cornerback spots aren't the only question marks for the Raiders in the secondary, as the team also has a shaky situation in the slot, where Darnay Holmes is currently slated to start.
We'll see if Bennett can overcome the current situation, but if not, the Raiders might be wise to trade him now while he still has value off a career year.
