The Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders made a smart and strategic trade just as preseason ramps up, swapping defensive tackle Thomas Booker for cornerback Jakorian Bennett in a classic player-for-player deal. Both teams filled positions of need, while giving young players a fresh opportunity to contribute.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the trade and what it means for each team.
Eagles Trade Grade: B
What Philly Gets:
Cornerback Jakorian Bennett
What They Gave Up:
Defensive tackle Thomas Booker
The Eagles entered training camp with uncertainty at cornerback, especially the starting spot opposite first-round rookie Quinyon Mitchell. Veterans Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo were the frontrunners, but neither has secured the job during camp. That’s where Jakorian Bennett fits in.
Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick (one spot ahead of Ringo), had a quietly strong rookie season in coverage. He allowed just a 52.1 passer rating when targeted and held opponents to under 45% completion. He didn’t allow a touchdown and gave up just 4.4 yards per attempt.
The downside? Tackling. Bennett ranked near the bottom of the league in that department (185th out of 207 cornerbacks, per PFF). But the Eagles didn’t bring him in to hit — they need him to cover deep routes and compete on the outside.
This move also gives Philly more flexibility. If Bennett takes the job or plays well in nickel/dime packages, the Eagles can explore moving Cooper DeJean around — including giving him reps at safety.
They traded from a position of strength (DT) and added depth where they needed it. Even if Bennett doesn’t win the starting job, he adds real competition and value.
Grade: B
Raiders Trade Grade: B-
What Vegas Gets:
Defensive tackle Thomas Booker
What They Gave Up:
Cornerback Jakorian Bennett
The Raiders gave up a young starting-caliber corner for a depth defensive lineman, which may seem uneven at first glance. But dig deeper, and the move makes sense under their new coaching staff.
Bennett had dropped on the CB depth chart — behind Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Decamerion Richardson — after missing time last year with a torn labrum. New coach Pete Carroll may prefer taller or more physical corners, and Bennett’s 5-foot-10 frame possibly didn’t fit that mold.
Instead of risking cutting him and losing him on waivers, the Raiders cashed him in for a promising defensive tackle in Booker, who had a strong camp in Philadelphia.
Booker fits well into the Raiders’ defensive line rotation. He played in all 21 Eagles games last season, including the playoffs, and showed flashes. With Christian Wilkins cut last month, Vegas needed a steady interior lineman to plug the gap.
Booker might not be a star, but he could earn meaningful snaps as the team tests different defensive line combinations this preseason.
Grade: B-
This deal isn’t flashy, but it’s smart roster management. The Eagles gave up a player they didn’t need and filled a real position of uncertainty. The Raiders moved on from a corner who no longer fit and added much-needed depth at defensive tackle.
