Latest news with #ThomasBookerIV
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles, Raiders swap defenders in training camp trade
The post Eagles, Raiders swap defenders in training camp trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. Though the preseason is still technically a few days away, two teams just hit the war rooms to execute a good old-fashioned training camp trade, with the Philadelphia Eagles sending defensive linemen Thomas Booker IV to the Las Vegas Raiders for former fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. For the Eagles, this move is interesting because of how Vic Fangio's defense has been reshaped in the months removed from their Super Bowl win. Booker, who was on the roster back in February, has long been viewed as a deep reserve, competing with players like Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, and Byron Young, himself a former Raiders draftee, for a spot behind the starting trio of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo. Bennett, by contrast, has played nearly a thousand snaps on the outside for the Raiders since being drafted out of Maryland in 2023, adding another body to the competition for Darius Slay's old spot alongside Adoree' Jackson, Kelee Ringo, and Eli Ricks. And for the Raiders? Well, they get a Stanford-educated defender who has a much better chance of playing on their defense versus Philadelphia's and has that Super Bowl pedigree. He knows how to win, even if he didn't play much during the team's championship run, and thus, could be a great cultural addition both on and off the field. Standing 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Bennett is unquestionably the most interesting player included in this deal, as he's appeared in 24 games with 11 starts and presents athletic upside with a 4.30 40 time. If he can become a certified player for an Eagles' secondary in need of one more proven body, this trade will look like an absolute steal. But if he can't overtake Jackson, Ringo, or even Ricks, then the Raiders might secure the W since Booker has a much cleaner role as a rotational interior defensive lineman, especially on a team that just said goodbye to Christian Wilkins. Related: Teddy Bridgewater eyeing NFL comeback after controversial HS suspension Related: 2 Cowboys first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2025 NFL season
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Las Vegas Raiders' biggest reason to panic after start of 2025 NFL training camp
The post Las Vegas Raiders' biggest reason to panic after start of 2025 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints. As NFL training camps get underway, optimism typically runs high. But for the Las Vegas Raiders, early excitement has been tempered by a move that could have serious implications for the team's secondary: the trade of promising young cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles. This single roster decision has left the Raiders dangerously thin in the defensive backfield and stands out as the biggest reason to panic so far this training camp. A Questionable Trade Leaves a Gaping Hole The deal, which sent Bennett to Philadelphia for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV, blindsided many both inside and outside the organization. While the addition of Booker provides some much-needed depth for a defensive line that struggled with injuries and inconsistency last year, that benefit may be quickly overshadowed by newfound vulnerability at cornerback. Bennett, a fourth-round pick out of Maryland in 2023, started 11 games as a Raider and made his mark by being the only corner in the NFL last season with over 300 defensive snaps who did not allow a single touchdown. He was not only reliable in coverage, yielding less than 5.5 yards per target with a sub-70 passer rating allowed, but also a playmaker with the athleticism to go stride-for-stride with receivers on the perimeter. Critics of the trade argue the Raiders failed to leverage Bennett's value, especially as he was still operating under a rookie contract and flashed 'future building block' potential for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The prevailing sentiment is that Las Vegas traded away a starter-capable corner for little more than a rotational piece in Booker, rather than seeking draft capital or a more proven player in return. Depth at cornerback is now a glaring concern. Even prior to Bennett's departure, reports from Raiders camp highlighted intense competition and uncertainty at the position. Bennett had been working with the second team after returning from injuries, while newcomers like veteran Eric Stokes, rookie Darien Porter, and second-year Decamerion Richardson were vying for reps. The trade only accentuated these uncertainties. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll's preference seems clear, long-armed, physical corners who fit his signature scheme. However, Carroll now must rely on an untested collection of young players and career backups to slow down the explosive passing offenses that dominate the AFC West. In practice, Decamerion Richardson is seeing time with the first team, but questions remain about whether he and others can replicate Bennett's steady play. The coaching staff has experimented with moving safeties like JT Woods to cornerback during camp, but this approach is more a sign of necessity than of roster strength. If injuries hit, or if opponents target inexperienced defensive backs early in the season, Las Vegas could face immediate game-changing mismatches. Meanwhile, the pass rush, arguably bolstered by Booker's arrival, will be under immense pressure to mask deficiencies on the back end. With the high-powered offenses of divisional rivals like Kansas City and Los Angeles, any break in coverage due to inexperienced corner play could quickly erase any gains made up front. Raiders fans and analysts alike realize that, in the modern NFL, secondary play can make or break a season, especially in a division loaded with elite quarterbacks and game-changing receivers. Unless one of the team's young corners rapidly develops, or the front office finds a late-offseason addition, the loss of Bennett will linger as the defining storyline of this camp. The Raiders' new regime made a clear statement by trading Jakorian Bennett: it will build the roster according to its vision, even at the expense of last season's emerging talents. However, given Bennett's proven production and the fragile nature of the team's remaining secondary depth, that decision may come back to haunt them sooner rather than later. As preseason games approach, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on the Raiders' secondary. For now, their ability to withstand the loss of Bennett and compete defensively in a pass-happy AFC will determine whether this reason to panic becomes a season-long crisis—or a lesson quickly learned by a team desperate to end its playoff drought. Related: Raiders' Geno Smith wildly compares Tre Tucker to legendary receiver Related: Raiders' Pete Carroll chooses violence in preseason game vs. Seahawks
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What are the Raiders getting in DT Thomas Booker?
The Las Vegas Raiders finalized a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending out-of-favor cornerback Jakorian Bennett in exchange for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV. Booker should add depth and competition to the interior following Christian Wilkins' release. The Raiders are excited to have the ascending defensive lineman. Booker initially entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2022. The former Stanford performer appeared in 10 games as a rookie, totaling 15 tackles. Booker was waived by Houston during final cuts as a sophomore and signed onto the Eagles' practice squad. He didn't play in 2023, but did appear in all 17 contests this past season, accumulating 18 tackles and one sack, earning an overall defensive grade of 53.4 from Pro Football Focus. Head coach Pete Carroll is excited to have Booker. "His motor," Carroll responded to a question about what the Raiders liked about Booker. "Plays really hard and he's really consistent in his effort. He's big enough and flexible enough to play a number of spots for us. He looked really good in their rotations and that's a heck of a defensive line over there. It keeps him from playing and getting his numbers up, but we see a lot of positives. We've known him over the years as he's come up, and so another really smart kid.' Booker's career has been a whirlwind. It's inspiring that he recovered from a disappointing 2023 campaign to make the Eagles' loaded roster in 2024 and contribute to a defensive line that helped win a Super Bowl. The Raiders believe they're getting a diamond-in-the-rough talent in Booker. This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders trade: What are they getting in DT Thomas Booker?
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Philadelphia Eagles trade DT Thomas Booker IV to Las Vegas Raiders for CB Jakorian Bennett
(Image via Getty: Thomas Booker IV and Jakorian Bennett) Training camp is a period of heated trade exchanges and intense practice. Every NFL team solidifies its 53-man roster before the season begins–because once the season's on, no chances can be drawn or called upon. Keeping this in mind, Nick Sirianni's Philadelphia Eagles are trading their defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV in exchange for Pete Carroll's Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett. NFL Insider Adam Schefter introduced this trade exchange to cyberspace Adam Schefter wrote on X, 'Trade: Raiders are sending CB Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in exchange for DT Thomas Booker IV, per sources.' Another NFL Insider, Ian Rapoport, further elaborated, 'The #Eagles acquire CB Jakorian Bennett, a former fourth round, while the #Raiders beef up their D-line with Thomas Booker, a former fifth round DT.' How did cyberspace react? Let's discover. How many cornerbacks do the Philadelphia Eagles need? Ian Rapoport's X declaration attracted a lot of questions. From–Is cornerback Jakorian Bennett any good–to–How many cornerbacks do the Eagles need. The question is sincere because the Eagles already have six, let us repeat, six cornerbacks in their active roster: Adoree' Jackson Eli Ricks Quinyon Mitchell Mac McWilliams Kelee Ringo Parry Nickerson Just days before their first 2025 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Super Bowl LIX-winning team amplified their cornerback space with Las Vegas Raiders CB Jakorian Bennett. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Now, coming to the other question–How good is Bennett? Jakorian Bennett stats The Raiders drafted the 24-year-old cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft as their fourth-round, 104th overall pick. He played two seasons for them. Jakorian accumulated 58 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 19 assist tackles, and 11 passes defended in a total of 24 games played. When many netizens were doubting Bennett's capabilities, one fan felt confident for him, 'Now look how he miraculously makes to pro bowl.' Who's going to take Bennett's place in Pete Carroll's team? Eagles (now, former) defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV. Let's discuss him. Philadelphia Eagles fans–Thomas Booker IV any good? When fans were doubting Jakorian's capabilities for the reigning champions–Philadelphia Eagles, they did not spare Las Vegas Raiders' newest entrant either. A fan questioned–Eagles fans, Booker any good? While another assuredly wrote, 'Texans legend headed to Vegas.' The Houston Texans drafted the 25-year-old DT in the 2022 NFL draft as their fifth-round, 150th overall pick. Booker IV played for just one season for them. He got traded to the Eagles in the 2023 season. The next season? He became a Super Bowl LIX champion! What do his stats look like? Thomas Booker IV stats In a total of 27 games, the former Texans and Eagles DT notched 33 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, 14 assist tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. Last year, Booker IV accumulated 18 tackles and a sack in 17 games played for the Eagles. Booker IV will take up the space left by Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Christian Wilkins was released from Las Vegas Raiders for kissing teammate on head On July 28, a source told Adam Schefter that Christian Wilkins was released by the Las Vegas Raiders for kissing a fellow team player on the head. The teammate took offense and complained to the human resources department. The department investigated the incident. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll did not want to comment on it– 'I have no comment to make. We made a decision on what we're doing, and we're moving with it.' Another Raiders DT, Adam Butler, told ESPN, 'Whatever you're going through as a person, athlete, non-athlete or whoever, whatever your struggle is, if you've got something going on in life, just talk to somebody. Get some therapy. Somebody out there in this world will hear you out.' Apart from this incident, another reason for Wilkins' departure was that he was recovering from a Jones fracture–a broken bone on the pinky toe side of the foot. Also Read: Cleveland Browns sign 6th QB Tyler Huntley amidst growing QB competition | NFL News - Times of India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles trade DT Thomas Booker to Raiders for CB Jakorian Bennett
The Raiders have traded cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV, according to multiple reports. The Eagles get even deeper in their cornerbacks room, with Booker joining Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree Jackson and Mac McWilliams. Bennett will join the competition with Ringo and Jackson to win a starting job. Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023, started 11 games and played in 13 others with the Raiders. He has 58 tackles and 11 passes defensed. The Raiders had a big need in the middle of their defensive line after releasing Christian Wilkins. Booker, a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2022, appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Eagles last season. He started one game and played 166 defensive snaps and 32 on special teams. He spent 2022 with the Texans, who released him out of training camp in 2023. The Eagles signed him to their practice squad, but he did not play a regular-season game in 2023.
