There is Hope for Raiders' Second-Year CB Jakorian Bennett

Las Vegas Raiders' CB Jakorian Bennett was selected in the fourth round in 2023 and struggled as a rookie. But the Silver and Black should have faith in the young cornerback.

The Las Vegas Raiders took cornerback Jakorian Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bennett was a Maryland Terrapin who, as a senior, was tied for third in the Big Ten in pass break-ups with 11 and tied for fifth with 13 passes defensed. Bennett had a productive combine, scoring a 98 estimated athleticism score, good for third among his position. Notably, he ran a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.

Bennett was rated as an average backup player, but NFL analyst Lance Zierlein believed there was some potential in Bennett.

"The high passes defensed total is an example of how aggressive Bennett is at the catch point, and he’s clearly effective at tilting the 50/50 ball in his favor," Zierlein wrote in his draft report. "He has good size, but his coverage strength is a mix and match of man and zone with both featuring inconsistencies that will likely follow him into an NFL camp."

Bennett struggled in his rookie year with the Silver and Black. In his 361 total snaps last season, Bennett finished his rookie campaign with a mere 42.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

But Bennett should not be given up on.

The step up from college to NFL is a large adjustment for any player. For a cornerback -- perhaps more so. The NFL consists of smarter quarterbacks with better arms, as well as bigger, faster and more refined wide receivers. Offensive schemes are far more complex than what the Big Ten can offer, as well.

Plenty of past rookie cornerbacks have struggled. Higher drafted ones with higher perceived ceilings, too.

In 2023, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson was the No. 1 cornerback in the league with a PFF grade of 90.8. As a rookie second-round pick in 2020, he had a measly 54.9 grade, even though he played 867 snaps.

Derek Stingley Jr. was the Houston Texans' third overall pick in 2022. As a rookie, he was good for a 49.1 PFF grade on 599 snaps. In Year 2, he finished as the ninth-ranked cornerback in the league with an 81.8 grade.

Jeff Okudah was the Detroit Lions' third overall pick in 2020. His rookie season earned a 42.5 grade, and he has struggled ever since.

It should be mentioned that Bennett was never slated to be the CB1 option, nor CB2.

In year two, Bennett wants to be better, as discussed by our Hondo S. Carpenter on the

In year two, Bennett wants to be better, as our Hondo S. Carpenter discussed on the "Las Vegas Insider Podcast." Bennett will be more adjusted to the NFL and have a better defense around him.

Rookies -- especially at cornerback -- will struggle. Look for improvement from Bennett in his second season.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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