After going through a rough rookie season, Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett is looking to rebound in 2024, and the first step to achieving that goal is to secure the starting job opposite Jack Jones.
Bennett earned a starting role out of training camp in his rookie season but lost it due to lackluster play. Adding to his roller coaster campaign, Bennett also dealt with injury and was even a healthy scratch in Week 12.
So far in 2024, things seem to be going well for Bennett, who has managed to stand out at practice over the course of the offseason, from organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, to training camp.
Because of his showing, he appears to be in the driver's seat in the competition for the No. 2 cornerback job against Brandon Facyson and Decamerion Richardson.
As Bennett has dealt with plenty of criticism from both fans and media for his first season in the NFL, his teammates have certainly noticed. One teammate who isn't happy with the negativity is fellow cornerback Nate Hobbs, who voiced his displeasure with how Bennett has been covered by the media.
"I don't like how the media, even some of you guys, y'all attack JB, and I'm going to say right now that JB's going to be pivotal for us," Hobbs said. "And I really don't want to see you guys attacking him like you are.
"He's a great player, young, but he has a drive that you don't see in people today. So, great player, great man, also. I feel like he's going to be very pivotal for us."
Saying the media is "attacking" Bennett is a bit strong. Granted, there are probably some harsh criticisms out there of the second-year cornerback, but for the most part it has been respectful and grounded in reality.
This isn't the first time Hobbs has come to Bennett's defense, as he did so during the offseason program, as well.
“I don’t like when people say ‘he’s trying to get confident’,” Hobbs said of Bennett in June, per Levi Damien of Raiders Wire. “He’s confident. You’re in the NFL for a reason. Whether it looks like you got beat on the play and your confidence is down, that’s how it looks to the outside world. I feel like he’s a confident young man and he brings it every day. Some people need a little bit to get started. And when he gets started, he’s a competitor. And so he’s confident to me.”
Hobbs is correct in saying that Bennett is going to be pivotal, assuming he wins a starting job. The No. 2 cornerback spot is the biggest question mark on what may be an elite defense and the unit won't be able to reach its full potential if the play from that spot isn't up to snuff.
