The Raiders have struggled offensively, but their defense has been instrumental in securing a 2-2 record after four games. While the defense isn’t flawless and has areas for improvement, several key players have stepped up this season. One such player is second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett. In a recent interview following practice, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged the progress Bennett has made this year.
“I’ve mentioned it before: the guy keeps getting better every single play,” Pierce said about Bennett. “When he performs well in critical situations—like in the red zone, on fourth down, third down, or during the two-minute drill—especially when we anticipate where the ball will go, it really stands out. His technique is excellent, and we have to give credit to his position coaches for their dedicated work with him on the side, as well as to Bennett for staying focused and meticulous.”
After facing some challenges during his rookie season, Bennett has made significant strides in his second year. In the first four games, he has allowed exactly half of the passes thrown his way to be completed. He has given up 120 receiving yards on nine receptions and has not allowed a touchdown. Most impressively, Bennett has a passer rating of just 71.5 when targeted, a significant improvement from the 102.5 rating he had in 2023. With the Raiders lacking depth in the secondary this season, they needed a strong performance from Bennett, and fortunately, that’s precisely what he has delivered.
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