Eagles training camp winners, losers following Thomas Booker IV trade to Raiders

Bennett — who was selected one pick ahead of projected Eagles starter Kelee Ringo in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft — joins quarterback Gardner Minshew (2021), safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2022), tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (2023) and wide receiver Jahan Dotson (2024) as recent Eagles trade acquisitions in the month of August.

Booker had a great chance to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster once again this season, so his departure should add a level of intrigue for the remainder of training camp. Ditto for Philly’s secondary, as Bennett joins what’s been an unsettled situation outside of star second-year cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

Eagles training camp winners, losers after Thomas Booker for Jakorian Bennett trade

Winner — Defensive tackle Gabe Hall

Philly’s top four at defensive tackle has been locked in all season, with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and rookie Ty Robinson leading the flock. Booker was the presumptive fifth man after flashing multiple times last season in limited opportunities.

Hall, who signed with the Eagles last summer as an undrafted free agent and wound up getting stashed on the practice squad due to a preseason hamstring injury, arguably has the most to gain with Booker on the way to Las Vegas. The Eagles kept six defensive linemen and six EDGE rushers on cut-down day last season, so Hall's path to the active roster is now wide open.

Losers — Cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo

The competition for the Eagles’ starting outside cornerback spot opposite Mitchell just got more interesting. The writing’s been on the wall here. Jackson has reportedly gotten more run with the first team this week after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio seemed to challenge the veteran via the media — “It's time to show who he is,” Fangio told reporters, “or who he isn't."

Ringo, meanwhile, remains the favorite to enter Week 1 as the starter. He has the clear edge being in Year 2 of Fangio’s system. That could change during the regular season, though. Ringo was never going to have an issue winning reps from Jackson. The 24-year-old Bennett represents a whole new challenge.

Winner — Cooper DeJean… as a safety

The Vic Fangio presser strikes again. Philly’s defensive coordinator met with the media on Monday and once again talked up DeJean as a potential option at safety.

“Just like I thought,” Fangio said, “he could be a good safety. Just the other day we had a route that we struggled with last year in games to pick up — and he did it like he’s been a safety his whole life.”

OK, let’s not go demoting Sydney Brown and Andrew Mukuba just yet. DeJean showcased incredible value at the nickel spot last season, and in all likelihood, he’s back in that role for the season opener vs. Dallas. But with Bennett joining the mix, could DeJean, at some point this season, see more regular reps alongside Exciting Mics podcast cohost Reed Blankenship at safety? What seemed like a fun preseason storyline actually has some juice behind it now.

Winner — Defensive tackle Byron Young 

The Eagles might not have room on their 53-man roster for Young, but Booker moving on should solidify his spot as a high-priority practice squad player. Young has a real chance to make his official NFL debut in 2025, after he spent all of last season on the practice squad battling a hamstring issue. It’s worth noting that Young missed Monday’s practice after sustaining some sort of arm injury on Sunday. He should have added practice reps waiting for him whenever he's cleared to return.