PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ trade deadline additions of cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II could be at the expense of Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett, two young cornerbacks looking to establish successful NFL careers.
A part-time starter in his third season, Ringo could soon be relegated to special teams full-time, as Alexander could take over his snaps.
When he returns from his pectoral injury, Bennett could struggle to rise up the depth chart. He has missed the last five games and has been ruled questionable for Monday night’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Two weeks after the Eagles opened his 21-day practice window, Bennett still has not been added to the 53-man roster. He joined the Eagles in early August via a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, with the expectation that he would eventually earn a starting role.
So far, it hasn’t gone as planned.
“Just have to be patient,” Bennett said. “Everything’s going to play out the way it should. Just control what I can. And that’s my attitude, that’s my effort. When I do that, I feel like everything else will handle itself.”
In the first eight games, ninth-year veteran Adoree’ Jackson and Ringo each started four games, with both struggling in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Ringo has allowed 11 catches for 172 yards, while Jackson has allowed 17 catches for 201 yards.
Bennett backed up Mitchell and Jackson for the first three weeks before getting hurt.
In the short term, it’s possible that one of Jackson, Ringo or Bennett will start opposite Quinyon Mitchell as the CB2. But those three will likely move to backup roles if either Carter or Alexander emerges.
By trading for two cornerbacks, the Eagles made it clear they were not satisfied with the play at that position.
“Going out there and controlling what I can control,” Ringo said when asked if the trades could hurt his role. “That’s to be the best player I know I can be.”
“Keep working, keep preparing like I am the starter,” Bennett said about the impact of two new cornerbacks joining the room. “Nothing really changed. Just came off an injury. I know why I’m here.”
Ringo performed well in his Week 4 start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he struggled over the next two weeks, especially in the Eagles’ Week 6 loss to the New York Giants, giving up too many big plays.
Ringo’s play has improved in the following two weeks, making him confident that he could still earn the starting job.
“I could be a great player in this league,” Ringo said. “So just putting forth that mindset.”
Despite the possibility that Alexander could push them off the field, Bennett and Ringo are excited to learn from a two-time All-Pro, who was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL not that long ago.
“In JUCO, I used to watch his film every day,” Bennett said. “I was about to go to Louisville just because of him. So that’s cool.”
“Super cool dude, man, as soon as he came here,” Ringo said about Alexander. “Mike (Michael Carter) as well. We clicked immediately, so real welcoming energy. We just love good ball players, people with good energy, just people who bring positive spirits and come to work.”
Alexander was a healthy scratch for his last five games. Carter lost his starting job to Jarvis Brownlee after missing three games (Weeks 5-7) with a concussion.
Alexander could start opposite Mitchell, keeping Cooper DeJean in the slot. Carter could start in the slot, allowing the Eagles to move DeJean outside.
The Eagles are gambling on both players to bounce back. So if Ringo or Bennett plays well in the coming weeks, they could keep the two new acquisitions on the bench.
“It’s only gonna bring the best out of me,” Bennett said. “It’s their job to bring guys in. You gotta have that healthy competition. So it’s going to make the room better.”
“There’s always opportunities, and I just want to make the most of them when they do come and continue to grow,” Ringo said.
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