Bene Benwikere - Pro Football Rumors

Bengals Trade Bene Benwikere To Cowboys

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bene Benwikere will find himself on a fifth team in the past 11 months after the Bengals and Cowboys agreed to a trade. Dallas will acquire the fourth-year cornerback for a late-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Bengals signed Benwikere on a league-minimum deal in February. The former Panthers contributor hasn’t played in a game since Carolina cut him after a rough outing against the Falcons early last season.

Benwikere spent time as a UFA after stints with the Dolphins and Packers last season. The former Carolina starter received interest when on waivers last season, but the Cowboys were not one of the teams who put in a claim for the corner. Benwikere started 14 games with the Panthers from 2014-16 but was not part of their Super Bowl 50 effort, suffering an injury late in the 2015 season.

The Cowboys drafted three corners — Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Marquez White — and signed Nolan Carroll. Benwikere could provide some experience as a reserve to a Dallas roster that lost Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne in free agency.

North Notes: Bengals, Smith, Ravens, Vikes

February 20th, 2017 at 7:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With Cincinnati’s offensive line facing offseason uncertainty, a reunion with former Bengal/current Viking right tackle Andre Smith could make sense for both parties, as Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer opines (Twitter links). Smith, whom the Bengals made the sixth overall pick in 2009, played seven seasons in the Queen City before inking a one-year deal with Minnesota last year. If he did rejoin Cincinnati, Smith would slot back in at right tackle, where 2015 first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi recently struggled. One problem with such a scenario, per Dehner, would be forcing 2015 second-round pick Jake Fisher — who played well at right tackle last year — to guard, a position he hasn’t played much of in the NFL.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

Although Kyle Juszczyk would view a return to the Ravens as “phenomenal,” the veteran fullback would consider other any offers that might be proposed this spring, he tells SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). The 25-year-old Juszczyk led all NFL fullbacks in both offensive snaps (465) and receptions (37) in 2016, although the lack of fullback usage in the league figures to drive down his market. In terms of positional spending, the Chiefs’ Anthony Sherman currently leads all fullbacks with a $2.1MM annual salary. Juszczyk, a former fourth-round pick out of Harvard, will join a free agent fullback class that includes Patrick DiMarco (Falcons), Marcel Reece (Seahawks), and Jerome Felton (Bills).
Former Vikings quarterbacks coach Scott Turner has joined the University of Michigan as an offensive analyst, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. Turner’s father, Norv, resigned as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator midway through last season, and while Scott was retained to finish out the campaign, he was fired by the Vikings last month. Although Turner had coached in the NFL since 2011, he didn’t have many options around the league if he wanted to continue leading quarterback rooms — the only QB coaching job still available is in Kansas City, per Dan Hatman of The Scouting Academy (Twitter link).
Cornerback Bene Benwikere‘s one-year deal with the Bengals is worth $690K, the minimum for a player with three years experience, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Still only 25 years old, Benwikere took visits with four other clubs (including the Jets) before signing with Cincinnati. He’ll compete for a spot in the Bengals’ secondary that includes Adam Jones, Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson III, Josh Shaw, and pending free agent Dre Kirkpatrick.

Bengals To Sign Bene Benwikere

February 14th, 2017 at 3:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Try saying this five times fast: the Bengals have agreed to sign cornerback Bene Benwikere. The deal was first reported by Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter). It’s a one-year pact, agent Bardia Ghahremani tells ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell (on Twitter).

Before signing with Cincinnati, the corner visited with four other teams, according to Pelissero. As previously reported, the Jets also showed interest in Benwikere and hosted him on a visit in early February.

Still only 25 (26 in September), Big Play Bene is hoping to put a trying 2016 in the rear view mirror. Benwikere was released by Carolina early in the 2016 season after one particularly bad game against the Falcons. In that contest, Julio Jones hauled in 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown with the majority of the damage coming against the San Jose State product. After the game, Benwikere admitted that he was gassed and that apparently didn’t sit right with Carolina brass.

After Benwikere was cut, the Dolphins claimed him on waivers, beating out the Titans and Redskins thanks to their higher priority. After finishing the regular season on Miami’s taxi squad, he joined the Packers’ p-squad during the playoffs.

CB Bene Benwikere Visits Jets

February 1st, 2017 at 7:33pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent cornerback Bene Benwikere met with the Jets today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds that Benwikere is presumably a candidate for a reserve/futures contract with New York.

Projected to act as Carolina’s No. 1 corner during the 2016 campaign, Benwikere was torched by the Falcons’ Julio Jones in Week 4 and was subsequently waived. Both the Titans and Redskins put in claims, but the 25-year-old Benwikere landed with the Dolphins, who had the higher waiver priority. After ending the season on Miami’s practice squad, Benwikere signed with the Packers’ taxi squad during Green Bay’s playoff run.

The Jets’ cornerback depth chart is currently comprised of Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams, Juston Burris, Darryl Roberts, Nick Marshall, and others. Revis, of course, could be cut or moved to safety this offseason, while Skrine is also a potential cap casualty. Benwikere, then, could serve as depth on a New York roster that possesses next to none.

AFC Notes: Texans, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos

January 17th, 2017 at 9:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After the Texans parted ways with offensive coordinator George Godsey yesterday, some in league circles believe head coach Bill O’Brien may simply assign himself play-calling duties, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. O’Brien was already leading the Texans’ offense at various points during the season, so a move of this nature wouldn’t be a complete surprise. In such a scenario, Houston would likely reshuffle its offensive staff, including shifting wide receivers coach Sean Ryan to quarterbacks coach, per Wilson.

Here’s more out of the AFC:

The Dolphins offered cornerback Bene Benwikere a futures deal that would have kept him in the club’s plans throughout the offseason, but Benwikere instead opted to sign on with Green Bay’s practice squad, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Benwikere was somewhat surprisingly waived by Carolina in early October, and though the Titans and Redskins both put in claims on him, he landed with Miami (who subsequently waived him and signed him to their taxi squad). In Green Bay, Benwikere will offer depth for the rest of the postseason.
Although a previous report indicated that Bears outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt had agreed to take the same position with the Jets, there is “no indication” that such a move will take place, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. New York did inquire as to Hurtt’s availability, but never actually agreed to hire him. Hurtt reportedly turned down a contract extension from Chicago.
The Jets began extension talks with guard Brian Winters before he suffered a torn rotator cuff last December, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com. Winters, who yesterday agreed to a four-year, $29MM contract that includes $15MM in guarantees, is now signed through the 2020 campaign. Per Slater, New York used the contracts of fellow interior lineman J.R. Sweezy and Jeff Allen as comps during negotiations.
Chiefs assistant teams coach Brock Olivo will become the seventh candidate to interview for the Broncos‘ ST coordinator vacancy, as Mike Klis of 9NEWS tweets. Olivo, 40, has spent the past three seasons working under highly-respected Kansas City special teams coach Dave Toub.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/17/17

January 17th, 2017 at 6:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Promotion

Atlanta Falcons

Signed to active roster: DL Joe Vellano
Placed on IR (story): DE Adrian Clayborn

Practice Squad

Green Bay Packers

Signed: CB Bene Benwikere
Cut: CB Keith Baxter

Reserve/Futures Contracts

Atlanta Falcons

C Trevor Robinson

Dallas Cowboys

TE Rico Gathers
WR Andy Jones

Kansas City Chiefs

T Joseph Cheek
G Jordan Devey
DB Jimmy Hall
DT Cory Johnson
WR Seantavius Jones
DE David King
LB Earl Okine
QB Joel Stave

New Orleans Saints

WR Rashad Lawrence

Dolphins Sign Bene Benwikere To Practice Squad

November 9th, 2016 at 6:46pm CST by Ben Levine

One day after being waived by the Dolphins, Bene Benwikere is back with the organization. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), the cornerback has cleared waivers and will join the Dolphins’ practice squad.

The former fifth-round pick was projected to be the Panthers’ top cornerback entering the season, but the 25-year-old was lit up by Falcons receiver Julio Jones in early October. The wideout hauled in 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown during the Week 4 matchup, and Benwikere was waived by the Panthers days later. The defensive back was subsequently claimed by the Dolphins, but he never saw the field in any of his three games with the team.

As our own Zach Links noted yesterday, both the Redskins and Titans put in a claim on the cornerback back in October. However, it seems like his few suitors showed little interest this time around. Of course, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Pro Football Focus ranks Benwikere 96th among 117 cornerback candidates.

Dolphins Waive CB Bene Benwikere

November 8th, 2016 at 2:34pm CST by Zachary Links

For the second time in two months, Bene Benwikere is out of a job. The Dolphins are waiving the cornerback, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (on Twitter). The team has confirmed the move via press release.

In October, Benwikere was torched by Julio Jones for 228 yards as the Panthers fell to the Falcons. Days later, Carolina dropped the player who was projected to be their No. 1 corner this year. The Dolphins, who were 1-4 at the time, used their high waiver priority to grab Benwikere. Now, they’re throwing him back out on the waiver wire.

Before Miami grabbed Benwikere, the Redskins and Titans both put in claims on the 25-year-old. It stands to reason that they could consider him again.

This year, Pro Football Focus has Benwikere ranked as just the No. 96 corner out of 117 qualified players.

Titans, Redskins Put In Claims On Benwikere

October 10th, 2016 at 6:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins weren’t the only club interested in cornerback Bene Benwikere. Both the Titans and Redskins put in claims for Benwikere, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), but Miami and its higher waiver priority were able to land the defensive back.

Neither Tennessee nor Washington has been particularly poor against the pass this year, as the clubs rank 14th and 18th, respectively, in pass defense DVOA, and ninth and 22nd, respectively, in passing yards allowed. As such, it seems as though each club was simply trying to inject youthful talent into its defensive backfield, and Benwikere, who just recently turned 25, fits that bill.

A starting cornerback for Carolina this year, Benwikere was waived after Julio Jones exploded for a 300-yard game in Week (228 of those yards coming against Benwikere). After the game, Benwikere admitted to reporters that he was gassed, and that may have played a role in his release. The Panthers were expected to shake things up in the secondary, but few expected them to drop one of their top cornerbacks.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dolphins Claim Bene Benwikere

October 10th, 2016 at 3:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have claimed cornerback Bene Benwikere off waivers from the Panthers, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter). Benwikere was a surprise cut by Carolina earlier this week.

A starting cornerback for Carolina this year, the team decided to part ways with “Big Play Bene” after Julio Jones exploded for a 300-yard game with 228 of those yards coming against the young corner. After the game, Benwikere admitted to reporters that he was gassed and that may have played a role in his release. The Panthers were expected to shake things up in the secondary, but few expected them to drop one of their top cornerbacks. Once he was cut, however, it was expected that Benwikere would be claimed on waivers.

The 1-4 Dolphins had a high waiver priority and they took advantage of it this week to grab the 25-year-old. Given Xavien Howard‘s knee injury and Byron Maxwell‘s shortcomings, Benwikere makes a lot of sense for Miami.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.