The Raiders waited until the sixth round to address wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Malik Benson is headed for a slow climb.
Las Vegas was widely expected to take a receiver earlier, yet John Spytek chose to spend his early picks on the defensive side before finally landing Benson out of Oregon on Day 3. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he fits the kind of body type Klint Kubiak wants in a wideout. He also brings a 4.37 40-yard dash and return value on special teams, two traits that help a late-round rookie stick.
Benson’s production at Oregon showed why the Raiders were willing to take a shot. He led the Ducks in receiving in 2025 as Dante Moore’s top target, and his biggest moments came under the lights. Against James Madison, he posted more than 100 yards and scored twice, helping Oregon reach the semifinals before Indiana ended the run.
What makes Benson interesting is how he got overlooked in the first place. Oregon’s offense leaned heavily on 12 personnel and funneled attention toward its tight ends, including first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq. That setup helped keep Benson from getting the kind of spotlight his numbers might normally have earned.
There’s also a clear fit with what the Raiders want to do. Benson has been compared to Nelson Agholor for his speed and route-running, but the difference is in the details that matter most: he catches the ball cleanly and doesn’t create the kind of negative plays that can bury a young receiver. PFF credited him with just one drop all season, and that kind of reliability is exactly the sort of trait Kubiak values.
One example came on a back-shoulder throw from Moore against Texas Tech in the playoffs. Benson adjusted well, secured the ball with strong hands and stayed in bounds for the catch.
His burst after the catch is just as appealing. On a dig route against Washington, the throw was a bit out in front, but Benson still hauled it in, then used his acceleration to split defenders and finish the play in the end zone.
That combination of speed, hands and special teams value gives Benson a real path to early playing time. He already made some noise during OTAs, and he’ll have another chance to keep building momentum when training camp opens at the end of the month. Then comes the preseason, where he should see plenty of reps across the three games in August.
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