As the Raiders look ahead to a future move at wide receiver, Tom Brady has already tipped his hand on what kind of player he values most.
Brady, who is expected to have a major voice in the Raiders’ decision-making, laid out his thinking last week on the New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce podcast. The former Patriots quarterback revisited how New England built its receiver room under Bill Belichick and made clear that, for him, the trait that matters most isn’t pure straight-line speed.
“Our team [in New England] was built differently than a lot of others. We didn’t always have the highest paid players. In fact, when a lot of guys would have a chance to get free agent contracts, Bill [Belichick] would trade those guys and let them get paid somewhere else, and then we’d have to replace them with lesser talented players.
One position that’s unique in the NFL is receiver. Ja’Marr Chase makes 40 million a year, Tee Higgins makes 30, Tyreek Hill was making almost 30. We didn’t have those players, so we had to find production from other areas and slot receivers in the NFL [that] don’t get paid top dollar for receiver.”
Brady then explained the type of receiver profile he believes can still thrive.
“So in a way, we paired this team receiver group with some rookies and some, I would say, more role type players at receiver because we had these inside players, I’ll call them, that play tighter in the formation, that could still be very productive because they had great route trees and they maybe [did not have] vertical speed… but they had short area quickness. And that short area quickness is what the game is all about.
I would argue, would you rather be fast or have great short area quickness? I’d rather have short area quickness. Football is a game of quickness, not speed.”
That view matters because the Raiders have already added three wideouts since Brady officially became part of the ownership group, and the early returns don’t line up neatly with that preference.
Jack Bech, a second-round pick last year, has yet to show much ability to separate in games or practices. Dont’e Thornton, taken in the fourth round last year, has mostly flashed straight-line speed and has had some issues with hands. Malik Benson, a sixth-round pick this year, is the one who has drawn the most positive buzz so far.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported last month that Benson made a strong impression during OTAs and minicamp, especially in his work with quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“The Raiders drafted Benson in the sixth round with the belief that the former Oregon wideout could be a vertical threat who opens up the offense and makes explosive plays,” McFadden wrote last month.
“[Benson] showcased that ability throughout OTAs and minicamp. He and quarterback Fernando Mendoza developed a strong connection during practices.
Benson was Mendoza’s go-to target during team drills, especially in the middle of the field. The competition at wide receiver is pretty much wide open, meaning Benson has a chance to create a role for himself in Year 1 if his production continues during training camp.”
Silver & Black Sports Network’s Jesse Merrick also sees a path for Benson to climb the depth chart, saying last month that he could wind up playing more than Bech and Thornton in 2026.
“I think that the rookie Malik Benson outsnaps Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. as a true wide receiver,” Merrick said on the Silver & Black Sports Network podcast last month.
“Don’t factor in special teams here, and possibly [Benson] could even beat them out on special teams too. But for starters, I do like the kids’ game.
First and foremost, that’s what I want to make sure I say. He’s obviously a burner, but he also is not afraid to catch the ball over the middle of the field and go and get it when it’s outside of his frame.
It doesn’t need to be in the box for him to catch it. I think if you go and watch the film, you will see that.
I think he brings enough versatility to move inside and outside as well.”
With the Raiders expected to explore bigger receiver options after the 2026 season, Brady’s comments offer a clear hint at the kind of pass-catcher he may want in the room: not just a blazer, but someone with the kind of quickness that wins in tight spaces.
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