Las Vegas Raiders Scouting: Malik Benson

Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson hauls in a touchdown reception as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Raiders finally take a wide receiver, just a little farther down the board then people expected them too. The Raiders used the 195th overall pick, after trading down from 185th overall to select Oregon standout Malik Benson. The former Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon product adds a potential player that can work the slot, Z, and X.

Introduction:

Age: 23
Height: 6’1
Weight: 195
Stats: 74 receptions, 1118 yards (15.1 YPR), 8 TD, 4 drops (5.1% drop rate), 61.5% contested catch rate (16/26) | 9 PR, 161 yards, TD

• Career best 43 receptions, 719 yards, 6 TD in 2026 with just 1 drop (2.7%), and 5/8 on contested catches.

RAS Testing:

• 4.37 40 (1.54 10 Split), 32.5 Vert, 10’02 Broad | 7.45 RAS score

Daniel Jeremiah said he’s a big fan of Malik Benson out of Oregon…

Easy to see why. Elite, gamebreaking speed, possibly the fastest player in the class behind Brenen Thompson 🦆 pic.twitter.com/KZZEvn9Pq4

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 21, 2026

Positives:

Benson has elite track speed, and is a true vertical threat WR. He has a quick release, good first step, and acceleration out of cuts is among the best in the class. He does a great job sinking his hips, has natural lower body flexibility, and Benson is a well rounded versatile WR. He forces teams to respect his true speed, he plays physical through the route, and while he can be a bit stiff at times changing directions, he shows a good ability to sink and run both in, out, and dagger concepts. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder, does a good job high pointing the ball and will come down with contested catches consistently. Benson is able to turn to the ball quickly, he’s got soft natural hands, and extends out of his frame consistently which helps him go out and make highlight reel catches. Benton converts to a runner after the catch, does a good job with his YAC skills. Benson is best working 11+ yards downfield, he has a good frame, but he’ll need to tap into his physicality more often. Benson does a good job working between Z, slot, and X. Benson shows an ability to be a back shoulder threat, with good body control, balance, and he also explodes through the cut to make a play and find holes in coverages. He provides special teams value, and should be able to carve out a role as the Raiders punt returner where he’s shifty in space, shows good short area agility, and has physical profile to fight through tackles.