Raiders Get More Speed with WR Malik Benson

By Shane Hallam | Updated on Sat, Apr 25 2026 8:51 PM UTC

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Oregon WR Malik Benson in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Benson starred for two seasons at Hutchinson Community College and left as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,152). That breakout caught Nick Saban’s eye and earned him a transfer to Alabama. But the jump in competition crushed the production. Benson wound up seventh on the Tide in catches (13) and sixth in receiving yards (162). A 2024 move to Florida State found only marginal improvement (25-311-1), due at least in part to poor QB play. Benson bounced back this past season at Oregon, leading the team with 719 receiving yards and finishing second to TE Kenyon Sadiq with 43 catches and 6 TDs. His 2.60 yards per route ranked seventh among the 49 WRs invited to this year’s Combine. Benson averaged 16.7 yards per catch for the Ducks and confirmed that big-play ability with a 4.37-second 40 time at the Combine. He’s undersized at 189 pounds, though, and enters the NFL as an unrefined 23-year-old.

What They're Saying

Draft Sharks Rookie Guide: “We finally saw his NFL talent last fall alongside QB Dante Moore. Benson hit 16.7 yards per catch as a downfield asset. He may wind up as more of a field stretcher than a complete WR.”

2026 Fantasy Football Impact

Benson offers a deep threat for a Raiders WR group that lacks playmakers. He could crack the roster with veteran Jalen Nailor being added along with young WRs Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton, and Jack Bech.

Benson likely settles as the back-up to Tucker and Thornton to develop as a deep threat.

He offers no redraft value.

Dynasty Impact

With a new regime with the Raiders, Benson could be considered as an end of the roster addition. HC Klint Kubiak utilized Rashid Shaheed with some success last season, and Benson offers similar speed.

The situation does at least give Benson an opportunity to play if he shows more than his draft profile showcases.

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.