The Las Vegas Raiders selected wide receiver Malik Benson from Oregon in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday, adding a vertical threat to their receiving corps.
Benson brings elite speed, having been a standout track athlete in high school. He primarily lines up outside and excels at tracking the deep ball, which could help open up the field for the Raiders’ offense.
However, Benson’s game has limitations. He runs a limited route tree and shares similarities with current Raiders wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr., though Benson is a better tracker of the ball in flight. His slender frame makes blocking difficult, and he is not particularly effective on contested catches. Despite his speed, he is also surprisingly limited after the catch.
Overall, the pick offers potential but comes with clear areas for development.



















