Malik Benson ESPN’s ‘surprise’ LV offseason player

Benson’s day would have looked a lot different if Kirk Cousins had not overthrown him on a post route downfield on the Raiders’ second drive. The speedy rookie had gotten behind a Dolphins cornerback and was a step ahead of the safety. Benson is still buried on the depth chart, but he clearly possesses traits that can make him a contributor as a rookie. Benson also returned two punts for 35 yards. He should not be in fantasy lineups next week against the Chargers, but his usage should be monitored in the coming weeks.

He punctuated his point by saying only, “still looking.” Kubiak’s ambiguous phrasing could suggest that the Raiders are seeking a wide receiver via trade, but it can also be read simply as an indictment of players like Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Malik Benson. None of the three turned in a great game last night, while Tre Tucker was given the night off. Tucker makes for a boom-bust FLEX option in an underwhelming position group.

Benson had an up-and-down night, with more down than up, unfortunately. On one play, the rookie wide receiver secured a contested, leaping grab downfield. He also dropped a pass near the first-down marker, and later had the ball punched out of his hands by a Texans defender. He was attempting to secure the pass while turning upfield at the same time on both plays, and may have let his focus drift toward the big play and away from sound fundamentals. Still, QB Fernando Mendoza is giving him chances to make plays. Benson can probably be left undrafted in 12-team leagues, but monitor his development over the next week.

Benson has been inundated with buzz this offseason. He caught two balls for 26 yards on four targets in Las Vegas’ first preseason game and reportedly has a strong connection with Fernando Mendoza. Outside of Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty it’s been hard to recommend any Raiders skill position player in fantasy circles this year; perhaps the sixth-round pick can step into a real target role given the lack of competition around him.

The depth chart placement is a tad curious because it suggests Benson ran ahead of either WR Tre Tucker or WR Jack Bech. Benson has been rotating in with the first-team offense for more than a week, so this isn’t groundbreaking news, but one wonders if he can use the opportunity to make a compelling case for a starting role in three-wide receiver sets.

The Raiders are reportedly rotating five different wide receivers through team drills, including Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor and Dont’e Thornton. Tucker is the most proven player of the bunch and should be expected to secure a starting role. Things are fluid beyond that. McFadden named Benson, a sixth-round rookie, his “biggest surprise” of spring practices. He reportedly fostered a strong connection with QB Fernando Mendoza. Given his draft capital, Benson is likely a long shot to earn a starting role, but he also possesses intriguing upside as a field stretcher. Don’t bank on a breakout, but keeping an eye on him this summer is worthwhile.

Benson (6’0”/189) is a fifth-year prospect who made stops at Hutchinson Community College, Alabama, and Florida State before joining Oregon for the 2025 season. During his time with Alabama and FSU, Benson totaled 38 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns, but posted a 43-719-6 line in his lone season with the Ducks. Playing primarily on the outside, Benson did most of his damage on the season against Washington and James Madison, with 221 of his yards and three of his touchdowns coming in those two games. A former high school track star, Benson is a home run threat who posted a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine and saw five of his six scores last season come from 40-plus yards out. He hauled in 62.5 percent of his contested targets over the final two seasons and had just one drop on his resumé last season. His slender build could cause him problems against press coverage at the next level, but Benson’s explosive playmaking ability will draw the attention of coaches in camp. In addition to his ability to break off big gains through the air, Benson also returned nine punts for 161 yards and a touchdown last season and could have a chance to make an early impact as a returner.