The Las Vegas Raiders are still weeks away from training camp, but the early word out of OTAs and minicamp is that rookie wide receiver Malik Benson is making himself impossible to ignore. The sixth-round pick out of Oregon has reportedly built a quick, natural connection with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.
According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Benson stood out as Mendoza’s go-to target during team drills, especially when working the middle of the field. The Raiders drafted Benson specifically because they saw him as a vertical threat who could unlock explosive plays. Based on what’s happened so far, that bet looks like it might pay off sooner than expected.
Benson is 23 years old and took a winding path through college football. He started at Alabama, spent time at Florida State, and finally landed at Oregon. That lone season with the Ducks was his best by a wide margin. He put up career highs with 43 catches, 719 yards and six touchdowns over 15 games. At 6-foot-1, he’s got the frame to win contested catches and the speed to stretch defenses.
The Raiders’ wide receiver room is wide open right now. There’s no established star, no guaranteed number one. The competition includes Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Dareke Young. Benson walked into a situation where playing time is there for the taking if he keeps producing in camp.
McFadden noted that Benson showed his explosiveness consistently throughout OTAs and minicamp. That matters more than usual for a sixth-round pick because the room doesn’t have a clear hierarchy. Benson isn’t just fighting for a roster spot. He’s competing for targets, potentially significant ones, in an offense that needs reliable pass catchers around Mendoza.
Of course, OTAs and minicamp are basically organized workouts with no pads and no real hitting. Training camp changes everything. But the early returns are real. The quarterback trusts him. The coaching staff saw enough to draft him. And the depth chart doesn’t have any obvious roadblocks. For a late-round pick, that’s about as good a starting point as you could ask for.
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