Malik Benson

● Above-average speed, with gliding strides out in space ● Field-stretching ability, both horizontally and vertically ● Ran a “9” on 25.9 percent of his routes in 2025 and knows how to attack off coverage ● Tracks deep ball well, with adequate catch radius and hands ● Threat of his downfield speed opens comebacks and digs ● Has a few moves in his bag to win off the ball ● Can erase pursuit angles as a return man (see his 85-yard touchdown vs. USC in 2025) ● Good locker-room guy, because of his nonstop energy and desire to be great ● Production improved each season

● Sprinter size with a slender, lean frame and marginal bulk in his chest, arms and lowers ● Lacks ideal play strength — inconsistent playing through contact ● Occasionally makes plays above the rim, but can be more consistent there ● Not a seasoned route runner ● Inconsistent short-area agility at the top of routes ● Lacks discipline and rhythm to bait/fool corners ● Should be a better RAC threat given his speed ● Below-average sustain strength as a blocker

A one-year starter at Oregon (and two-and-a-half-year starter overall), Benson was a perimeter wideout (80.2 percent of career snaps) in former offensive coordinator Will Stein’s spread scheme. A well-traveled prospect, he played for four different programs over the past four years but performed his best as a senior, leading the Ducks in receiving yards. He tied for third in the Big 10 (with Jeremiah Smith and Omar Cooper Jr.) with 15 catches of 20-plus yards, and he was one of five FBS players in 2025 to average better than 17.5 yards per punt return. A deep-ball weapon, Benson is a fleet-of-foot athlete who can really fly once he opens up on downfield patterns (caught 11 of 17 targets of 20-plus yards in 2025). He can loosen coverage with the threat of his speed, but lacks the rhythm and efficiency to easily separate at the top of routes. He extends well to pull the ball in, although his lack of desired size and strength will be tough to mask in NFL traffic. Overall, Benson is undeveloped in the quick game and intermediate area, but his gliding speed and tracking skills will be valued by teams looking for a pure vertical receiver on the perimeter. His usefulness will also show on punt returns. 115 Back to table of contents -- 119 of 629 --