Malik Benson

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Sunday that he’s liking what he’s seeing from Malik Benson, whether it’s building a rapport with fellow rookie Fernando Mendoza, or getting reps with the first-string offense quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins.

“Time on task helps everybody get better,” Kubiak said. “Malik has jumped in there with the ones at times, he’s earned those reps, but he’s got to stay humble and stay hungry.”

Benson is a familiar named in the dynasty community where he was a later-round prospect. He has always had the talent, but it didn't really transition in college. The story went on to say after playing two years of junior college football at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, Benson was viewed as the No. 1 junior college prospect in the country in 2023. He committed to Alabama, but after catching just 13 passes in 14 games there, he transferred to Florida State in 2024. After one season with the Seminoles, Benson transferred again, finishing his college career at Oregon in 2025. Overall, Benson caught 81 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns in three years in the NCAA. The Raiders WR group doesn't have any household names, so it could be a pretty open competition. Benson is worth keeping an eye on.