It’s already becoming increasingly obvious early in training camp that the Raiders found a hidden gem who can have a huge role in 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders may have hit on several Day 3 draft picks, with wide receiver Malik Benson being one of the best so far. And, Benson could be the main punt return guy.
The Las Vegas Raiders may have found a gem in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Rookie wide receiver Malik Benson is turning heads at training camp, and it’s becoming harder to ignore what he’s doing on the field.
Outside of quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the ongoing quarterback battle, Benson has generated the most buzz of any rookie in camp. His versatility, speed, and consistency are putting him in position to carve out a real role on this roster.
Benson is doing the little things that matter
It all starts with the details. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak made it clear early in camp that to make this roster, players need to be versatile. They either need to play multiple positions or contribute on special teams. Benson is checking both boxes. He’s been fielding punts and kickoffs at practice, and in one-on-one drills, he’s been excellent. He’s hauled in some impressive catches from Mendoza and others, and the coaching staff has mentioned his name repeatedly.
Benson was a sixth-round pick out of Oregon, so nobody expects him to walk in and start on day one. But the Raiders found something with him, and that much seems obvious at this point. When that translates to regular-season production is a different question, but the early returns are promising.
Where Benson fits in the wide receiver competition
The top four spots in Las Vegas’s wide receiver room appear settled. Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, and Dant’e Thornton Jr. are the main guys. The question has always been about spots five and six, if the Raiders decide to keep six receivers on the 53-man roster.
Before camp, the expectation was that the final spots would come down to Benson and Dareke Young, who played for Kubiak last season with the Seattle Seahawks and served as a kick returner. If the Raiders only keep five, it was going to be a tight battle between those two. If they keep six, both would likely be fighting off competition from players like Phillip Dorsett, Shedrick Jackson, and Chase Roberts.
But Benson has been great. From everything coming out of camp, he’s been one of the primary punt returners alongside Tucker. If Benson can take some of those return duties off Tucker’s plate, that frees Tucker to focus on offense, which helps the team in multiple ways.
Could Benson eventually push for more?
Benson brings legitimate speed to the table. He’s caught a lot of good balls during camp; he’s improving daily, and the coaches keep saying his name. For a sixth-round pick, that’s exactly what you want to see.
If the Raiders can develop him into a contributor on both offense and special teams early in the season, this becomes a huge find for general manager John Spytek and the front office staff. From everything reported out of camp, that’s the direction things are trending.
There are even some who believe Benson could eventually come for Thornton’s roster spot. That feels premature, but the fact that the conversation exists tells you how well this rookie has performed. Benson is making moves, and the Raiders are taking notice.
