It’s becoming nearly impossible to ignore what one Day 3 rookie is currently doing at training camp for the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the business of having good football players, and they found one in Malik Benson.
The Las Vegas Raiders are eight days into training camp, and the buzz surrounding sixth-round wide receiver Malik Benson has reached a level nobody anticipated.
Benson, the Oregon product, took reps at the WR2 spot after Jalen Nailor sat out with a minor issue. Head coach Klint Kubiak praised Benson at his press conference and confirmed the Raiders are simply being cautious with Nailor. Benson is also fielding punts alongside Tre Tucker, doing everything he can to carve out a significant role on this roster.
The hype is real. Benson’s 4.3 speed translates to the field in a way that separates him from other fast receivers on the roster. Reports from camp describe him thriving on crossing routes, a Kubiak staple, and building a rapport with quarterback Fernando Mendoza on timing routes and comebackers.
That connection with Mendoza matters more long-term than any flashy play with Kirk Cousins’ unit. It feels like Benson could end up being a guy for this team for some time. Now, no one is calling him a future star, but a future starter is starting to seem like a real possibility.
How high is Benson’s ceiling?
The comparison game has already started. Whether it’s Antonio Brown in terms of skill set but not necessarily potential, or whether it’s Jameson Williams, it’s clear Benson has something. However, some are comparing what Benson is doing right now, to what a rookie last year did in training camp.
The key difference between Benson’s camp performance and Dont’e Thornton’s strong camp last year is context. The Raiders’ secondary was weak in 2024, meaning Thornton torching defensive backs in practice didn’t carry as much weight in hindsight. This year, the secondary is reportedly playing well, challenging receivers at the catch point. Benson winning against a better defensive back group carries more significance.
Production expectations for a sixth-round rookie should stay grounded. Something in the 200 to 400 yard range with two or three touchdowns would represent a strong rookie campaign. For comparison, last year Jack Bech finished with roughly 225 yards. Benson landing in the 300 to 400-yard neighborhood while also contributing as the primary punt returner would be a win.
He appears to have already surpassed Dareke Young on the depth chart and could leapfrog both Thornton and Bech by the time the regular season arrives. Or, this could just be the Raiders really trying to figure out what he is. We could get to Week 1, and Benson is the WR5 in the room. The fact that this conversation is even happening around a sixth-round pick says something about what the Raiders found.
