Malik Benson 2026 NFL Draft Profile
Ranked as the #20-24 best receiver prospect in this year’s draft, Benson’s time in the 40-yard dash, 4.37, has teams salivating. Benson will stretch defenses, and he also has upside as a kick and punt returner. He played for four games in four years; lack of continuity has some concerned. His world-class speed led to five touchdown receptions of 40 yards or greater in 2025. Benson has relied on just speed thus far, however. He has much to learn about running polished pass routes. He struggles against physical coverage, too.
Malik Benson 2026 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 189 pounds
School: Oregon
2026 NFL Draft Malik Benson Scouting Report
Strengths
- Elite track speed stretches defenses to open up the field,
- Home run threat on every play, Benson will benefit from elite quarterback play in the right system.
- Benson is a big-play monster with five of his six touchdowns in 2025 coming from 40 yards or more,
- Asset on kick and punt returns, sprinted to an 85-yard touchdown in 2025
- Demonstrated ability to adjust to throws over his shoulder and come back for the ball
- Averaged 17.9 yards as a punt returner, and his skills will transfer to kickoff returns if given the chance
Malik Benson is a WR prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 7.34 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1045 out of 3926 WR from 1987 to 2026.
Pending pro day.https://t.co/sqGZFotM8z pic.twitter.com/dwyYJF1iDt
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 21, 2026
Weaknesses
- He lacks strength and will need to work in the weight room to handle press coverage.
- Has not shown the ability to break tackles in traffic
- Needs work on refining his passing routes instead of relying on pure speed.
- Easily outmuscled in press coverage in college play; Despite his pure speed, he needs work on developing quickness in tight spaces and traffic.
- Benson needs to sign early and get reps with quarterbacks in camp to work on timing at the pro level.
- Turns 24 in his rookie season, a negative for teams looking to develop a prospect;
- Malik did not impact the running game as a blocker, was nearly a liability, and he needs to bulk up.
- Benson’s pass routes need polishing, as he is rough around the edges on running routes outside of using pure speed.
"At the end of the day, it's me vs. the other receivers in the draft class. And I'm going to pick me every single time."
-Oregon receiver Malik Benson
NFL Draft steal??#GoDucks https://t.co/FXkBW5nVOr pic.twitter.com/V4Y2nxOveI
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) April 17, 2026
NFL Comparison: Quez Watkins, Jalin Hyatt
Teams With Need At Position: Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs
Projection: Rounds 5-6
.@oregonfootball WR Malik Benson taking the lead in the WR clubhouse with a 4.38u
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pRrcFgAcvg— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
Bottom Line on Malik Benson
Benson has elite speed that teams salivate over. Five teams in particular have been eyeing Benson: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs Of particular note by teams has been his public service background, elite speed and ability to play both in the slot and on the perimeter. He brings added value to any team as a punt and kickoff returner, not to mention in punt and kickoff coverage. Teams’ ability to select a preferred choice from the wide receiver pool in the early rounds directly impact Benson’s draft selection. Teams needing to bolster their receiving corps with a speedster may need to move up to select Benson before he is grabbed by teams in need.
