MalikBenson

News: 3 days agoBenson caught one pass (on two targets) for six yards while taking his lone carry for minus-8 yards during the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. He also returned two punts for 35 yards.

Spin: Benson caught a six-yard pass from Kirk Cousins in what was the former's first NFL catch, though he lost eight yards on a double reverse that the Dolphins defense snuffed out. Benson's seven snaps on offense were the fewest among Raiders wide receivers Sunday, and even with Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, the rookie sixth-rounder figures to be an afterthought in Las Vegas' offense, though he'll have the opportunity to make plays on special teams as a punt returner.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Benson was selected by the Raiders in the sixth round of April's draft. An accomplished sprinter, the speedy Benson has big play written all over him, though he's a slightly older prospect and his collegiate production was limited by a lot of changes in scenery (two years of community college followed by 2023 at Alabama, 2024 at Florida State and 2025 at Oregon). Benson never cleared a 15% target share in a single season, peaking with a 43-719-6 receiving line in 2025. Benson is a longshot as a sixth rounder, but the Raiders' shaky wide receiver depth chart presents him with an opportunity to quickly earn a role. Still, he's no more than a deep sleeper.