Malik Benson is drawing attention in the lead-up to the NFL Draft, with projections placing him as a Day 3 receiver whose next stop could come quickly. In the latest draft chatter, Malik Benson has been linked to both the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys, making his name one to watch as selections move into the later rounds.
Why Malik Benson is in the conversation
The broad picture is clear: Oregon does not have the same top-end draft volume it usually carries, but Malik Benson stands out among the sleepers. One projection places him in the sixth round with Carolina, while another sees Dallas as a possible fit in the fifth round at pick No. 152.
That split reflects the range around Malik Benson’s stock. Some evaluators see him as a Round 4 possibility, while others expect him later on Day 3. What remains consistent is the view that he offers value as a receiver with speed and enough all-around ability to help a team looking for depth.
What the numbers and fit say
At Oregon last season, Malik Benson led the team in receiving yards and finished with 43 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 16. 7 yards per catch in one account and 16. 9 yards per reception in another, underscoring the downfield profile that has helped keep him on draft boards.
The fit conversations are straightforward. Carolina is described as needing a wide receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, while Dallas is looking at its receiver depth behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. In both cases, Malik Benson is being viewed as the kind of player who could strengthen a rotation rather than carry the load alone.
Speed is the calling card
Malik Benson’s speed keeps showing up in the draft discussion. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4. 37 40-yard dash, and the reports tied that pace to his ability to track the deep ball, attack defenders on digs and comeback routes, and even handle punt returns if needed.
That speed comes with a caveat. The reports also note that Malik Benson still needs work on the short and intermediate parts of his game, but his ability to stretch a defense is seen as a real asset for a team that wants a field-flipping option on Day 3.
Immediate reactions and what comes next
Chad Reuter of NFL. com projected Malik Benson to the sixth round and paired him with the Panthers, while Dallas was framed as a team that could target him with one of its Day 3 picks. Those projections place Malik Benson in a narrow lane: not a headline first-round name, but a receiver whose role could become clear once the draft board starts to move.
Malik Benson’s path also adds weight to the discussion. He began at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas in 2021, transferred to Alabama in 2023, moved to Florida State in 2024, and then joined Oregon last year. If his name comes off the board this week, Malik Benson should land with a team that sees immediate value in speed, depth, and a chance to grow.
