While Malik Benson only spent one year at Oregon, he won the loyalty of Ducks fans everywhere after his performance this season. From the big touchdown against the Washington Huskies, the clutch reception against Iowa, to stepping up when our wide receiver room was hurt, Benson was reliable.
He has talent, is sure-handed, and is a great deep ball threat. Benson just declared for the NFL draft, and any team would be lucky enough to take him. He may not be WR1, or be taken in the first few rounds, but Benson definitely deserves a chance in the pros.
Invitation Accepted@oregonfootball WR Malik Benson (@Leek_leek5) has officially accepted his invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl! 🦆#GoDucks | #ShrineBowlWHOSNEXT 😎 pic.twitter.com/38CitPnD9Z
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 5, 2026
Malik Benson Deserves a Chance
Benson's role wasn't huge until towards the end of the season. But once his name was called, he was ready and made all the right plays. This season, Benson had 43 receptions, 719 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 16.7 yards per catch, ranking in the top 40 wide receivers in the country.
Sharing a WR room with Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, and Gary Bryant Jr., that is a good amount of production given the situation. You watch him on tape, and it looks good. Even if the stats don't jump out at you, Oregon fans know how great and valuable he was in his time with the Ducks. But his current draft stock is not the best. In fact, many have Benson going undrafted.
If that is the case, then he must be signed as an undrafted free agent and given a shot. His potential is too good to completely pass up on. Benson has a lot of experience in college football, and that is something scouts value when evaluating a prospect. As a JUCO product, he never ran from the grind and worked his way up.
Malik Benson 1 on 1 with a safety is the look you want. pic.twitter.com/OYTM2vFehq
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 10, 2026
After playing two years at Hutchinson Community College, he made stops at Alabama and Florida State before coming to Oregon. His role was much smaller with the Crimson Tide and Seminoles, and when given the opportunity with Oregon, he blossomed. Even if he doesn't get his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft, scouts need to take a good look at Benson and give him an opportunity again.