This Oregon Ducks star is being projected to land with an ideal team in the NFL Draft.
The Oregon Ducks have less top-tier talent than usual heading into the NFL Draft this year. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman are expected to be first-round picks and guard Emmanuel Pregnon will probably go on Day 2, but otherwise, the pool is fairly barren.
However, Oregon does have some intriguing sleepers who will likely come off the board on Day 3, and wide receiver Malik Benson is one of them.
Benson's stock has vacillated in terms of his projected round. Some feel he could go in Round 4, while others view him as a later Day 3 selection.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com seems to be in the latter category, as he is predicting Benson to get drafted in the sixth round. But it's Benson's projected destination that is pretty interesting: the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are in need of a wide receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Xavier Legette has been a major disappointment, and it doesn't appear that Carolina is too confident in Jimmy Horn Jr.
Malik Benson. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.Enter Benson, who hauled in 43 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, averaging a hefty 16.7 yards per catch.
Benson isn't particularly elite in any one area, but he is very well-rounded and could represent an upgrade over Legette in the Panthers' No. 3 receiver role.
Carolina's quarterback situation is still delicate, but Bryce Young did show considerable progress this past season, so Benson could find a cushy home with the Panthers, especially when you factor in his potential targets.
While Carolina may not be ready to completely throw in the towel on Legette just yet, you get the sense that the Panthers will be willing to move on from him in the right situation. Perhaps Benson can convince them?
Benson began his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas back in 2021 before transferring to Alabama in 2023. He then moved on to Florida State in 2024 and finally transferred to Oregon last year.
The 23-year-old did not begin producing significant numbers until joining the Ducks, where he led the squad in receiving yards this past season.
We'll see when Benson comes off the board this week.
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