Oregon's speedster Malik Benson emerges as a 2026 NFL Draft dark horse. His separating ability and explosive playmaking could surprise teams.
The Oregon Ducks are set to have one of their most impressive NFL classes for April's draft.
The Ducks best player is arguably tight end Kenyon Sadiq, likely the first player from Oregon taken off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nine players made the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February.
Six of those nine players came from the offensive side of the ball. The Ducks would have had another player taken in the draft if quarterback Dante Moore hadn't decided to return for one more season in Eugene.
Ducks head coach Dan Lanning told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg that wide receiver Benson is a sleeper for the upcoming draft. He believes Benson's speed will help him in the league.
"Malik had an outstanding season for us, and his speed will really translate to the NFL," Lanning said. "His speed is a separator, and the type of person he is is a separator."
Benson transfered to Oregon from Florida State. He recorded 43 receptions, 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the Ducks.
Malik will probably wait to hear his name called during the weekend of the draft. Benson recently told the media he's not worried about being projected as a Day 3 pick.
“I don't pay too much attention, just because I remember looking at it last year and seeing some guys that were supposed to go top five and dropped all the way to the second round,” Benson said, via Sports Illustrated. “So just knowing that, shoot, the people that are making the boards aren't the ones that are making that final decision.”
“And I've tried not to get too much into that. Just because I know when you get into looking at things like that, obviously I know that I feel like I'm better than what some of them mocks can say."
Benson made a quick impact on Oregon in 2025, leading the team in receiving yards. That could make league teams take notice. He could acclimate quickly for an NFL team.
Seperation is huge for NFL quarterbacks. If teams think he bring that ability to the NFL, he could go higher in the draft.