The Las Vegas Raiders snagged wide receiver Malik Benson with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and while he may not carry the same first-round buzz as fellow rookies Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans) or KC Concepcion (Cleveland Browns), don't sleep on his potential to make an impact in Sin City.

With the Raiders' WR2 spot wide open for the taking, Benson has a real shot to carve out a role in the team's passing attack. The former Oregon standout turned heads in 2025, racking up 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns while showcasing a versatile skill set—making tough catches in traffic and stretching the field with deep routes. That kind of production could be a perfect fit for Las Vegas.

If the Raiders' offense can generate over 3,500 passing yards in 2026—a mark Kirk Cousins hit in just 14 games with the Falcons back in 2024—rookie quarterback Mendoza could be the one feeding Benson downfield. And that's good news for the sixth-rounder, who thrives on vertical targets.

According to Raiders Wire projections, Benson is expected to finish his rookie season with 438 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That would place him as the team's fourth-leading receiver, behind established veterans Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker, and Jalen Nailor.

Bowers is forecasted for another 1,000-yard campaign in 2026, while Tucker is poised for a career year with a projected 760 yards. Nailor, the most experienced of the bunch, will be Benson's stiffest competition for targets. As the veteran downfield threat, Nailor is expected to edge out the rookie with 530 receiving yards on the season.

For a sixth-round pick, Benson's path to meaningful snaps is clearer than most—and if he can build on his Oregon momentum, he could be a sneaky weapon in the Raiders' aerial attack.