New NFL Team Connected to Oregon Ducks Wide Receiver Malik Benson

The 2026 NFL Draft is near, beginning on April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of the more explosive wide receivers in the class, Oregon Ducks' Malik Benson, has been garnering some attention as of late.

According to NFL analyst Ryan Fowler, the senior standout will meet virtually with the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Kansas City's general manager Brett Veach, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and wide receiver coach Chad O’Shea are all expected to be on the call.

Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson warms up as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Kansas City has the No. 109, No. 148, No. 169 (via Los Angeles Rams), No. 176 (compensatory)
and No. 210 (via Los Angeles Rams) overall pick on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

Benson also met recently with the Seattle Seahawks via Zoom, and the Buffalo Bills hosted a private dinner as well as a private workout in Eugene, Oregon, during their Pro Day.

Nov 25, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Zion Puckett (10) closes in on Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Malik Benson (11) during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images | John Reed-Imagn Images

Malik Benson's College Journey

Benson started his collegiate football career with Hutchinson Community College in Kansas from 2020 to 2021. He became the No. 1-rated junior college prospect in the 2021 recruiting class after those first two seasons.

He then had trouble finding his stride during his time with the SEC's Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023 and the Atlantic Coast Conference's Florida State Seminoles in 2024. Benson would finish with just 473 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 38 receptions in his first two seasons at the NCAA Division I level.

In his one season in the Big Ten Conference, he completely bumped up his previous production with 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 43 receptions. Five of his six touchdown catches in 2025 went for 40+ receiving yards. Benson was vital in the run to the College Football Playoff semifinals alongside then redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore.

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon wideout Malik Benson (W006) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

At the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash (fourth-highest at the event) and a 1.55-second 10-yard split. Benson jumped a 32.5-inch vertical and 10-2 broad, not nearly as impressive as his speed tests.

Because of his uptick in production during his short time with the Ducks, the 6-0 and 190-pound standout is projected to be a Day 3 selection. Benson can be picked anywhere from the fifth to the seventh round in April.

He has track-like speed with above-average ball skills. Benson can be a reliable deep threat at the next level and be a favorite target for many different franchise quarterbacks. What he needs to be is a more diverse route-runner, and that will come with time.

Oregon Ducks Who Are Waiting to Hear Named Called

Oregon defensive back Jadon Canady participates in the broad jump during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Along with Benson, the other Oregon players expected to be drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft are safety Dillon Thieneman, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon, offensive tackle Alex Harkey, inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher, offensive tackle Isaiah World, cornerback Jadon Canady and running back Noah Whittington.

The most first-round picks in a single NFL Draft for the Ducks program are two (1972, 2013, 2015, 2025). This year, there is a chance that three can be taken with Thieneman, Sadiq and possibly Pregnon.

Oregon set a program record with 10 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. That performance surpassed the previous school record of eight players drafted, which was set in 2024.

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