INDIANAPOLIS — Malik Benson did not just run the 40-yard dash; he launched a missile. The former Oregon Ducks wide receiver clocked an official 4.37 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday. You could almost feel the buzz ripple through the bleachers at Lucas Oil Stadium when his time flashed on the giant screen. Evaluators watched closely as the transfer standout confirmed the elite, track-caliber speed he displayed all season in Eugene. He came to Indy with something to prove, and he delivered.
Stepping Up When Oregon Needed Him Most
Dakorien Moore went down with a knee injury before the Iowa game last November. Panic swept through the Oregon fanbase. The Ducks desperately needed a true WR1 to step up for quarterback Dante Moore. Benson answered the call. He took over the deep threat role and finished the 2025 campaign leading the team with 719 receiving yards on 43 catches and six touchdowns.
Benson’s journey is built on grit. From Hutchinson Community College to Alabama, then Florida State, and finally finding a home in Eugene, he never quit. He just kept grinding until his number was called. His speed shredded Big Ten secondaries. He routinely burned defensive backs who dared to give him a cushion. Benson proved he was more than just a deep threat; his burst made him a nightmare on short slants where he routinely broke tackles and bolted for the end zone.
The 2026 Combine Breakdown
The harsh, sterile lights of Lucas Oil Stadium shine brightest on the fastest men. When Benson settled into his three-point stance, a quiet anticipation fell over the scouts holding their stopwatches. His weekend in Indianapolis answered the biggest questions about his athletic profile. Here are his official measurements and drill results:
- Height: 6-feet
- Weight: 189 pounds
- Hand Size: 8 5/8″
- Arm Length: 31 7/8″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds (4th among his WR group)
- 10-Yard Split: 1.55 seconds (Tied for 7th)
- Vertical Jump: 32.50″ (13th)
- Broad Jump: 10′ 2″ (10th)
He lacks an elite vertical leap, but NFL teams draft him to run past defenders, not jump over them. His broad jump numbers were slightly underwhelming for a former track athlete, but his raw speed heavily outweighs his leaping ability.
“Benson, formerly the No. 1 JUCO prospect, made his mark with Oregon in 2025 after less productive stints at Alabama (2023) and Florida State (2024). He combines electric, track-caliber speed with above-average ball skills to create a real deep threat on every snap. He needs to diversify his releases and his route-running won’t impress, but his speed forces open easy hitches/slants underneath. He has a plus catch radius and rare toughness for a speed demon. He’s unflinching working into the middle.”
— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Draft Analyst
Draft Implications / What’s Next
Benson entered the combine projected as a late-round flier. His 4.37 time changes the math completely. Why does that 1.55 10-yard split matter? It forces cornerbacks to flip their hips instantly. If a defender hesitates for a fraction of a second against Benson, the rep is over. He does not need to run a complex route tree right now; his sheer velocity creates a panic cushion, opening up the quick passing game underneath.
Speed kills in the modern NFL, and offensive coordinators crave receivers who stretch the field. Teams looking for a rotational deep threat to blow the top off defenses will circle his name. He will have another chance to improve his broad and vertical jump numbers at Oregon’s Pro Day next month. If he catches the ball smoothly during those positional drills, expect him to hear his name called as early as Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
