Oregon's Malik Benson Reflects on Unique NFL Draft Meetings

The wide receiver details his memorable encounters with the Cowboys and Chiefs as he prepares for the next level.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:51pm by

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-catch, their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the multifaceted nature of Malik Benson's path to the NFL.Benson's journey to the NFL has been defined by perseverance, and his unique pre-draft meetings reflect the thorough evaluation process top prospects undergo.Eugene Today

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson has met with nearly every NFL team during the pre-draft process, but two meetings stood out for him - one with the Dallas Cowboys that surprised him by bringing up his past community service work, and another with his hometown Kansas City Chiefs that left him beaming as he spoke with head coach Andy Reid.

Why it matters

Benson's unique experiences during the NFL Draft process provide a glimpse into how teams evaluate prospects beyond just on-field performance, highlighting the extensive research and personal connections they try to make. His story also resonates with Oregon fans as he prepares to take the next step in his football career.

The details

In his meeting with the Cowboys, Benson was caught off guard when the team brought up his past community service work, including volunteering at elementary schools and helping with turkey drives while at Alabama. Benson was impressed that the Cowboys had done their homework on him beyond just his football skills. Meanwhile, Benson's meeting with the Chiefs, the team he grew up rooting for, was an emotional experience as he got to speak with head coach Andy Reid. Benson said the conversation focused more on him as a person than football, leaving him smiling for an hour afterwards as he imagined the possibility of catching passes from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

  • In 2023 and 2024, Benson did a lot of community service work while at Alabama.
  • Benson met with the Dallas Cowboys at the NFL Combine.

The players

Malik Benson

An Oregon Ducks wide receiver who is entering the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout college career.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the team Benson grew up rooting for.

Brian Schottenheimer

The head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, who met with Benson during the pre-draft process.

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What they’re saying

“They watched my film and then they're just asking me what are my favorite plays. They're just trying to see who I am as a person. I got to tell my story - I transferred a couple of times. So, once they hear my story and they kind of understand why I transferred, it clears like the little fog that they have. Then once they're able to, see my football IQ too, then they're like, oh man, like he's fast and he's smart.”

— Malik Benson, Oregon Ducks Wide Receiver

“That was a special moment just because in this process, I think about the journey that it took for me to get here… Growing up a Chiefs fan, when you get into the Zoom and you see Coach (Andy) Reid, offensive coordinator (Eric Bieniemy) - the whole time, I just have this smile on my face.”

— Malik Benson, Oregon Ducks Wide Receiver

What’s next

The judge in Benson's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

Benson's unique experiences during the NFL Draft process show how teams go beyond just on-field performance to evaluate prospects, highlighting the extensive research and personal connections they try to make. His story also resonates with Oregon fans as he prepares to take the next step in his football career.