When training camp began last month, Las Vegas Raiders fans, by and large, were full of hope and optimism, not necessarily expectations. With a young football team, Raider Nation knew that patience was required and that these players needed time to develop under a brand-new and young staff.
But sixth-round rookie Malik Benson came bursting out of the gates at practice, ascending the very thin wide receiver depth chart almost immediately. And while he didn't necessarily star in his first preseason showing, he made an impact, even if he clearly still had things to work on in his game.
Against the Houston Texans last Thursday, though, Benson came fully back down to earth. Benson can turn things back around and still become a valuable pass-catcher in Las Vegas right away, but this serves as a reminder of just how inexperienced this team is and how far some players have to go.
Raiders' Malik Benson struggled tremendously against Texans
In the preseason opener, Benson caught two passes for 26 yards on four targets, which was a solid showing in just 20 snaps. One of the incompletions thrown his way was a back-shoulder throw that many felt should have been called defensive pass interference. That is an understandable miss.
After catching his first target for 18 yards against the Texans, though, Benson really struggled. The next ball that came his way was a perfect throw that he just flat-out dropped on third down, which ended the drive and killed all of the Raiders' momentum.
The next time he was targeted, he didn't attack the ball or tuck it quick enough, and a Houston defensive back was able to get his hands on it and knock it loose before he could secure it. Two straight drops are tough sledding for the rookie.
Aidan O'Connell targeted Benson twice in the second half as well, and neither of the passes was complete. All told, Benson played 34 snaps and only caught one pass for 18 yards on five targets with two drops. That is obviously not a great showing.
Klint Kubiak isn't mincing any words about the wide receiver corps in Las Vegas, either.
"Yeah, I learned a lot in that we have to get a lot better very fast,"Â Kubiak said of the wide receiver room to reporters. "That we took a step backwards; doesn't mean we can't go forward. But right now, we are trying to find someone that is accountable and can help us on Sunday. Still looking."
Benson was probably at the front of Kubiak's mind when he said this. All hope is not lost for the young player, obviously, but Benson has a long way to go. He can still be the player who steps up, as the depth chart is wide open. But he needs to limit simple mistakes if he wants to be that guy,
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