Oregon’s Benson, Powers-Johnson fighting different battles in Raiders camp

NFL training camp is underway, and the Oregon Ducks have several alumni attempting to prove themselves around the league. No training camp may be more interesting to Oregon fans than the one taking place with the Las Vegas Raiders.

A pair of former Ducks are battling for roster spots in Las Vegas in training camp, but under very different circumstances. Malik Benson, a sixth-round pick in April’s NFL draft, is proving to be a capable receiver as a rookie. Meanwhile, Jackson Powers-Johnson, now entering his third season with the Raiders, is fighting for his spot along the offensive line.

Benson starred for the Ducks last season on offense and on special teams. After arriving from Florida State in the transfer portal, Benson led all Oregon receivers last season with 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Raiders took a late-round flyer on Benson for his speed, but he’s quickly become a favorite target for top pick Fernando Mendoza in training camp.

On Friday, with veteran wideout Jalen Nailor sitting out of practice, Benson took a majority of first-team reps with the offense, led by four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins. While it is still early in training camp for roles to be defined, Benson has made a strong impression on his coaches and teammates and should receive plenty of opportunities with the ball in the preseason.

“I love him. That’s one of my guys,” Raiders tight end Michael Mayer said of Benson. “He’s got great hands, he’s quick. He’s moving up, you know? He was in there with us for the two-minute (drill) today, and I love when he’s in there with me.”

Malik Benson = Playmaker 👀
pic.twitter.com/vGOHZbXuk1

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) November 29, 2025

Benson quickly rose the depth chart with the Ducks in 2025. He arrived in Eugene with the potential to be a speedy playmaker, but not with expectations of leading the room. However, after Evan Stewart went down with an injury in the summer and Benson put together a strong fall camp, he made it tough for Dan Lanning and Will Stein to keep him off the field.

So far, he seems to be putting Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak in a similar situation.

“He’s just a young man that’s coming here ready to compete for a job,” Kubiak said. “When a guy can make plays on offense and then be a core team player, that says a lot to his teammates about what he’s made out of.”

In the trenches, Powers-Johnson has had to battle throughout his career for his spot. After excelling as a center with the Ducks, Powers-Johnson has drifted between center and guard in Las Vegas, never locking down either spot.

Although he has made his desire to be the center clear, the Raiders like the former Rimington Trophy winner best at right guard. He has split reps on the first-team offense with Caleb Rogers, and it appears the two are locked in a tight battle for the starting job in camp.

Unfortunately, the Raiders have had no stability since Powers-Johnson was drafted. The team is now on its third coaching staff in as many seasons, and they all view how to use Powers-Johnson differently. That’s made it tough for the former Duck to settle in early in his career. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 10 last season, casting his future with the team further into doubt.

“I’m just working. I’m trying to get better every day,” Powers-Johnson said. “We are trying to get better every day. It’s not about what I do or what I put out there. It’s about what we do. It’s not one person. It’s a whole team. … We’re not looking five or six months in the future. I’m not pocket watching. I’m not going to look all over that because that’s anxiety, and that’s something I don’t need and that’s something we don’t need as a team as well.”

The preseason will be important for Powers-Johnson to take full command of the starting reps in practice and reestablish his role as a starter for the Raiders this season. The Raiders want to find a way to get former Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty going, and Powers-Johnson has always been able to clear rushing lanes, regardless of his position.

The autumn wind is approaching, blustering in from sea. In training camp, the rookie Benson sweeps along, swaggering boisterously. And while Powers-Johnson may be weather-beaten by yet another change in coaching staff, he continues to earn his spot on the offense.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon’s Benson, Powers-Johnson fighting different battles in Raiders camp