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Trey Benson

Trey Benson Player Profile

Summary

Trey Benson was selected in the 3rd round (66th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Florida State University He played college football at Florida State University (after transferring from Oregon), where over his FSU career he tallied 1,895 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, and added significant receiving production. Florida State University In 2023, Benson rushed for 906 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also catching 20 passes for 227 yards. Florida State University He earned Second‑Team All‑ACC honors in both 2022 and 2023. NFL Draft Buzz Known for his powerful, compact frame, good long speed, and ability to break tackles, Benson is regarded as a three-down back with big-play ability and maturity. PFSN

Strengths

  • Powerful, Dense Frame: Benson has a compact but strong lower body that lets him absorb contact and finish runs. PFSN

  • Explosiveness / Speed: He shows near-elite burst and long speed, capable of breaking into the second level quickly. PFSN

  • Vision & Patience: He reads gaps well, waits for blocks to form, and hits the right lanes decisively. PFSN

  • Pass‑Catching Ability: He’s a reliable receiver out of the backfield, with natural hands and receiving production at FSU. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Finisher Mentality: Benson runs through contact, uses leg drive, and displays stiff-arm ability and toughness in space. PFSN

  • Big-Play Ability: He has multiple 80-yard touchdown runs and an 80-yard receiving score in college — a rare combination. Florida State University

  • Leadership / Character: His on-field play and off-field maturity earned him recognition such as the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award at FSU. Florida State University

  • Ball Security: Though not explicitly stated in every source, his style and scouting reports emphasize a low fumble risk. NFL Draft Buzz

Weaknesses

  • Pass Protection: According to his 2024 scouting profile, Benson needs development in blitz pickup and pass-blocking technique. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Hip Flexibility: Scouts have noted limited hip flexibility, which may hamper his ability to change direction sharply in tight space. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Durability Concerns: He’s had a major knee injury in the past (while at Oregon), which may raise long-term health questions. SI

  • Prolonged Workload Questions: Given his size and style, there are questions about how well he’ll hold up as a workhorse back over a full NFL season. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Limited Route Tree Production: While a good receiver, he may not have run a very complex route tree in college, raising questions about his usage in highly technical offenses. NFL Draft Buzz

Fit & Outlook

  • Fit:
    Trey Benson projects as a three-down back in an NFL offense that values versatility. He fits especially well in teams that run a balanced attack — using him in both power‑run schemes and in passing situations where he can be a reliable outlet or route‑running threat. His combination of size, speed, and pass-catching makes him a valuable piece for offenses that want a bell-cow back who can also contribute on early downs and third downs.

  • Outlook:
    Looking ahead, Benson’s outlook is very promising. If he stays healthy and continues refining his pass protection, he has the potential to become a featured back. His big-play ability gives him a high ceiling: he could be a back who breaks off long runs or catches big passes. His floor is already strong as a reliable, versatile back who can carry a significant workload. Given his leadership, character, and talent, he’s likely to be an important contributor for the Cardinals (or any team) for years — potentially a three-down starter with breakout upside.