The more things change...: The media hate begins (A few draft grades)

[top dawg]

Seems to me that they are harping on the negative, and grading us down for choosing Benjamin over Lee, but that just may be the theme until the season starts.  I suppose that perhaps the remaining picks could ostensibly make our first round pick of Benjamin look a little better. We'll see once the final grades are in I suppose.  I just wanted to see what some outside of the Huddle thought of the Benjamin pick.

 

I will say this: Michael Irvin loved the pick, as seemingly did Mayock.  Greg Cosell of NFL films was steadfast in his belief throughout the process that he thought Benjamin was a more fluid WR and better athlete than Mike Evans. Cosell also noted that Benjamin was more experienced running a pro style route tree.  

 

I believe in our staff's ability to unlock Benjamin's full potential, which is one things that some of these media guys "don't know" about.

 

SB Nation

28, Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

 

The grade: C-

 

The risk: The hope is Benjamin's hands – particularly on routine throws – are not an issue. The reality is he drops easy throws. Knocking this grade down further is the fact it doesn't address the offensive line.

 

The reward: Benjamin is a boom or bust selection and if he booms his talent is limitless. He's arguably the most physically gifted receiver in the class and could develop into a good target for Cam Newton.

 

 

 

CBSsports.com/nfldraftscout.com

28. Carolina: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State: The Panthers fill a gaping hole here with a huge specimen in Benjamin, who is one of this year's most polarizing prospects. His size/speed combination is uncanny, but concentration lapses have held him back from emerging as the top-10 talent that his athleticism says he should be. Despite his inconsistency, he should present a huge upgrade to what the Panthers currently have stocked at the receiver position, and is undeniably one of the most explosive big-play threats in the class. Massive upside, but Marquis Lee is probably the better overall WR prospect and is still available here. GRADE: B-

 

 

Walter Football

 Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State: C- Grade 

 

Ugh, over Marqise Lee and the other tackles? One trusted source we spoke to had Kelvin Benjamin slotted as a mid-round pick. He said that Benjamin couldn't run, and that he was very inconsistent with dropped passes. Lee probably would have been the better option, but at least Carolina is filling a huge need. The team almost had to pick a wideout or a left tackle with the 28th pick. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davos]

Screw walter football.

[Lilsmitty09]

The Huddle makes me laugh...hate Lafell cause he drops too many balls, we draft a guy who has the exact same hands as him...yet no mention.

We should've gone Lee. A proven WR not a one hit wonder

[Panther_Brotherhood]

Fug the media.  Honestly, they never give the Panthers any credit for anything they do, and constantly try to diminish their success with harping on what other teams did wrong and not what the Panthers did right.  

 

I love the KB pick.  Any normal person would love the KB pick.  Draft gurus don't like him because hes not polished.  Cam wasn't "polished" as a rookie either, and they drove the negative traits into the ground with him.

[Mother Grabber]

My trusted source is Dave Gettleman, and he says KB grades as BA for Bad Ass!

[Lilsmitty09]

Benjamin has concentration issues.

LaFell had STONE hands in clutch moments.

 

Isn't concentrating in clutch moments just as hard?

It's either you can catch or you can't. And he reminds me of Lafell.

Don't get me wrong, I want him to prove me wrong but I just wish we had taken Lee

[332nd]

Meh. Most of the comments I've head were positive.

[CelticCat]

I wonder what the other teams in the South think of our pick.

 

Evans, Cooks and Benjamin all in the South, wow.

[top dawg]

The Huddle makes me laugh...hate Lafell cause he drops too many balls, we draft a guy who has the exact same hands as him...yet no mention.

We should've gone Lee. A proven WR not a one hit wonder

 

Sure LaFell made some drops, but the main hate for him was entrenched in his inability to get separation. Benjamin has such a large catch radius, he will always be open in single coverage.  We will not have to scheme to get him open.

 

Furthermore, Benjamin has been criticized for dropping "routine catches", but known for making some "clutch" catches and game winning catches.

 

On my second point, sure the lines may be a bit blurrier, but to my first point, there is no comparison.  No one is comparing Benjamin to LaFell.  

[BlackCnqstdr]

The Huddle makes me laugh...hate Lafell cause he drops too many balls, we draft a guy who has the exact same hands as him...yet no mention.

We should've gone Lee. A proven WR not a one hit wonder

Lee had worse hands than Benjamin. Lafell's hands are an issue because he doesn't make enough plays to make up for them. Again some of the top WRs in the nfl had a higher drop rate than Benjamin, it doesn't matter when you're making big plays when you DO catch it.

[FearTheCats]

Mid Round pick? Lol. If we didn't draft him the Niners would've at 30 or the Seahawks at 32. 

[FuFuLamePoo]

The Huddle makes me laugh...hate Lafell cause he drops too many balls, we draft a guy who has the exact same hands as him...yet no mention.

We should've gone Lee. A proven WR not a one hit wonder

I'm willing to bet lee's drop percentage was considerably higher last year

[Bozarden]

The Huddle makes me laugh...hate Lafell cause he drops too many balls, we draft a guy who has the exact same hands as him...yet no mention.

We should've gone Lee. A proven WR not a one hit wonder

Lol if the issue with Benjamin is his hands then NO way we should have gone Lee. His technique when catching the ball is awful and he alligator arms a lot of balls. He had a drop rate around 12%, which is higher than Benjamins whose main issue is focus and not technique

[top dawg]

Wow, looks like someone didn't do their homework.