What type of receiver is Devin Funchess?

[Paa Langfart]

Arent the coaching staff throwing a lot more at Funchess than they did at Benjamin?  I read some where that they had him learning x , z,  and slot positions ?

[top dawg]

Arent the coaching staff throwing a lot more at Funchess than they did at Benjamin?  I read some where that they had him learning x , z,  and slot positions ?

From what I've gathered, he was supposed to learn all the positions anyway, and has the football IQ to do it. Part of his scouting report is that he is a mismatch nightmare. It's just that he now has to learn the X position within a graduated time frame---like now---as he tries to fill void that losing KB has left.

 

[Seltzer]

One thing I think it's important to note is that Kelvin got by probably got by (by his own admission) 80% on sheer physicality last year  Kelvin might be the biggest and strongest receiver in the league.  What makes this year so depressing is that it looked like he had improved the other 20% (route running, technique) substantially and was ready to make the leap to a Pro-Bowl level talent.  

To me, on paper and from what he has shown in TC, Funchess seems to be a more polished route runner as a rookie but far less physical despite being larger than most receivers.  The learning curve for rookies is steep, and even though I think he will get the mental side of the receive positions quick, I don't think the production on the field will be nearly where KB's was.

I think 600-700 yards and 6+ TD's would be a very good year for Funchess, and I don't think as fans we should expect any more than that.  I certainly hope to be surprised, but what KB did last year was not typical.

Funchess is not going to scare defensive coordinators like KB did b/c of his overwhelming size and physical advantage.  KB was getting #1 CB coverage from day one.  Now part of that was due to a lack of a receiver behind him, but I would think Corey Brown or Ginn will get the #1 CB coverage b/c of their speed instead of an unproven rookie.

All I really want to see from Funchess this year is growth and to become a solid 3rd option in the passing game.  I think that is realistic.  Funchess has the ceiling to be a good #2 WR at best IMHO.  I don't know if he would ever be anything more than the 3rd best option at receiver anyway with a healthy KB and Olsen.  And I'm not saying that as a knock.

There is not a single receiver on the roster that is going to replace Benjamin.  What we need is for 4-5 guys from the WR group to step up and give 2000-2500 yards of offense.  That is going to be tough.

I am and will always be a Panthers homer, but the comment about the Panthers having a bunch of #4 WR's is tough to argue from an objective point right now.

Funchess is unproven, Corey Brown hasn't proven anything beyond potentially being a 3rd WR based on his rookie season, and Ted Ginn has no track record to prove he can duplicate 2013.  Boykin and Bersin and definitely #4 WR's at best.  Cotchery is a possesion receiver at this point.

The situation is still definitely better than last year, especially based on upside, but defensive coordinator right now is scared of this group.  Even with KB, this wasn't the sexiest group of WR's by a long shot.  Without him, the expectations for this group are right back where they were last year for now.

[ThPantherFan]

Not redundant at all.

Thank you for not blasting someone that just happen to make a thread about a similar topic.  Too many posters want to chastise someone for making a similar thread.  It happens.

[top dawg]

Thank you for not blasting someone that just happen to make a thread about a similar topic.  Too many posters want to chastise someone for making a similar thread.  It happens.

Well, damn! Thank you for being classy. The Huddle can certainly use more of that.

[Wundrbread33]

This might be a situation where Funch is learning to consistently maximize the use of his size. I'm sure it was easy for him to be more physical in college because of the talent gap and in general the players can be smaller and less athletic.

You hear that often from rookies: "I'm getting used to the speed of the game at this level; the physicality."

Funchess looks like a beast and judging by how the coaches rave about his football IQ, I see him succeeding.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[top dawg]

One thing I think it's important to note is that Kelvin got by probably got by (by his own admission) 80% on sheer physicality last year  Kelvin might be the biggest and strongest receiver in the league.  What makes this year so depressing is that it looked like he had improved the other 20% (route running, technique) substantially and was ready to make the leap to a Pro-Bowl level talent.  

To me, on paper and from what he has shown in TC, Funchess seems to be a more polished route runner as a rookie but far less physical despite being larger than most receivers.  The learning curve for rookies is steep, and even though I think he will get the mental side of the receive positions quick, I don't think the production on the field will be nearly where KB's was.

I think 600-700 yards and 6+ TD's would be a very good year for Funchess, and I don't think as fans we should expect any more than that.  I certainly hope to be surprised, but what KB did last year was not typical.

Funchess is not going to scare defensive coordinators like KB did b/c of his overwhelming size and physical advantage.  KB was getting #1 CB coverage from day one.  Now part of that was due to a lack of a receiver behind him, but I would think Corey Brown or Ginn will get the #1 CB coverage b/c of their speed instead of an unproven rookie.

All I really want to see from Funchess this year is growth and to become a solid 3rd option in the passing game.  I think that is realistic.  Funchess has the ceiling to be a good #2 WR at best IMHO.  I don't know if he would ever be anything more than the 3rd best option at receiver anyway with a healthy KB and Olsen.  And I'm not saying that as a knock.

There is not a single receiver on the roster that is going to replace Benjamin.  What we need is for 4-5 guys from the WR group to step up and give 2000-2500 yards of offense.  That is going to be tough.

I am and will always be a Panthers homer, but the comment about the Panthers having a bunch of #4 WR's is tough to argue from an objective point right now.

Funchess is unproven, Corey Brown hasn't proven anything beyond potentially being a 3rd WR based on his rookie season, and Ted Ginn has no track record to prove he can duplicate 2013.  Boykin and Bersin and definitely #4 WR's at best.  Cotchery is a possesion receiver at this point.

The situation is still definitely better than last year, especially based on upside, but defensive coordinator right now is scared of this group.  Even with KB, this wasn't the sexiest group of WR's by a long shot.  Without him, the expectations for this group are right back where they were last year for now.

I hope you are wrong about Funchess and his probability to scare DCs this year, as well as his ability to be physicaI. I would hope that even if being physical is not innate with Funchess, that hopefully he can learn the art of being physical from a technical standpoint (if you get what I'm saying). 

Funchess' frame may be just a tad less imposing than KB's, which would make him perhaps the second strongest receiver in the league.  He just needs to learn the technique from Proehl to use that frame. He now also has that unique cheerleader in KB that will hopefully add to his teaching on being able to use that rare frame.  It's my hope that KB can also impart some of that attitude. If Funchess gets a little stag in him, then this year may be more interesting than we might imagine. 

I appreciate your overall insight though, even as it pertains to Funchess, and you could very well be right on the money.

[Razeyfingers]

Funchess is still learning the finer points of receiving although is much further ahead of where he was advertised to be. He understands concepts well, as stated by the coaches. He will pick up all 3 positions, x y and z, but has been concentrating on the other two 2 spots, y and z. He came in with a pretty good set of tools in that area although has never had the benefit of a QB like Cam throwing 100 mph.

 

Physically he is very big and very powerful in comparison to other receivers. He played linebacker as well as lining up wide in D1 football. . . . yes dude, he played linebacker too. He has soft hands and good habits as a receiver so far technically.  He is looking to hunt for the ball at the highest point, looks it in, tucks it, seems to have decent positional and spacing awareness. . . he looks good. I dont know if he can catch with contact yet or where he is on that so I'd like to see that for myself.

 

He plays nasty with the ball, more of T.O. type receiver in that he will lower his head and clock a DB from what I've seen in college. He has been learning how to use his hands more now at the line and when jockeying for position which is always one of the more polished things to teach a receiver. I would say the things that he's been learning in this camp tell me that he is close to being ready to go as a starter. I would like to see more before we can really say he can play that 1 spot.

*edit: Z receiver whatevers

 

[thefuzz]

So from what I have read, it seems that Funchess has had an average training camp for a rookie wideout., which I don't see as a negative. I have seen pics of him climbing the ladder to catch high passes and showing his athleticism, and I have seen videos of him running routes and looking smooth.

With his body size at 6'4" 230, he seems like he has the size to be a mismatch against pretty much any defender, but I hear it said time and again that he needs to learn to make use of his frame more which seems the opposite of KB who knew how to use his size early but needed to work on route running and skill. Proehl has touched on this as well when asked about Funchess.

So to those who have been to camp and paid attention to the young man, does he just play small right now? Does he play like a 6'0" guy, running smooth routes with good hands but is not natural at using his frame as an advantage? Could this just be a product of Funch needing to build confidence so he can play aggressively?

What are his strengths and weaknesses at this point?

I was really excited when we drafted him because I liked his game in college, but I want to know how he is translated so far to the NFL and want to discuss him since we won't be seeing him against Miami.

TL;DR 

Those that have seen Funchess in camp, describe his style and his current strengths and weaknesses at this point.

Thanks guys.

Michael Floyd type WR, IMO.  Same size, and skill set.

Good solid no. 1/2, hopefully he can be more of a 1 than a 2.

[Frizzy350]

All I really want to see from Funchess this year is growth and to become a solid 3rd option in the passing game.  I think that is realistic.  

Funchess has the ceiling to be a good #2 WR at best IMHO.  I don't know if he would ever be anything more than the 3rd best option at receiver anyway with a healthy KB and Olsen.

 And I'm not saying that as a knock.

 

I don't know why you would think that is his absolute ceiling.  In terms of pure physical measurables Funchess is up there.