Kelvin Benjamin By The Numbers

[hepcat]

WR Kelvin Benjamin is quickly becoming a polarizing figure for the Carolina Panthers. After what seemed like a promising rookie season in 2014, he tore his ACL during training camp in 2015 and was a spectator during the Panthers run to Superbowl 50. He returned in 2016 and the team struggled much like it did in 2014, this time without a late season run to the playoffs.

Head Coach Ron Rivera has confirmed that Benjamin came in overweight for voluntary workouts for the second straight season. Last season could be an aberration after coming off of rehab for his torn ACL, but this season he lacks that excuse. Speculation has begun swirling that Benjamin might not have the 5^th year option picked up on his rookie contract, the deadline being Tuesday May 2nd to do so. If the Panthers choose not to pick up the option, could it be the beginning of the end for Benjamin’s tenure as a Panther? Even if the Panthers pick up the option, could the Panthers be preparing for life without Benjamin?

I took the time to break down his stats over the two seasons he has been a starter. Obviously this leaves out the 2015 season he was injured.

The quick and dirty numbers are:

• The Panthers are 14-19-1 with Benjamin starting at WR, including two playoff games in 2014. Two of those wins and one loss came with Derek Anderson starting at QB, all against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• In the 14 games the Panthers won with Benjamin on the field, Benjamin has: 51 catches on 102 targets, for 737 yards and 4 TDs
• In the 19 losses, Benjamin has: 89 catches on 170 targets, for 1271 yards and 12 TDs.
• Benjamin has a 50% catch rate during wins. He has a 52% catch rate during losses.
• Benjamin averages 52.6 yards per game during wins. He averages 66.9 yards per game during losses.
• Cam Newton has only thrown 3 TDs to Kelvin Benjamin during games the Panthers won. Two of those were against San Francisco in 2016, one of the worst teams in the NFL that year. This game might also be the best of Benjamin’s short career so far.

Overall, Benjamin’s performance is wildly inconsistent. The only thing that is consistent is that he catches about 50% of the balls thrown his way. Gettleman referenced a “big strike zone” when the Panthers drafted Benjamin. In the NFL, catching 50% of the balls thrown your way is a bit lower than some of the other #1 receivers in the NFL. By comparison, the top 5 receivers by yardage: Antonio Brown caught 68% of passes thrown his way, Julio Jones caught 64%. Odell Beckham was at 59%, TY Hilton caught 58%, and Mike Evans caught 54%. Some of the blame could lie on Cam Newton and his well-known accuracy issues. But with the 2017 draft class appearing that the Panthers want to add more high percentage throws to the offense, guys like Benjamin who only catch 50% of targets might not fit the new model. Here are the stats I compiled.

GAMES WON:

 

GAMES LOST:

[LinvilleGorge]

Yikes. Not a good look.

[Ace_Aladdin]

2 TE set , get Gary Barndige 

 

 

[Jimmy]

Does any of this data include a few garbage TDs and catches in the 4th quarter? What I mean is...what are his stats in the 4th quarter in correlation to wins and loses?

[Ace_Aladdin]

1 minute ago, Jimmy said:

Does any of this data include a few garbage TDs and catches in the 4th quarter? What I mean is...what are his stats in the 4th quarter in correlation to wins and loses?

It's a lot better than Funchess

Funchess is already garbage trying to put him in #1 role will destroy this offense 

[hepcat]

3 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

Does any of this data include a few garbage TDs and catches in the 4th quarter? What I mean is...what are his stats in the 4th quarter in correlation to wins and loses?

I thought about including something about this, stats accumulated after the game was decided. Most notably the Steelers, Packers, and Eagles games in 2014 where Benjamin caught a TD pass in the 4th quarter long after the game was out of reach. 

[UpstatePanther]

as much as i love Benji as a person, if you arent helping the team win and you continue to show up to offseason workouts overweight, business decisions have to be made. 

As much as people talk about Greg Olsen being Cam's safety valve, i think Benji is that to him. just look at his stats in wins compared to his stats in losses. Benji gets more targets from Cam when the team isnt playing well. In other words, Cam presses and tries to throw to the guy he is most comfortable with when the team is in tough games. I bet if we studied Olsen's stats, we would see his production evenly split or even leaning more towards more production in winning efforts. 

i hate this for Benji, and i still have hope that he will get his act together, show up to camp trimmed down, and ball out this year. i still agree with Gettleman's assessment of Benji when he was drafted "you cant coach 6'5" 240", but the phyiscal tools and talent dont mean anything if you dont take care of yourself and dont put forth the effort

[Castavar]

5 minutes ago, sanjay_rajput said:

It's a lot better than Funchess

Funchess is already garbage trying to put him in #1 role will destroy this offense 

I say the hell with both of them. Try to get something for them now and move on. Let Cam go back to spreading it out (especially now with CMC and Samuel) without two big blobs hindering our offense. I STILL don't know what in the hell Gettleman was thinking trading up for Funchess in the 2nd round.

[Burning Bush]

I always thought his playing weight should be 230 235. He needs to be on all green diet and protein powder.

[Mvp2014]

Probably smokes mad weed.  I know thats the only thing that will ruin my diets.  Late night cravings baby

[Ace_Aladdin]

15 minutes ago, Castavar said:

I say the hell with both of them. Try to get something for them now and move on. Let Cam go back to spreading it out (especially now with CMC and Samuel) without two big blobs hindering our offense. I STILL don't know what in the hell Gettleman was thinking trading up for Funchess in the 2nd round.

Well then your still gonna need big body WR to work the outside , the reason we drafted those two because they Compliment Olsen and KB.

Best bet is to go to  2 TE set with CMC & Samuel .

Greenbay offense stalled out when Nelson was out and forced Cobb to the outside , same will happen to the rookies if they are forced to play outside majority of the time. 

 

[TheRed]

Considering the sample size and how he missed all of 2015, judging him strictly by wins/losses is a pretty shitty way of evaluating a player. This is definitely a fan evaluation.

I agree he needs to step up big this season, but the logic being applied here to tear down his contributions is reminiscent of the logic that has been used to tear down Cam Newton over the years.

[Castavar]

2 minutes ago, sanjay_rajput said:

Well then your still gonna need big body WR to work the outside , the reason we drafted those two because they Compliment Olsen and KB.

Best bet is to go to  2 TE set with CMC & Samuel .

Greenbay offense stalled out when Nelson was out and forced Cobb to the outside , same will happen to the rookies if they are forced to play outside majority of the time. 

 

True. I'm actually hoping Charles Johnson or Fred Ross (yeah I know, slim chance) carves out a role on the outside. Or like you said, we are somehow able to nab Barnidge and run more 2 TE sets with CMC and Samuel working out of the slot and out of the backfield. I'm just getting tired of Funchess and KB hindering our offense. I could see if they were just average, but they are actually a negative on the field.

[thefuzz]

Kelvin is what Kelvin is.

 

He's a large, above average, WR playing as a no. 1, when he would most likely be a no. 2 on other teams.  Olsen takes many of his touches, and CmC and Samuel will take more...at some point.

 

Some of you are being overly critical, he's still young, and had knocks coming out of FSU...the injury came at the worst possible time for him, as he seemed to be coming into form.