By The Time Camp Ends, Could Kelvin Benjamin Be Giving The Title Of #1 WR To Someone Else?

[Saca312]

Kelvin Benjamin is having a very hot and cold camp. At one moment, Kelvin Benjamin is a monstrous giant, dominating the Panthers corners and bullying them for the ball. At the next, he's lethargic and sloppy, letting defensive backs get the best of him.

Granted, his mother just passed away, and there's no telling how much that would affect one's performance. I don't blame him one bit if that's the case. However, I think it's been an issue since last year concerning whether he should be considered our #1 Wide Receiver or not.

Today, Kelvin Benjamin didn't help his stock much. Bradberry had a field day on Kelvin Benjamin.

On the play seen above, Kelvin Benjamin runs perhaps on of the laziest fade routes I've ever seen a wide receiver run. He comes out and pretty much walks out the rest of the route, and sluggishly turns towards the ball. He didn't really look motivated or interested in getting big and doing much to try and get the ball.

Bradberry comes in and simply makes an easy pass deflection. Sure, the ball was also poorly thrown, but that doesn't excuse Benjamin from running a poo route.

On the next play seen above, Bradberry does a phenomenal job of getting up on Benjamin and getting him even when KB committed an OPI. Kelvin Benjamin, however, shows he couldn't really get much separation nor not draw a flag.

As a guy who was drafted because of his size, it's discouraging to see him play small.

Personally speaking, I don't think Kelvin Benjamin should be our WR1. His metrics show a below average wide receiver in terms of athletic ability. He likely will never run the most crisp routes or get the separation needed as a WR1. Funchess has more potential in that area.

However, Kelvin Benjamin as a big slot/Move TE/red-zone possession receiver would do wonders going forward. If Benjamin was used as the occasional mismatch chess-piece in the right situations, I think he could shine in his own limited role. Cam should not be forcing himself to give Benjamin targets, nor should he really be one of his first two reads. Use Kelvin Benjamin as a size mismatch and don't force feed him, and I think he's a valuable weapon.

Whether Kelvin Benjamin will be used in such a role or not is up for debate. Nevertheless, if Kelvin Benjamin does not show up, another receiver may come in and take his #1 WR spot from him.

 

[Krovvy]

Not unless Olsen switches to wide receiver, it's not happening.

[Adb6368]

Greg Olsen is and will be our #1. KB can be fine as the second option. The fact that we can have 2 1000 yard receivers is a testament to their ability. There aren't too many teams that can say they have 2 players that have a likely chance to get to the thousand yard mark.


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[jumpman910]

You can force feed Funchess but when the lights of the big stage come on he wont produce for you so.... theres that. 

And Kelvin has ALWAYS been an average at best athlete that isn't saying anything new. Being athletic isn't and has never been his game. Actually, him not improving athletically can easily be looked at as the strength and coordinating team not doing their part. I've seen many athletes increase their athletic ability with the proper work and guidance. 

[RoaringRiot]

Are those not the same exact plays in those gifs? Looks like it.

KB is not having a bad camp. Not at all. 

[RoaringRiot]

Hell yeah those are definitely the same play.

[LinvilleGorge]

Remember when people were saying that Funchess may challenge KB for the #1 role last year? Yeah...

Honestly, I think most fans are too obsessed with this idea of a "#1 WR". I don't really care. I just want us to field an NFL caliber WR corps. I swear a lot of Panthers fans think a guy isn't a #1 WR unless he's in the conversation for the best WR in the NFL. There's probably only 5-10 guys at most who would qualify as a #1 WR in the eyes of some of our fans. Maybe Smitty really did spoil us. News flash, folks. It may be decades before we have another WR of that caliber.

[KB_fan]

I'm hoping that once he's in a game environment the adrenaline will start flowing and KB will go out there and make plays.  I'm hating seeing his lackluster performance many days so far.  Wanting to give him some slack to get his head back in the game after dealing with such a tragic personal loss... so, I'm reserving judgment for awhile.

Hopefully Funchess will NOT disappear again in games this season, and that our coaches will be smart in how to use him better.

Maybe who our "WR1" is could vary by game depending on our opponents and their pass coverage / mismatch possibilities.  Do we need to get the ball to someone who is shifty and can get separation (eg Shepard, I'm hoping) or can we take advantage of KB's size & catch radius...

One thing is true, our WR depth chart is still really in flux.  Preseason games are going to be huge at this position.  Who goes out there and shows they want the opportunity through excellent heads up play?

[Saca312]

10 minutes ago, RoaringRiot said:

Are those not the same exact plays in those gifs? Looks like it.

KB is not having a bad camp. Not at all. 

I see the mistake. Put in the wrong GIF for the bottom one. Thanks for speaking up!

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, RoaringRiot said:

Hell yeah those are definitely the same play.

LOL!!!

I appreciate what Saca tries to do, but sometimes he just tries too hard.

[RoaringRiot]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

I think they're different. If I'm not mistaken, the bottom GIF is a different angle of this other GIF from the Panthers highlight reel.

 

No...watch the way the ball leaves KBs hands on both gifs, the way Bradberry's body is positioned, and the way the LB gallops in after the play. It's the same play dawg.

[Saca312]

Just now, RoaringRiot said:

No...watch the way the ball leaves KBs hands on both gifs, the way Bradberry's body is positioned, and the way the LB gallops in after the play. It's the same gif dawg.

I see what I did. I'm not paying attention. I put the wrong GIF in the thread. That's on me.

[uncfan888]

12 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Remember when people were saying that Funchess may challenge KB for the #1 role last year? Yeah...

Honestley, I think most fans are too obsessed with this idea of a "#1 WR". I don't really care. I just want us to field an NFL caliber WR corps. I swear a lot of Panthers fans think a guy isn't a #1 WR unless he's in the conversation for the best WR in the NFL. There's probably only 5-10 guys at most who would qualify as a #1 WR in the eyes of some of our fans. Maybe Smitty really did spoil us. News flash, folks. It may be decades before we have another WR of that caliber.

Completely agree. People expect too much

[csx]

No.