Former Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin seems to be fitting in with the Carolina Panthers quite nicely. At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Benjamin has the type of body that can make him incredibly difficult for even NFL defensive backs to cover. Carolina is apparently getting a first-hand look at that in practice.
Benjamin, who scored 15 touchdowns for the Seminoles last year, made an impressive 29-yard touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason opener. According to David Newton of ESPN.com, he has also made a number of acrobatic catches during training camp.
Benjamin knows he has massive shoes to fill in the wake of Steve Smith’s departure, but he sounds up to the challenge.
“I grew up watching Steve Smith, so I knew a lot about him,” he said. “I knew he was the franchise’s leading receiver here. It’s unfortunate that he’s gone now, but I’m going to try to come in and make my mark.”
With the Panthers having lost Smith and Brandon LaFell, there is some concern that Cam Newton will have no one to throw to. But between tight end Greg Olsen, veteran wideout Jerricho Cotchery and Benjamin, Newton should have plenty of big bodies to target in red zone situations and when looking to move the chains.
As Rotoworld noted, Benjamin’s average draft position (ADP) in fantasy football has been climbing steadily throughout the offseason. If for nothing other than touchdown potential, he is a player to target in the late rounds of your drafts.
