I’ve seen the grumblings about Benjamin. Some question whether he will ever be a true #1 receiver, what his role will be in the offense and his limitations in certain phases of the game. Yet none of that would justify not bringing the massive WR back for a 5th season.
Benjamin, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2014, is now under contract through the 2018 season. Last year, Benjamin played all 16 games and posted 63 receptions for 941 yards and a team-high seven touchdown catches.
“We’re really fired up with the way Kelvin finished up the year,” Gettleman said.
Plus he’s somewhat of a bargain. Benjamin will cost the Panthers just under $8M in 2018, not a bad deal for a WR that could register double digit TD receptions in 2018.
More importantly, Panthers GM Dave Gettleman is enamored with Benjamin after his strong play down the stretch. Case in point:
Benjamin likely will never be a 1,500-yard receiver like Julio Jones. He doesn’t have the speed to consistently create separation in space.
But Benjamin’s build and bulk make him an ideal red-zone target for Cam Newton. With his length and reach, Benjamin is open on fade routes even when there’s a defensive back hanging on him.
Gettleman had a field-level view for one of those catches in a Week 17 loss at Tampa Bay. After Benjamin had left his press-box perch, Benjamin skied for a 47-yard catch and run that set up a score (a Benjamin 5-yard TD) that pulled the Panthers to 17-16.
“Cam throws the ball and I’m saying to myself, ‘Who the hell is he throwing that to?’” Gettleman recalled. “And all of a sudden I see him jump. And it’s like, ‘Holy ....’”
I’m pretty sure the play Getts is referring too is at the 4:30 mark of this game highlight video. I will warn you though if you watch it. It’s an ugly reminder of how poorly QB Cam Newton played yet the Panthers still had a chance to win it at the end.
In the season finale Benjamin accounted for 65 of the 74 total yards on the Panthers final TD drive. It was just the type of crunch time big plays we’ve been waiting for from the big WR all season. Benjamin’s 5 yard TD catch to cap the drive is a prime example of how imposing he is in the red zone. He boxes out the CB so effectively the fact Newton threw the ball to the inside shoulder was no consequence. Benjamin made it look easy.
Let’s not forget that after missing the entire 2015 season to an ACL tear, Benjamin started the 2016 season on fire, putting up 199 yards and 3 scores in the first two games. OC Mike Shula seemed to forget about Newtons favorite weapon over the next couple of games. Benjamin tweaked his shoulder later in the season and never looked himself until the final two games.
It’s the offseason so it’s all about feeling good about the next season. I think having a healthy Kelvin Benjamin lined up outside is something to feel real good about.