With the 28th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft the Carolina Panthers selected Kelvin Benjamin out of Florida State. A huge receiver, this is Noled Out’s breakdown of him:
KELVIN BENJAMIN – A 23-year-old redshirt sophomore signed in the #1 ranked recruiting class of 2011, Benjamin was extremely raw coming out of high school, not much more than an unskilled but athletic kid with mammoth potential. During his three years in Tallahassee, Benjamin put in the work that led to him being arguably the best receiver in college football during the final two months of the 2013 season which Benjamin culminated with the “Crystal Catch” that won the 2014 BCS National Championship. The sky is the future for him, and as such Benjamin will probably hear his name called on Thursday night. At 6’5″ and 240 pounds with a monstrous 83″ wingspan, KB possesses TE size with a pterodactyl-ish catch radius and good but not elite speed. His acceleration is what’s lacking, but when he gets going, his long strides eat up hashes in a blur, sometimes getting behind defensive backs with deceptive ease. He has elite body control, freakish for his size even, and has the size and strength to physically beat smaller cornerbacks (they are all smaller than him). His technical skill-set is at times inconsistent: he will make the spectacular catch and then drop several easy passes. He high-points the ball well and will go up and get it but has a tendency to jump early. His route tree could use some work but will go over the middle and make tough catches. He will deliver a crushing crack-back block only to whiff or give up on a block early a couple plays later. It’s clear this is a player who is still learning the position and should only get better.
NFL comparison – A slower Calvin Johnson
Draft Prediction – 1st Round Pick 28 – Carolina Panthers
Not to toot our own horn, but that’s quite the prediction! It gives Florida State four 1st Round picks in the last two NFL Drafts and 40 all-time. Kelvin was last seen securing the catch that won the 2013 BCS title and has come a long way from his days in Belle Glade in South Florida. Benjamin never stopped working to get better at Florida State and all of his hard work paid off for him. We salute a great ‘Nole and wish him all the best in the pros.
