Kelvin Benjamin

Kelvin Benjamin
refer to caption
Benjamin with the Carolina Panthers in 2014
No. 13 – Buffalo Bills
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1991-02-05) February 5, 1991
Belle Glade, Florida
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Glades Central
(Belle Glade, Florida)
College: Florida State
NFL Draft: 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 2, 2018
Receptions: 187
Receiving yards: 2,670
Receiving touchdowns: 20
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Kelvin Shawon Benjamin (born February 5, 1991) is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Early years

Benjamin attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida, where he played football, basketball and ran track. In football, he played as a wide receiver. He was named First Team All-Palm Beach County by Sun-Sentinel and was selected to the Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team. As a senior, he hauled in 30 catches for 551 yards with six touchdowns, although he just played in eight games.[1] In track & field, Benjamin competed in the jumping events. He got a personal-best jump of 1.84 meters in the high jump at the 2009 FHSAA 2A District 13, where he tied for third place.[2] At the 2010 Glades Central Invitational, he took gold in the long jump event, recording a career-best leap of 6.48 meters.[3] He was deemed ineligible in his senior year in high school due to his age, graduating high school at 20 years of age.

Recruiting

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Benjamin was ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver and the No. 60 overall player nationally in his class. Scout.com ranked him as the No. 12 receiver in the nation, while ESPN.com had him as the No. 23. According to 247Sports.com, he was the No. 13 wide receiver and the No. 89 player nationally. He chose Florida State University over scholarship offers from Auburn, Florida, Miami (FL), and Virginia Tech, among others.[4]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Kelvin Benjamin
WR		 Belle Glade, Florida Glades Central High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.60 Jan 9, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 23 (WR)   Rivals: 8 (WR), 60 (National), 16 (FL)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2011 Florida State Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  • "2011 Florida State Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

    College career

    After being redshirted in 2011, Benjamin played in all 14 games in 2012, recording 30 receptions for 495 yards and four touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 54 receptions for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown against Auburn in the BCS title game with 13 seconds remaining.[5][6] Sports Illustrated named Benjamin to their All-American first team and he was also selected to the All-ACC Second Team by the coaches and All-ACC Third Team by media.[1] After the season, Benjamin decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2014 NFL Draft.[7]

    Professional career

    Despite forgoing two years of eligibility, Benjamin was still given a first round grade by the NFL Draft Advisory Board, which is typically conservative with underclassmen draft entrants, and was widely considered one of the top wide receivers in the 2014 NFL Draft.[8][9] Benjamin's size, speed, physicality, and high-pointing ability drew parallels to players including Alshon Jeffery and Plaxico Burress.[10][11] While many scouts were concerned about his hands and a current lack of precise route running at this point, many projected him as a first-round pick due to his potential.[12][13][14] Benjamin was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 28th pick of the first round. NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock praised the Panthers selection of Benjamin after it occurred. "He's 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with 35-inch arms, and you're talking about a catching radius." Mayock then went on to compare Benjamin to other college wide receivers that only had one year of college production. "However, there's one thing about wide receivers with only one year of college production (like Benjamin at FSU) and it's a little sobering when you look at the names on that list: Stephen Hill, Greg Little, Devin Thomas, Anthony Gonzalez," Mayock said.[15][16]

    Pre-draft measurables
    Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP Wonderlic
    6 ft 5 in
    (1.96 m)    		 240 lb
    (109 kg)    		 34 7⁄8 in
    (0.89 m)    		 10 1⁄4 in
    (0.26 m)    		 4.61 s 1.65 s 2.63 s 4.39 s 7.33 s 33 in
    (0.84 m)    		 9 ft 11 in
    (3.02 m)    		 13 reps 7[17]
    All values from NFL Combine[18] or Florida State Pro Day[19][20]

    Carolina Panthers

    Benjamin playing against the Baltimore Ravens in 2014.

    2014: rookie season

    After losing Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn, and Domenik Hixon in the offseason, the Panthers chose Benjamin high in the draft. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said to reporters Benjamin's tape reminded him of a young Plaxico Burress.[21] During training camp and the preseason, Benjamin was in a competition for the Panthers No. 1 receiver spot with former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. On June 4, 2014, Benjamin signed a four-year $7.66 million deal.[22] During his debut performance on September 7, 2014 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Benjamin recorded 6 receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown; quarterback Derek Anderson had a 152.1 quarterback rating when throwing towards Benjamin.[23][24] With his touchdown reception, Benjamin joined Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, AJ Green, Demaryius Thomas, Percy Harvin, Brandin Cooks, and Mike Williams as the only rookie first round wide receivers to catch a touchdown reception during their debut performance.[25] Additionally, Benjamin's 92 yards were the seventh-most for a wide receiver in the first game of his rookie season behind Anquan Boldin, Randy Moss, Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas, and Allen Hurns.[26] Kelvin Benjamin was voted the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his week 1 performance.[27] In a week 2 win over the Detroit Lions, Benjamin recorded 2 catches for 46 yards.[28] In week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Benjamin recorded his first 100-yard game, catching 8 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown.[29] Through the first three weeks of the season, Benjamin was targeted seven times in the deep passing game (20+ yards), tied for sixth in the league.[30] Additionally, during this span, ProFootball Focus ranked Benjamin 22nd in the NFL in receiving efficiency.[31] During week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, Benjamin recorded 5 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.[28] With the touchdown reception, Benjamin became the only rookie wide receiver in the past 10 years to record a 25+ yard receiving touchdown in three of the team’s first four games, joining Randy Moss, who accomplished the feat in 1998.[32] Further, Benjamin and Marques Colston were the only rookies in 30 years to gain 300 receiving yards and catch three touchdown passes in his team’s first four games.[33] On October 2, 2014, it was announced that the NFL named Kelvin Benjamin the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September.[34] In the Panthers week 8 matchup against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, Benjamin racked up 94 yards against the All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, the highest yardage total Sherman allowed since Week 4 of 2012.[35] Benjamin finished the season with 73 receptions, 1,008 yards receiving, and 9 touchdowns. He and teammate Greg Olsen became the first receiving duo to amass 1,000 receiving yards in the same year for the Panthers since Muhsin Muhammad and Patrick Jeffers in 1999. Benjamin became only the 11th rookie wide receiver in NFL history to record a 1,000 yard season. During the Panthers playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Benjamin recorded 7 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.[28]

    2015 season

    Benjamin came into training in the best shape of his football career, according to Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.[36] In August, Benjamin tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins,[37] ending his 2015 season. The Panthers placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Without Benjamin, the Panthers won 15 games, which set a franchise record.

    On February 7, 2016, Benjamin's Panthers played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[38]

    2016 season

    After missing all of the 2015 season with a torn ACL, Benjamin returned in the season opener game against the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. Benjamin had 6 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in his return at Denver, and followed that with seven receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. He had no receptions in week three, and though he caught a pass in every remaining game that season, his yardage totals were erratic and never again broke 100. Nevertheless, he ended the season leading the team with seven touchdown receptions, and second to tight end Greg Olsen with 63 receptions for 941 yards.

    2017 season

    On May 2, the Panthers exercised Benjamin's fifth-year option.[39][40]

    Buffalo Bills

    Benjamin signing an autograph at Bills training camp in August 2018.

    On October 31, 2017, the Panthers traded Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills for a 2018 third and the seventh round draft pick that was previously acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers.[41] Benjamin suffered a torn meniscus in the right knee against the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury sidelined Benjamin for two weeks. Upon returning against the Indianapolis Colts, Benjamin scored his first touchdown with the Bills, an 8-yard pass from Nathan Peterman. However, he tweaked his injured knee in the third quarter and left the game afterwards.[42][43] Against the New England Patriots in week 16, Benjamin had a touchdown catch overturned due to a controversial ruling. He finished the game with 5 receptions for 70 yards, but the Bills wound up losing 37-16.[44]

    Career statistics

    Regular season

    YearTeamGPGSReceivingFumbles
    RecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
    2014CAR 1616731,00813.851911
    2015CAR Did not play due to injury
    2016CAR 16136394114.950711
    2017 CAR 883247514.843200
    BUF 661621713.635100
    Total46431842,64114.4511922

    Postseason

    YearTeamGPGSReceivingFumbles
    RecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
    2014CAR 22111089.828200
    2015CAR Did not play due to injury
    2017BUF 11199.09000
    Total33121179.828200

    Career accomplishments

    Panthers franchise records

    As of 2017's NFL off-season, Benjamin held at least 10 Panthers franchise records, including:

    • Receptions: rookie season (73 in 2014), rookie game (9 on 2014-11-16 ATL)
    • Receiving Yds: rookie season (1,008 in 2014)
    • Receiving TDs: playoff game (2 on 2015-01-10 @SEA; with Steve Smith Sr.), rookie season (9 in 2014), rookie game (2 on 2015-01-10 @SEA; with David Gettis)
    • Rec Yds/Game: rookie season (63.0 in 2014)
    • Total TDs: playoff game (2 on 2015-01-10 @SEA; with Steve Smith Sr. ×2, Jonathan Stewart, and Cam Newton)
    • Yds from Scrimmage: rookie season (1,008 in 2014)
    • 100+ yard receiving games: rookie season (3)

    NFL awards

    • Diet Pepsi rookie of the week (week 1, 2014)
    • Rookie of the month (September 2014)

    References

    1. 1 2 "Florida State Seminoles Official Athletic Site". Florida State Seminoles.
    2. ↑ "FHSAA 2A District 13 - Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net.
    3. ↑ "Burger King/Glades Central Invitational - Complete Results (Raw)".
    4. ↑ "Rivals.com". sports.yahoo.com.
    5. ↑ "FSU WR Kelvin Benjamin's size can create problems for Auburn's secondary".
    6. ↑ "Kelvin Benjamin gives FSU sizable edge in passing game".
    7. ↑ "BCS hero Benjamin leaving FSU for draft".
    8. ↑ "Seminoles' BCS hero Kelvin Benjamin enters NFL draft".
    9. ↑ "Not Found". Archived from the original on 2014-09-07.
    10. ↑ ", , , NCAA College Football - CBSSports.com".
    11. ↑ "WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kelvin Benjamin". walterfootball.com.
    12. ↑ "- , : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". www.nfldraftscout.com.
    13. ↑ "NFL draft 2014 top 10 WRs: Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, more". Archived from the original on 2014-01-04.
    14. ↑ "NFL draft stock rising for FSU's Kelvin Benjamin, who could come out early".
    15. ↑ "2014 NFL Draft Profile: Kelvin Benjamin". NFL.com.
    16. ↑ "Panthers hope Kelvin Benjamin is their blue goose at No. 28". 9 May 2014.
    17. ↑ "Historical NFL Wonderlic Scores". wonderlictestsample.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
    18. ↑ "2014 NFL Draft Profile: Kelvin Benjamin". NFL.com.
    19. ↑ "*Kelvin Benjamin - Florida State, WR : 2014 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". www.nfldraftscout.com.
    20. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
    21. ↑ "Dave Gettleman: Watching Kelvin Benjamin reminded me of a young Plaxico Burress". 21 May 2014.
    22. ↑ "Recent news on Kelvin Benjamin - Carolina Panthers - Rotoworld.com". www.rotoworld.com.
    23. ↑ Sweet, Tyson. "Carolina Panthers' Defense, Kelvin Benjamin Impressive In Week 1". www.rantsports.com.
    24. ↑ "News and Analysis for NFL and Fantasy Football - Pro Football Focus". www.profootballfocus.com.
    25. ↑ "Benjamin could buck trend of rookie WRs".
    26. ↑ "Just another catch? Kelvin Benjamin much more than that for Panthers". ESPN.com. 8 September 2014.
    27. ↑ Panthers, Carolina. "You helped make it happen #PantherNation! WR @KBREDZONE has been voted @pepsi Rookie of the Week!pic.twitter.com/eeXu7P8muH".
    28. 1 2 3 "Kelvin Benjamin". ESPN.com.
    29. ↑ "Kelvin Benjamin - Carolina Panthers - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com". www.rotoworld.com.
    30. ↑ "News and Analysis for NFL and Fantasy Football - Pro Football Focus". www.profootballfocus.com.
    31. ↑ ODonnell, Sean. "Kelvin Benjamin Will Continue Fantasy Tear in Week 4 vs. Ravens".
    32. ↑ Liu, Randall (29 September 2014). ".@Panthers Kelvin Benjamin is only @NFL rookie in past 10 years w/ 25+ yard rec TD in 3 of team's 1st 4 games".
    33. ↑ Stuart, Chase (30 September 2014). "Leading the League? They're Dominating It So Far" – via www.nytimes.com.
    34. ↑ "Kelvin Benjamin named NFL offensive rookie of month". 2 October 2014.
    35. ↑ "News and Analysis for NFL and Fantasy Football - Pro Football Focus". www.profootballfocus.com.
    36. ↑ "Panthers' Ron Rivera: Kelvin Benjamin in 'tremendous shape'".
    37. ↑ Newton, David (August 19, 2015). "Kelvin Benjamin will miss the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL in his left knee". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
    38. ↑ "Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
    39. ↑ Voth, Bill (May 2, 2017). "Panthers exercise Kelvin Benjamin's fifth-year option". Panthers.com.
    40. ↑ Sessler, Marc. "Panthers rave over 'unbelievable' Kelvin Benjamin". NFL. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
    41. ↑ Patra, Kevin (October 31, 2017). "Panthers trade wideout Kelvin Benjamin to Bills". NFL.com.
    42. ↑ Taranto, Steven (December 10, 2017). "Kelvin Benjamin catches touchdown in driving snow". 247Sports.
    43. ↑ Wells, Adam (December 10, 2017). "Kelvin Benjamin Being Evaluated for Knee Injury Suffered vs. Colts". Bleacher Report.
    44. ↑ Rodak, Mike (December 24, 2017). "Controversial replay overturns apparent Kelvin Benjamin touchdown". ESPN.com.
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