Kelvin Benjamin: The Offensive Rookie Of The Year?

By Evan Massey | Oct 29, 2014

Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) with the ball as Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Carolina Panthers might very well have the NFL‘s Offensive Rookie of the Year on their roster in wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.

Kelvin Benjamin was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and the Carolina Panthers fully expected him to become a star wide receiver. They allowed Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, and Ted Ginn to walk this past offseason and didn’t do much more than draft Benjamin to replace them. Carolina’s offense has struggled a bit this season, but Benjamin hasn’t bee to blame for those struggles.

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Bleacher Report’s Alessandro Miglio believes that Benjamin is the current front-runner to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award this season.

"Benjamin has shaken off all criticism to prove he belonged in the first round. Moreover, he has mitigated Carolina’s exodus of receivers from the past offseason. Simply put, Benjamin is the front-runner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. That is if Sammy Watkins doesn’t catch him."

So far this season in eight games, Benjamin has caught 38 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns. He has made some amazing catches, and has shown the hands, athleticism, and work ethic that are required to make a very special player.

At 6’5″ and 240 pounds, Benjamin is an absolute nightmare for opposing players to defend against. He has all the physical tools to become a superstar wide receiver, but needs to continue working hard and learning from his coaches. The Panthers are extremely excited about his future, and he has responded very well to being thrown into the action immedaitely.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Benjamin end up winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award this season with the way that he has played so far. The Panthers really don’t have any other true number one options, which means that Benjamin will continue to see large numbers of targets. Expect him to continue playing at a high level, and be very much in the race for the award at the seasons end.

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