Kelvin Benjamin
No. 13, 81 | |||
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Position: | Wide receiver | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Belle Glade, Florida, U.S. | February 5, 1991||
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 (2011–2013) | ||
NFL draft: | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28 | ||
Career history | |||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Career NFL statistics | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Kelvin Benjamin (born February 5, 1991) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
After totaling over 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season, Benjamin missed his sophomore year with a
Early years
Born and raised in
Regarded as a four-star recruit by
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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN grade: 80 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 23 (WR) Rivals: 8 (WR), 60 (National), 16 (FL) | ||||||
Sources:
|
College career
After being
Professional career
Pre-draft
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.[14][15] Benjamin's size, physicality, and high-pointing ability drew parallels to players including Alshon Jeffery and Plaxico Burress.[16][17] 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.[18][19][20] 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.[21][22]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | 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 | 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) |
9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) |
13 reps | 7[23] |
All values from |
Carolina Panthers
2014
After losing
During his debut performance on September 7, 2014, against the
With a touchdown reception against the
In the Panthers Week 8 matchup against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, Benjamin racked up 94 yards against the All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.[38] Benjamin finished the season with 73 receptions, 1,008 receiving yards, and nine receiving touchdowns.[39] 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.[40] Benjamin became only the 11th rookie wide receiver in NFL history to record a 1,000-yard season.[41] During the Panthers playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, Benjamin recorded seven catches for 75 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[42]
2015 season
Benjamin tore his ACL in a joint training camp practice with the Miami Dolphins, ending his 2015 season.[43]
2016 season
After missing the whole 2015 season with a
2017 season
On May 2, 2017, the Panthers exercised Benjamin's fifth-year option.[48][49]
Buffalo Bills
2017 season
On October 31, 2017, the Panthers traded Benjamin to the
2018 season
On December 4, 2018, Benjamin was released by the Bills. He finished the season playing in 12 games, starting 10, recording 23 receptions for 354 yards and just one touchdown.[55] Prior to his release Benjamin had a catch rate of 35 percent, the worst in the league.[56] It was also noted by fans and sports commentators that his effort had noticeably declined.[57][58][59]
Kansas City Chiefs
Two days after being released by the Bills, Benjamin signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.[60] Benjamin made just two catches in three regular season games with the team, and did not appear in their two playoff games.[61]
New York Giants
Benjamin signed with the
NFL career statistics
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2014 | CAR | 16 | 15 | 73 | 1,008 | 13.8 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
2015 | CAR | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | ||||||
2016 | CAR | 16 | 13 | 63 | 941 | 14.9 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
2017 | CAR | 8 | 8 | 32 | 475 | 14.8 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
BUF | 6 | 6 | 16 | 217 | 13.7 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
2018 | BUF | 12 | 10 | 23 | 354 | 15.4 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
KC | 3 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 61 | 52 | 209 | 3,021 | 14.5 | 51 | 20 | 2 | 2 |
Postseason
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2014 | CAR | 2 | 2 | 11 | 108 | 9.8 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | CAR | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | ||||||
2017 | BUF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | KC | 0 | 0 | Did not play | ||||||
Total | 3 | 3 | 12 | 117 | 9.8 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career accomplishments
Panthers franchise records
As of 2017[update]'s NFL off-season, Benjamin held at least ten Panthers franchise records, including:
- Receiving yards: rookie season (1,008 in 2014)[66]
- Receiving touchdowns: playoff game (Two on January 10, 2015, at the Seattle Seahawks; with Steve Smith Sr.)[67]
- Receiving touchdowns: rookie season (nine in 2014)[68]
- Receiving yards per game: rookie season (63.0 in 2014)[69]
- Total touchdowns: playoff game (Two on January 10, 2015, at the Seattle Seahawks; with Steve Smith Sr. ×2, Jonathan Stewart, and Cam Newton)[70]
- 100+ yard receiving games: rookie season (3)[71]
References
- ^ Fairburn, Matthew (June 21, 2018). "Kelvin Benjamin has escaped—but not forgotten—Muck City". The Athletic. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Fedotin, Jeff (September 11, 2018). "It's All About The Benjamins: 2 NFL WRs Share Plenty Including 'Muck City' Roots". ThePostGame.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Florida State Seminoles Official Athletic Site". Florida State Seminoles. December 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "FHSAA 2A District 13 - Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Burger King/Glades Central Invitational - Complete Results (Raw)". flrunners.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015.
- ^ Greer, Jeff (January 8, 2011). "Glades Central wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin commits to Florida State". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Mellor, Brandon (June 17, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin an 'intriguing redshirt freshman'". Florida State Seminoles. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Bishop, Greg (January 7, 2014). "Florida State Wins With Auburn-Like Comeback". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Sonnone, Brendan (January 1, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin gives FSU sizable edge in passing game". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "BCS hero Benjamin leaving FSU for draft". ESPN.com. January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Rundlett, Crawford (March 7, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin, from Tallahassee with love". Cat Scratch Reader. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Tucker, Tim (April 28, 2009). "Asher Allen ignored NFL projection". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014.
- ^ McCrystal, Ryan (February 10, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Panthers WR". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kelvin Benjamin". WalterFootball.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
- ^ "*Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Florida State - 2014 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football". NFL Draft Scout. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Burke, Chris (January 2, 2014). "NFL draft 2014 top 10 WRs: Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, more". SI.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014.
- ^ D'Angelo, Tom (December 3, 2013). "NFL draft stock rising for FSU's Kelvin Benjamin, who could come out early". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Ferrari-King, Giancarlo (September 19, 2014). "Meet Cam Newton's Best Friend: Rookie Wide Receiver Kelvin Benjamin". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Alper, Josh (May 9, 2014). "Panthers hope Kelvin Benjamin is their blue goose at No. 28". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "Historical NFL Wonderlic Scores". Wonderlic Test Sample. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Profile: Kelvin Benjamin". NFL.com.
- ^ "*Kelvin Benjamin - Florida State, WR : 2014 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". www.nfldraftscout.com.
- ^ Lapan, Matthew (March 23, 2014). "FSU Pro Day: Kelvin Benjamin". Browns Draft Game. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
- ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Alper, Josh (May 21, 2014). "Dave Gettleman: Watching Kelvin Benjamin reminded me of a young Plaxico Burress". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Breech, John (June 4, 2014). "Panthers sign first-round pick WR Kelvin Benjamin". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Gould, Andrew (September 11, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin Is Must-Own Fantasy Wideout After Stellar Week 1 Debut". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Newton, David (September 5, 2014). "Benjamin could buck trend of rookie WRs". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Newton, David (September 8, 2014). "Just another catch? Kelvin Benjamin much more than that for Panthers". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
- ^ "You helped make it happen #PantherNation! WR @KBREDZONE has been voted @pepsi Rookie of the Week!pic.twitter.com/eeXu7P8muH". Twitter.com. Carolina Panthers.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers - September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Liu, Randall (September 29, 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". Twitter.com.
- ^ Stuart, Chase (September 30, 2014). "Leading the League? They're Dominating It So Far". The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (October 2, 2014). "Kelvin Benjamin named NFL offensive rookie of month". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Honeycutt, Jordan (October 29, 2014). "Column: The catchable case of Kelvin Benjamin". New Bern Sun Journal. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Carolina Panthers Single-Season Receiving Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Somma, Vinny (May 13, 2021). "Ex-First Rounder, 1,000-Yard WR to Attempt NFL Comeback With Giants: Report". Heavy.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Divisional Round - Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks - January 10th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos - September 8th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers - September 18th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "2016 Carolina Panthers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Voth, Bill (May 2, 2017). "Panthers exercise Kelvin Benjamin's fifth-year option". Panthers.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (August 25, 2017). "Panthers rave over 'unbelievable' Kelvin Benjamin". NFL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (October 31, 2017). "Panthers trade wideout Kelvin Benjamin to Bills". NFL.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Taranto, Steven (December 10, 2017). "Kelvin Benjamin catches touchdown in driving snow". 247Sports. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Wells, Adam (December 10, 2017). "Kelvin Benjamin Being Evaluated for Knee Injury Suffered vs. Colts". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Rodak, Mike (December 24, 2017). "Controversial replay overturns apparent Kelvin Benjamin touchdown". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ "Kelvin Benjamin 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Chris (December 4, 2018). "Bills release WR Kelvin Benjamin in a series of roster moves". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Miller, Ryan C. (December 2, 2018). "Is Kelvin Benjamin the worst receiver in the NFL? This stat says yes". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Ruiz, Stephen (October 14, 2018). "One tweet that perfectly sums up Kelvin Benjamin's disappointing career". For The Win. USA Today Sports. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Talbot, Ryan (November 12, 2018). "Get rid of him! Buffalo Bills fans ready to move on from Kelvin Benjamin for lack of effort". New York Upstate. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Fernandez, Gabe (December 4, 2018). "Bills Release Kelvin Benjamin To Shed Dead Weight Off Roster". Deadspin. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Knoblauch, Austin (December 6, 2018). "Kelvin Benjamin signs one-year deal with Chiefs". NFL.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Oleszczak, Leigh (January 26, 2019). "Kansas City Chiefs: Kelvin Benjamin signing didn't go according to plan". KC Kingdom. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Eisen, Michael (May 16, 2021). "Giants sign WR Kelvin Benjamin, RB Corey Clement". Giants.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
- ^ Fennelly, John (June 28, 2021). "Giants' Levine Toilolo: Tight End University was 'something special'". Giants Wire. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ Eisen, Michael (July 28, 2021). "Giants release tight end Kelvin Benjamin". Giants.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Tyler (July 29, 2021). "Kelvin Benjamin rips Joe Judge following his release from the Giants, claims tenure with New York was 'a hoax'". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ "Most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Most receiving touchdowns in a playoff game, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Most receiving touchdowns in a single season by a rookie, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Most receiving yards per game in a single season by a rookie, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Most total touchdowns in a playoff game, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Player with the most games with at least 100 receiving yards in a rookie season, Carolina Panthers". StatMuse. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Pro Football Reference
- Florida State Seminoles bio