Panthers Draft Kelvin Benjamin

With the 28th pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin out of Florida State.

Benjamin had been projected as one of the top receivers in the draft, along with Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, and Marqise Lee. Many mock drafts had these other four receivers going ahead of Benjamin, with Benjamin falling to Carolina at 28.

With the Buffalo Bills taking Watkins, the Buccaneers taking Evans, and the Saints taking Cooks, the two receivers left when Carolina's pick came around were Lee and Benjamin. Along with these two were Morgan Moses and Cyrus Kouandjio, two offensive tackles who some, including myself, had projected may go to Carolina. (Surprisingly, none of the other three were taken in the first round.)

However, after being on the clock for only 30 second, the Panthers knew who they wanted. Roger Goodell walked up to the podium on stage and announced that the Panthers had drafted Kelvin Benjamin.

The addition of Benjamin was at first a little confusing, considering the players available to Carolina. However, after thinking on it, I realized that Benjamin will be a great fit in Carolina and eventually become the number one receiver.

At 6'5" and 240 pounds, Benjamin's biggest advantage is obviously his size. Many have criticized his speed, but his size more than makes up for it.

I'm extremely excited to see Carolina's red-zone offense this season. Having Cam Newton and Mike Tolbert who can run the ball up the middle with lots of power is already a great advantage, but now the Panthers have a guy who can go up and get it if Cam lobs it into the end-zone. Along with tight ends Greg Olsen and Eric Dickson, the red-zone offense could be extremely dangerous.

All in all, picking up Benjamin was a good decision. Now, expect Carolina to focus on the offensive line and the cornerback position for the rest of the draft.