Tag Archives: Kelvin Benjamin

Five Wide Receiver Options for the Patriots

Leave a reply

The immediate feeling around the NFL was that Julian Edelman will recover from his thumb injury in time to be healthy for the preseason. However, it now seems like this is not the case. On the bright side, there are a few options at the Wide Receiver position available.

Let’s take a look at five of them right now.

Kelvin Benjamin

Although he had what most would consider to be a down season last year and has played for three teams in the past two years (all three sent him packing), Kelvin Benjamin is still a solid option at the Wide Receiver position. Tom Brady would have a field day with a guy of his stature. His size creates the opportunity for for him to be used as a Receiver or a hybrid Tight End. Perhaps some time in New England would repair Benjamin’s “lazy” reputation.

Mike Wallace

Although he is one of the older options available, Mike Wallace can still put up great numbers when healthy. He is just two years removed from a 72 catch season with the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, Wallace has had only two seasons in which he amassed less than 50 receptions. Wallace and Edelman are also about the same size, so perhaps the Patriots could also use him in a similar role.

Terrance Williams

Terrance Williams is a Wide Receiver that showed some promise while he was with the Dallas Cowboys until last season when he was derailed by a foot injury and a suspension for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. The Patriots wouldn’t lose much by simply inviting him in for a tryout. Williams can easily give a team 50-60 receptions a season, and Edelman is essentially the only pass catcher on the Patriots that can be relied upon for numbers like this. The bottom line is, Tom Brady needs a reliable pass target and Williams is the most cost efficient option available.

Michael Crabtree

If the Patriots are looking for a big play Wide Receiver, Michael Crabtree is the best man for the job. Crabtree is only 31 so he has a few more good years left in him. He might even be the team’s number one receiver once Edelman is healthy. The addition of Crabtree would soften the retirement of Rob Gronkowski (something we’ve already covered).

Brandon LaFell

Before you guys bring up his disastrous 2015 season, let’s look at 2014. In 2014, Brandon LaFell established career highs in almost every category and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. It’s also worth noting that he was hurt in 2015. A reunion would do nothing but good for both sides. The truth is LaFell knows the Patriots offense better than any player on this list and Brady will already trust him. With Edelman on the shelf no Wide Receiver on the roster will have had Tom Brady as their Quarterback. With that being said, bringing back a former Patriot that can still play makes sense. If he plays anything like 2014 or his two years with the Bengals, why not call him?

Benjamin trade leaves Panthers community clueless

Leave a reply

After Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, Panthers fans, and players, are currently in shock. Carolina dealt Wide Receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills, for virtually nothing (3rd and 7th round pick). There is almost no way this trade looks good for the Panthers, these are some reasons why.

Benjamin was a first round pick

In 2014, Carolina selected Benjamin with the 28th pick, in the first round. He was fresh off of winning the NCAA Championship in 2013, at Florida State University. At 6’5”, Benjamin was the tall, primary receiver Carolina needed. His impact on the team was showing great chemistry with Quarterback Cam Newton. As a rookie, Benjamin posted 1,008 yards, and nine touchdowns.

Although his production has been decreasing over the years, due to injury, he was clearly Cam’s number one receiving option at wide receiver. Without Benjamin, the Panthers won a franchise best 15 games in 2015. Cam was missing Benjamin, as the Panthers only put up 10 points on the Denver Broncos in the loss.

Unless the Panthers see some hidden talent in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, a 3rd and 7th round pick seems like a loss. Carolina now has very little depth at the receiver position without Benjamin. They will have to get creative to score the football. If it was not already obvious that Cam was struggling in 2017, it’s hard to imagine he will be able to hide it without Benjamin.

Carolina is not in a rebuilding stage

Halfway through the 2017 NFL season, the Panthers hold a 5-3 record. This is not a Cleveland Browns situation, where they remain without a win on the season. They currently stand a half game behind the New Orleans Saints for first place in their division (NFC South). Carolina has a very good chance of making the playoffs, and will not receive a high first round pick.

The loss of Benjamin will put pressure on the offense to find new ways to score to remain competitive. If Carolina fails to make the playoffs, they will likely end up with a mid-first round pick which is never ideal. You do not usually see a team trade away one of their best players when they are not rebuilding. It is very hard to imagine why Carolina thought it was a good idea to trade away Benjamin for some draft picks that hold little value.

Benjamin trade upsets Carolina’s players

If it was not evident that myself, and most of the Carolina fan base are upset over this trade, take a look at the players. Various teammates of Benjamin have been expressing their thoughts on the trade via Twitter. This is the reaction of several Panthers players:

 

Benjamin’s absence will likely disrupt team chemistry between the players and ownership. Cam no longer has his top option, which is never a recipe for success. If Carolina is able to come out on top of their division, I will be surprised.  We’ll see how the Panthers play this week against the Atlanta Falcons without Benjamin.  Meanwhile, the Bills are even more competitive, and New England better be ready to defend the AFC East crown.