There has been much debate on Kelvin Benjamin, wide receiver from Florida State. Some say he is not worth taking in the first or even the second round, whereas some (like myself) believe he is absolutely worth taking not only in the first round, but the top 20.
Another who has been up for debate is Mike Evans, wide receiver from Texas A&M. Both are similar, yet both are very different. Comparing the two, however, may separate the two of them, based on what you see in a wide receiver prospect.
Size
Kelvin Benjamin 6’5 234 pounds.
Mike Evans 6’5 225 pounds
While just nine pounds separate them, Benjamin looks to be the thicker of the two players. Now, Mike Evans is only twenty years old, he will be able to put on some weight, but will that mean he loses a step? We will see.
Speed
Both have been, and will be knocked for their speed. Some will say each of them are too slow.
Benjamin should run in the 4.45 to 4.55 range, and Evans will be in the same deviation.
But that is extremely quick considering their size. By comparison, Kelvin Benjamin beat multiple corners on deep balls this season, including Florida’s Louchiez Purifoy, who is said to be one of the fastest players in the SEC.
Mike Evans against Alabama showed just how good he can be, and he had one touchdown where he ran away from the Alabama defense. Speed is not an issue with either one of these players.
Hands
This is where the two begin to separate. Kelvin Benjamin has made some incredible catches, especially in the air. But he seems to have a bad drop quite often. Fortunately, this is a fixable issue, but bothersome nevertheless. Mike Evans has one of the strongest pairs of hands in college football, and does not have an issue dropping the ball. Evans can also go up and get the ball, and come down with it just as easily.
Athleticism
Kelvin Benjamin is miles better in just one category, athleticism. At his size, jumping should not be something that is a strength. That is the scariest part about him if you want to stop him. At 6’5 and 234 pounds, he has the ability to jump at least three feet in the air at any given moment. Earlier this season, Benjamin caught a touchdown with his hands fully extended. The ball trajectory was higher than the crossbar, which is ten feet in the air. In addition, Benjamin has been seen making diving catches, and moves very well in terms of flexibility for his size. In the national championship game, he dove for a ball and caught it with his fingertips in an effortless fashion. This athleticism helps in the red zone, an area where Benjamin in unstoppable.
Route Running
Evans had the edge here, but with Kelvin Benjamin drastically improving this season, it is not as much a difference as some may think.
Both need work in this department, but what benefits them is their size, which can mask some bad routes.
Sometimes, Benjamin does what is called turning into a curl route, which takes away the deception.
With good coaching, both players will be a lot better in this department. Evans is tough to grade on route running because a lot of his plays are results of improvisation.
After the Catch
In today’s NFL, this is such a big trait for a wide receiver to have. You watch some players catch the ball, but then do not advance, or go right to the ground. Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin possess a great deal of talent in this area. While Evans may have the edge, Benjamin is right behind him. Both have trademarked plays that many will point out. Mike Evans’ was a stiff-arm and run against Alabama, and Kelvin Benjamin’s was against Florida, where he broke four tackles en route to the endzone.
Grade
Kelvin Benjamin: Top 20
Mike Evans: Top 15
If both were the same age, Kelvin Benjamin would be a lock for a top ten pick, and likely would be the first receiver drafted, but without a doubt, Mike Evans at 20 years old is a tough thing to pass up. If I were a general manager, I would take Evans to start an offense around, but if I already have a good team in place, Kelvin Benjamin can be that one piece for a team to get to the promised land.