College: Florida State
Height: 6’5
Weight: 234
Class: RS Sophomore
College Stats | Year | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
| 2012 | 30 | 495 | 16.5 | 4 |
| 2013 | 50 | 957 | 19.1 | 14 |
Positives
Playmaking Ability: Benjamin averaged nearly 20 yards per reception this season. He also caught more than one-fourth of his catches for touchdowns, totaling 14 touchdown receptions which is tied for fourth in all of division one.
Being on one of the most talented football teams in the country, Benjamin had many playmakers around him in the likes of Kenny Shaw, Christian Green, and Nick O’Leary.
As well as other play makers in the receiving core, Florida State had a very fluid rushing attack with names of Devonta Freeman, James Wilder JR., and Karlos Williams. With much talent around him, Benjamin’s stats are not as high as they could be because of not being targeting as a true number one receiver like Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.
Other than his stat line, Benjamin has the ability to produce the big catches that make scouts drool over and really show his potential.
With his height, Benjamin is very good at getting to high peak points to get catches above cornerbacks in the endzone.
He also has great instincts to come back to the ball and follow the quarterback when he is on the run. Another area in which Benjamin is very good at is adjusting his body to make a catch. Benjamin can fade his body to locate a ball that is thrown behind him.
Size with Athletic Ability: Benjamin is a huge threat for defensive coordinators to work with due to his size and athleticism. He is listed at 6’5 that towers over many cornerbacks.
With the advantage of his height, he has speed that will most likely clock him in at a 4.5-4.6 forty time at the combine. With in-game action, Benjamin has the ability to beat cornerbacks downfield and at times draw safeties toward him that open up one-on-one coverage with other wide receivers.
Benjamin can also break tackles as shown in the “Swamp” as he broke many tackles that game to find his way to the end zone, and many could say Florida has the best secondary in college football with the names of Loucheiz Purifoy, Marcus Roberson, Jaylen Watkins, and Vernon Hargreaves. With his size and speed, Benjamin is a nightmare for defensive backs to bring down.
Negatives
Raw: Benjamin is still a very young raw product that has some improving to do. He has had a problem with dropping balls but has recently improved in the 2013 campaign. Benjamin is a lot better at catching deep balls and has problems catching fast balls while running a slant route. He has also improved in route running. At times, Benjamin can get lazy as a route runner and could still improve on quicker and sharper routes.
NFL Comparison
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
Like Benjamin, Jeffery was not a huge producer in his college years. Although, in Jeffery’s 2010 season, he did put up some impressive numbers as he hauled in 88 catches for 1517 yards, and nine touchdowns.
However, the following year, Jeffery had a disappointing season in lower stat totals and scouts questioning him as a prospect.
As some would remember, had a problem where he put on some weight in his 2011 season and some marked him as lazy and a risky pick because of that and some lowered him on their big board.
Furthermore, Jeffery was also a big wide receiver prospect coming out of South Carolina that could make big plays for points on the scoreboard.
Jeffery and Benjamin are also similar how they are big wide receivers that can adjust and get to the high peak of the ball. Both are not great athletes, but for their size have enough athleticism that they become a nightmare for defensive backs to cover. Also, like Benjamin, Jeffery had some areas that he needed to work on while transitioning into the NFL like route running and football iq. In all, Jeffery and Benjamin play a similar game but Benjamin may be a little better athlete.
Draft Outlook
The 2014 NFL Draft is a deep class for wide receivers, and many of those wide receivers are big wide receivers that can produce. Gladly for Benjamin’s draft stock, he is a top talent who has much potential that would surely put him in the top 32 draft picks.
Personally, I see the impact that Alshon Jeffery is having for the Chicago Bears and what Kelvin Benjamin could do for a team in the NFL with his potential; he is very worthy of a first round pick. He is also one of my top four wide receivers in this year’s draft class along with Sammy Watkins, Davante Adams, and Marqise Lee, and I would not be surprised if I ended up putting Kelvin Benjamin as my top rated wide receiver in this upcoming draft.
Best Fits
Kelvin Benjamin could be a great fit for any team in the NFL. He could eventually be a top receiver for most teams. Looking in the first round, there are many teams that could pick him, in the likes of the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots.
In my opinion, for Kelvin Benjamin, I think that the New England Patriots would be the best situation for him. He would not be expected to go in and produce day one as they have other playmakers like Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman. Although the Patriots lack a big sized playmaker on the outside and Benjamin could fit that role perfectly.