Week 10 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Philadelphia
Kelvin Benjamin only caught two passes for 18 yards last week against the Saints, but he was targeted a team high 10 times. The whole Panthers offense struggled massively and the team suffered a big loss to a division rival on Thursday night at home.
The Panthers need to improve on offense for Benjamin to put up the kind of numbers that make him a WR1 in fantasy leagues. The matchup this week against the Eagles’ 22nd ranked pass defense is encouraging, but the upside is only so high with such a struggling offense around him. Benjamin is still a nice WR2 option, with big time potential, but fantasy owners should be wary of counting on him for WR1 numbers until we see some improvement from the rest of the team.
Week 9 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. New Orleans
Kelvin Benjamin had four catches, including a 51 yard reception against the Seahawks last week and ended up with 94 yards. He was targeted a team high seven times in what was overall a pretty disappointing day for the Panthers passing game.
Benjamin continues to at least produce average numbers even when the Panthers don’t perform well, and that has made him a solid WR2 option for most of the season, with upside due to his prowess in the red zone. This week, he’ll face a Saints team that has struggled in pass defense all season, and the Panthers will likely need to throw the ball to keep up with the high powered New Orleans offense. Benjamin should remain a solid WR2 start and should be active in all fantasy leagues.
Week 8 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Seattle
Kelvin Benjamin is having an excellent rookie season, and he now ranks 14th in the league in receiving yards. Despite a blowout loss to the Packers last week, Benjamin ended up catching three passes for 61 yards and his fifth touchdown on the season. Benjamin has proven to be as advertised – a big-bodied target with strong hands, who’s a monster in the red zone.
This week, Benjamin faces a Seattle pass defense that has been middle of the road this season, and has seen injuries to its secondary. Still, Benjamin may find himself lined up against Richard Sherman most of the game, as he’s been trailing WR1’s on opposing offenses more often in recent weeks, which makes for a tough outing for the rookie. Benjamin is still worth having in your lineup, but we have him as a low end WR2, rather than a high end WR2 like we normally would due to the matchup.
Week 7 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Green Bay
Kelvin Benjamin had only 49 yards last week against the Bengals, but he caught seven passes and scored a touchdown off an impressive end zone catch where he took a massive hit and somehow held on to the ball.
While the numbers haven’t been eye-popping, Benjamin has been a steady producer and he stands to only improve as the healthy of Cam Newton gets better and the rookie receiver gains experience. Against the Packers this week, expect Carolina to throw the ball, and we have Benjamin as a borderline WR1 option in all leagues as the main target for the Panthers.
Week 6 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Cincinnati
Kelvin Benjamin only had three catches and 38 yards against the Bears last week, but he remains a key focal point for the Panthers offense and he was targeted a team high 11 times in the comeback victory. He’s a large target uniquely able to haul in some of Cam Newton’s errant throws and his 6’5 frame and long arms allow him to snatch some of the several balls that tend to fly a bit on the quarterback.
This week, Benjamin will have a tough matchup against the Bengals, who are sixth in the league in points allowed. Because of his usage, he remains a starting caliber player, but expect low end WR2 numbers from him in what should be a tough game.
Week 5 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Chicago
Kelvin Benjamin continues to be a dominant rookie receiver. Another week, another touchdown for the rookie, who has now scored in three out of four games, and had 76 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore this past weekend. Benjamin also led the team with nine targets, a great sign for the rookie.
Benjamin goes up against a Bears defense that got destroyed by the Packers last week and as the focal point of the Panthers passing attack, he should be in for big numbers in Week 5. He’s reached a point where you really can’t sit him if you own him, and we’re expecting top 10 numbers from him this week.
Week 4 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Baltimore
Kelvin Benjamin was great last week against the Steelers, hauling in tough catch after touch catch in route to eight receptions, 115 yards, and an impressive touchdown in garbage time from backup quarterback Derek Anderson. It’s slightly concerning that Anderson seems to know better how to throw to the big rookie out of Florida State, but Benjamin is so talented and has such great hands, that he’s already being talked about as a favorite for OROY.
Benjamin faces the Ravens this week, a physical team, but one that is giving up 264 yards per game through the air so far this season and ranks below Atlanta in pass defense. The season is still early, but Benjamin should be a good start against the Ravens and we have him ranked as a solid WR2, projected for double-digit fantasy points. The young rookie is beginning to make it hard to sit him.
Week 3 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Pittsburgh
Kelvin Benjamin had a great first game against the Bucs, and then struggled a little against the Lions last week, catching only two passes but still managing 46 yards. Benjamin was targeted a lot and nearly came down with some impressive grabs, but he was also facing double and triple coverage all game.
This week, Benjamin faces a Steelers team that let a tough, sure-handed Steve Smith Sr. catch six passes. Therefore it remains intriguing what tough, sure-handed, 6’5 Kelvin Benjamin might be able to do…
He’s a rookie, so starting him has risk to it, but the Steelers secondary looks sketchy, and Benjamin has a lot of upside. We’ve got him as a WR3 this week, or a low-end WR2, but he’s an interesting option.
Week 2 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Detroit
Kelvin Benjamin is a straight up monster. Already turning heads after a great preseason, Benjamin nabbed six passes last week against the Bucs for 92 yards, including a 16 yard touchdown reception with the defender draped all over him. Expect the Panthers to continue to target the large and sure handed rookie.
Benjamin faces a Lions defense that looked spectacular against the Giants last week, but it’s hard to tell exactly how good the Lions were and how bad the Giants were. I’m guessing there was a little bit of both factors in play, and that Carolina will be a better test for the Lions shaky secondary. As a rookie, we’re not expecting him to be an elite guy, but we have him ranked 22nd for Week 2, making him a borderline WR2 starter in most leagues.
Week 1 – Kelvin Benjamin vs. Tampa Bay
The Panthers are hoping they’ve found a long term WR1 in rookie Kelvin Benjamin, a physical freak with a large catching radius who showed how reliable his hands are with dazzling receptions during the preseason.
Against the Bucs to open the season, Benjamin will be facing zone coverages and cornerbacks who pale in comparison to his massive size. Benjamin is a sneaky start as a WR3 this week, with a good matchup and holding onto his status as the best option in a depleted group of Panthers receivers. Benjamin is risky, as he’s a rookie, but he will have more opportunity than most rookie receivers to become a #1 and contribute quickly.
