There are times when Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin makes a catch that makes you say "wow," like the juggling 22-yarder falling backwards in the end zone during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 19-17 loss to Atlanta.
There are times he drops the routine catch that makes you say "wow" in not such a good way, like the one in the back of the end zone in a 13-9 loss to Seattle in which he let the ball go through both hands.
That kind of inconsistency is why his number of catches (52) to targets (98) isn’t spectacular.
But one thing is certain: Feeding passes to the 6-foot-5, 240-pound rookie out of Florida State will continue to be a priority when the Panthers (3-7-1) return from their bye week.
"You’ve got to get him touches, because he gets going," Carolina wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl said. "Just like any great receiver, when you feed him he gets into the game."
Benjamin is second among rookie receivers in receptions (52) and receiving yards (768), and first in TD catches (eight). The inconsistencies, you could say, are typical for rookie WRs, however there are those rookies who seem to be doing just fine this season catching the ball. It's good news for owners that the Panthers seem like they are going to continue to get Benjamin the ball. He's probably their best playmaker on offense and should continue to make for at least a solid WR3 option with fairly favorable matchups the rest of the year.