Team-by-Team Draft Recap: Carolina Panthers

Jeff Haverlack Posted On June 30, 2014

benjamin

Say what you will about the Carolina Panthers, but they put together an impressive 2013 campaign, finishing with a 12-4 record during the regular season before losing to San Francisco in their first post-season game.

Finishing 29th in the league in passing yards and 11th in rushing, a first round selection of a wide receiver seemed to be ordained. Following the conclusion of the 2013 season, starting receivers Steve Smith (BAL) and Brandon LaFell (NE) both moved on, leaving only aging tight end Greg Olsen as a receiver with any experience. In the running game, the Panthers were sure to add talent via the draft, but seemed content to, yet again, enter the new season with the underwhelming duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams managed only 843 yards on 201 attempts, good for a 4.2 yards per carry average and Stewart only saw 48 rushes while spending a majority of 2013 on the trainer’s table.

There are no question marks at the quarterback position as Cam Newton, still only 25 years of age, turned in a productive year, passing for 3,379 yards, with a 24:13 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Combine that with his 585 rushing yards and another six rushing touchdowns and you have solid QB1 performance.

With the Panthers largely expected to address their receiver need early in the draft, all eyes would be on the rookie given his likely immediate-starting potential. But how soon would the Panthers address their need for a young runner?

Kelvin Benjamin, WR (Round 1, #28)

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With bigger names already off the board and the Panthers seemingly unwilling to trade up, the feeling was likely that the receiver class was deep enough to garner a big target late in the first round, thus Benjamin was the pick. Massive in size at 6’5″/240 lbs., he’s a huge target who could just as easily line up as a hybrid tight end as he could on the outside as a true wide receiver. When I watched Benjamin, I immediately thought of the Bears’ Alshon Jeffery due to his less than ideal speed dynamic, but gifted size, strength and hands. A little like Jeffery, Benjamin too is a raw route runner who too often relies on size to dominate much smaller collegiate cornerbacks. In the NFL, he’ll be far more challenged to develop better route running skills and work to expand his route tree.

In fantasy, Benjamin’s value has been all over the map. I’ve seen him selected in the top five selections as well as in the middle of the second round. Fantasy coaches are a fickle crowd who desire speed and size in their receivers, usually much preferring the former. Similar to Jeffery’s fall into the late second round as a rookie, Benjamin’s stock has been bolstered marginally by Jeffery’s eventual success in 2013. Benjamin projects more as a red zone and possession receiver until he proves otherwise, which will be difficult due to his massive size. Don’t let this deter you, however, Benjamin is a lock to be on the field from day one and will get his fair share of targets.

Tyler Gaffney, RB (Round 6, #204)

It’s a great surprise that no other offensive skill position was selected before Gaffney following their selection of Benjamin in the first round. Gaffney possesses prototypical NFL size, strength and speed, but doesn’t consistently show use of these traits often enough to suggest he’ll be a difference-maker in the NFL. Working most in Gaffney’s favor is the Panthers’ running back depth chart and the potential for touches early in the season. With late round runners, the best you can hope for is an eventual opportunity to carry the ball and earn further touches.

Gaffney doesn’t display great vision and appears to be extremely inconsistent in picking lanes and showing productive patience, used to allow seams to develop ahead of his blocking. On first contact, he does display willingness to grind out extra yardage, but doesn’t use optimal leverage or drive.

In deeper dynasty leagues, Gaffney should find a roster spot, but more than likely he’ll exist on your waiver wire and his progress can be monitored through training camp and where you could add him quickly if he begins to show ability. There’s just not enough upside present to suggest Gaffney is a rough gem waiting to be polished.

Summary

While I do find it shocking the Panthers did not further address their receiver needs via the draft, or with bigger names in free agency, they did have needs on both sides of the ball. Still, finishing second overall in opponent’s rushing yards and sixth overall against the pass, it seems another receiver could have been afforded early.

Carolina will have multiple questions to be answered during the 2014 campaign. Will a running back emerge who can be played in fantasy consistently? With DeAngelo Williams now 31 years of age and Jonathan Stewart an annual permanent fixture on the bench, it seems more of the same for fantasy coaches. With so many question marks at receiver, can Cam Newton continue to be a QB1? It’s hard to imagine or forecast Newton matching his 2013 production. Losing two veteran receivers and replacing them with free agency cast-offs and a rookie, I expect reduced production in the passing game, but potentially greater rushing statistics. Cam Newton will likely slip in value in inaugural drafts due to the turnover on the depth chart, but remains a high-end long-term asset.

Follow me on Twitter: @DLF_Jeff

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Jeff Haverlack

Co-Founder at Dynasty League Football

Appreciative husband and proud father who poorly attempts to balance family life with his passion for creating the largest, most helpful and most impactful fantasy community on the planet! DLF was created for the community and we're committed to each member within it! Hope anyone playing this great game will call DLF home in some way!

You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff

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