NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Sep 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) warms up on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was one of the most impressive rookies in the 2014 draft class, as his size, explosiveness, and amazing body control allowed him to overcome his drop and route-running issues en route to becoming one of the team’s most important players. The first-round pick out of Florida State was an immediate success with a 73/1,008/9 line and 13.8 yards per reception.

No preseason injury has been more impactful than Benjamin’s ACL tear, since there is, simply put, nobody on the Panthers who can replace him.

The Panthers can only hope that their high draft pick at the wide receiver position in this class, Devin Funchess, can have similar success in his first season in the league, and I am indeed a believer in him. Although I doubt Funchess will be as successful as Benjamin and clearly don’t view him as an “X” due to his lack of speed, Funchess is a unique player capable of generating mis-matches with his size, ball skills, and ability to shield defenders with his body.

At 6’4″, 225 pounds, the 21-year-old is definitely a valuable long-term prospect for the Panthers, so we’ll see just how good he is in his first season, especially now that he has to carry the torch with Benjamin out. I think people need to look at his tape at Michigan in 2013, because his situation last year was just unworkable (Devin Gardner could do extremely little correctly for the Wolverines offense).

Next: Plenty of Candidates