NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Kelvin Benjamin’s Return Adds Excitement for Carolina Panthers

By Raphael Garcia

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Kelvin Benjamin
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Kelvin Benjamin /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kelvin Benjamin adds an immediate boost to the Carolina Panthers’ offense, and you can only imagine what that will mean in 2016.

As the off season lingers on, there are a number of stories worth watching for every team within the National Football League. For the Carolina Panthers, one issue to pay close attention to is how well they strengthen their receiving core before the start of next season. The most compelling point is the fact that Kelvin Benjamin is set to return from the knee injury that knocked him out of the 2015 campaign. When looking forward, fans and teammates alike should be excited for his immediate impact.

Related Story: Who are the biggest busts in NFL Draft history?

Rewind back to Week 1 of last season and expectations were that the Panthers would have a below mediocre passing attack. Fortunately for the team, the exact opposite occurred. Not only did Cam Newton grow in leaps and bounds, he helped his receivers reach new points in their careers as well. Both Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Olsen finished with career receiving numbers. All of these improvements were at the surprise of the league, fans and their opponents.

More from Carolina Panthers

Adding Benjamin back into this roster creates an immediate shot in the arm that this unit needs. He was the leading man in the Panthers’ passing game back in 2014. When coupled with Devin Funchess, who had a solid rookie season, the Panthers will have two very big targets to take advantage of opposing defenses. Throw in Olsen’s consistency and Ginn’s ability to stretch the field that is a dangerous core of receivers for any unit to deal with.

This dream group hinges on Benjamin’s recover from his injury. According to current reports, Benjamin is steadily improving and he’s expected to be ready for opening day of Panthers’ camp.

“Kelvin has worked his fanny off,” Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman said Wednesday during the NFL Scouting Combine to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “He really has taken the bull by the horns. Like any other young kid it took him a couple weeks to get over the woe-is-me stuff and understand it’s time to go. He’ll be doing some things this spring and he’ll be ready to go for training camp.”

Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals and the Panthers tie in overtime 37-37. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals and the Panthers tie in overtime 37-37. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

ACL injuries have hampered players in the past and left many a shell of themselves. However, many players, especially those of a young age, have shown that they can return from this injury to be as effective as they were in the past. The Panthers need Benjamin to return and have an immediate impact on the field. Having two wide receivers that stand well over six-feet tall is an immediate advantage against every backfield in the game.

More nfl spin zone: NFL Combine: WR Testing

Kelvin Benjamin’s rookie season created a wealth of excitement for the Panthers offense leading into last season. While that didn’t play out well for the team in the end, the 2016 season is a new day and a new opportunity. Benjamin’s return, along with the other weapons available to this offense creates a true threat to any defense while adding the muscle that the Panthers need to get over the hump that broke their storied run.

Home/Carolina Panthers