NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates
By Neal Lynch
10. WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
Benjamin had a great rookie campaign in 2014, starting 15 of 16 games played and catching 73 balls for more than 1,000 yards along with nine touchdowns. Kelvin also fared well in the playoffs with a nice showing against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, hauling in 7 passes for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.
A few weeks before the 2015 season was due to begin, the former Florida State standout tore his ACL during practice. Some felt losing Benjamin would’ve doomed the Panthers, but Cam Newton was still able to flourish and win league MVP. Did losing Benjamin make Newton a better quarterback? Will Kelvin’s return disrupt the flow? Well, The Sports Daily feels Benjamin is the missing link to Carolina’s Super Bowl chances.
It’s conceivable that Carolina could see three targets with 1,000 receiving yards: tight end Greg Olsen, and wideouts Devin Funchess and Benjamin. If Kelvin’s able to be the top gainer of the three, he should garner significant attention for the Comeback award.
Kelvin’s ranked eighth on NFL.com writer Chris Wesserling’s list of the top Comeback candidates, with Wesserling commenting:
"“One of the biggest stars in a historically great rookie receiver class, Benjamin beat a string of the NFL’s stingiest cornerbacks…he’ll be the top receiving threat on a Super Bowl contender.”"
The Panthers have one of the tougher schedules in the league, but the easiest within the NFC South as Carolina appears to be the clear favorite to win the title for the fourth year in a row.
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