Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was one of several rookie wideouts to make a splash during the 2014 season as the first-round pick finished the year with 73 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.
Benjamin was productive throughout the year, posting two of his three best yardage totals in the second half of the year and adding 11 more catches and two touchdowns in the postseason. That doesn’t mean that the transition to the professional ranks was without difficulties, however.
Benjamin said Monday that he found himself tiring mentally at about the halfway point of the season, which was around the time a college season would have been winding down. As mentioned above, he fought through that fatigue fairly well on the field and he’s looking forward to refining his game heading into his second professional campaign.
“I’m working coming out of my breaks on curl routes, my footwork and getting timing down with Cam,” Benjamin said, via Steve Reed of the Associated Press.
Benjamin had some issues with drops, but he put his size to great use in the offense and it should be an even bigger asset for him if he gains the crisper footwork and improved chemistry with Newton he hopes to acquire this offseason. If the Panthers can improve the play of the offensive line as well, their offense should be in position to make a better showing in 2015.
