2014 Panthers Rookie Grades

[Dex]

Very true. I bumped him to a B the more I thought about it. I just get so frustrated with him because he is absolutely oozing potential and seems to screw up the simple stuff, but truthfully it's not fair to hold him to such an insane standard when he's performed at a very high level in a position with a notorious bust factor.

That's what worries me it seems like he can't get his head right. All the talent he needs and the guy can't focus or finish. Ugh hopefully he'll come around cause I love what he brings to the passing game.

[fieryprophet]

That's what worries me it seems like he can't get his head right. All the talent he needs and the guy can't focus or finish. Ugh hopefully he'll come around cause I love what he brings to the passing game.

 

Eh, it just seems to be years of bad habits that take time to iron out, not going to write him off. Much like Cam did, he'll have to learn that physical talent has its limits and a strong mental approach is required to sustain success. And no rookie gets as much production so quickly without working their butt off, so work ethic shouldn't be a question.

[Darth Biscuit]

Benjamin is a bit frustrating due to him missing some of the easy catches, but he was well worth the pick imo.

 

If he can get those simple catches down he'll be a #1 WR in this league for years.  It also helps a lot to me that he and Cam seem to have so much chemistry personally.

 

 

 

Zod when you say Norwell didn't have the physical measurables, do you mean his athletic ability?  Because he sure as hell has size.

[Jeremy Igo]

Benjamin is a bit frustrating due to him missing some of the easy catches, but he was well worth the pick imo.

If he can get those simple catches down he'll be a #1 WR in this league for years. It also helps a lot to me that he and Cam seem to have so much chemistry personally.

Zod when you say Norwell didn't have the physical measurables, do you mean his athletic ability? Because he sure as hell has size.

He isn't weight room strong. But he makes up for it in technique and aggressiveness. I prefer the latter 100% of the time.

[*FreeFua*]

Hard to give a rookie WR that posted 1000 yards and 9 TD's anything less than an A. Only reason he isn't getting more media attention is because of this extremely good rookie WR class.

Beckham and Evans both of who went way before KB are getting most of the attention. With KB you take the good with the bad, but you cannot cherry pick when it comes to his production. Like Vertical Threat said, the defense has to account for him at all times and that's worth a lot as well.

Guys like Philly, Glanton, Foucault and Boston all haven't played enough to give them a final grade imo. I'd like to see Philly hit the weight room this offseason because he needs to add some muscle. Glanton has over commit on some plays but I've liked what I've seen and he made a big ST tackle on Hester Sunday as well. Foucault looked like trash but hard to give him a final grade with so little to base it off of. I still need to see more out of Boston before i feel comfortable with him, Bene bailed him out big time in NewOrleans. But being a rookie at the safety position is almost as difficult as being a rookie DE. It isn't often you see a rookie safety come in and make a immediate impact.

Overall, I can't remember a time that I've been so excited about the young guys on this team.

[cranky]

Production is meaningless?

OK.

 

It is when it comes when the game is all but over. I also know for every great catch, there has also been a careless drop. I have also seen him stop on a couple of routes which led to interceptions. Drops in the EZ when the game is still winnable, stopping on routes which lead to ints. and personal fouls at inopportune times all have to be factored into his grade.

 

He has the physical tools to be dominant and he has played to that potential at times but when you look at the other rookie receivers this year, his numbers aren't quite as impressive.

[Jeremy Igo]

Some of you don't seem to understand that kb is a late first round rookie. If the draft were done over, he would be a top 15 pick.

[VerticalThreat]

Some of you don't seem to understand that kb is a late first round rookie. If the draft were done over, he would be a top 15 pick.

Exactly. Since some aren't happy with the production of KB, please pick a player who's done more (and STILL has so much untapped potential) you'd rather have. Take the drops from the rookie, we all knew those were coming, but not one of us expected 1000 yards.

Quick question, what other rookies are on teams with a 2nd 1000 yard receiver? I'd say KB is a big part of the reason that #88 has 1000 yard receiving.

[usmcpanthers]

I cant understand the KB hate. We should be ecstatic with him. Remember Keary Colbert (well he had a great rookie year) bust, Dwayne Jarret bust, Drew Carter bust,  Donald LaFail (sandbagger, plays well for NE), etc.....Its been forever since we had a promising young wr with elite potential. Also remember the before mentioned recievers had smitty, they weren't #1's. If Smitty was still here, I doubt any criticism would be on KB. I reserve my judgement on KB around year 3. I believe Ricky will keep polishing his skillset.

[Dunn]

I agree with all grades, I think a full off season with Ricky and hopefully some mental development for KB can help to calm his drops.  So far the future is bright for all the rookies.  

[FootballMaestro]

This may be the best rookie class the Panthers have ever seen. Here is how I would grade it out taking their draft position or UDFA status into consideration. 

 

Kelvin Benjamin

1000 yards, 9 TDs. What else do you need to know? Yes, he has had lapses in focus resulting in drops, but overall an exceptional showing for a rookie forced into a #1 receiver role. First round pick, first round production.

 

Grade - A

 

 

Kony Ealy

Ealy is one of the less appreciated rookie's on the team, mainly due to people not understanding how difficult the defensive end position is for a rookie to make an impact. Ealy played in 15 games and had 4 sacks. For comparison sakes, Greg Hardy also played in 15 games his rookie season and recorded 3 sacks. Not bad for a late second round pick.

 

Grade - A

 

Trai Turner

Though hobbled by injury early in the season, Turner ended up where I predicted him to be during camp. Namely a solid starting guard. He hasn't given up a sack all season and is a road grader in the run game. All for the price of a 3rd round pick? Hell yes.

 

Grade - A

 

Tre Boston

Sidelined for most of the season due to injury, Boston finally saw the field and did an adequate job. He has had lapses in judgement, but also flashes of brilliance. Still, he is a 4th round rookie starting at safety for a playoff team.

 

Grade - B

 

 

Bene Benwikere

Many in the local media blasted him early in camp for mistakes, but I saw something different. Bene showed the physical skills early and once his brain caught up to his legs, Bene became the best corner the Panthers have drafted since Chris Gamble. Not bad for a 5th round selection. If the draft were done over today, "Big Play" Bene would be a first or second rounder. Thats all you need to know.

 

Grade - A+

 

 

Andrew Norwell

The Panthers organization are as excited about UDFA Norwell as they are about 1st round selection Benjamin. Norwell came into camp without any media attention and worked his way into a starting position where he is a monster. Norwell fell out of the draft due to not having the physical measurables... its too bad they haven't developed a way to measure aggressive tenacity.

 

Grade - A+

 

Philly Brown

First thrown into the punt return role where he failed, so that will be shown in his grade. But Philly then found his home as the deep threat and occasional end around runner. Since then he has performed better than Ted Ginn. It is a shame it took so long for the Panthers to realize his potential in the passing game even after posting 7 receptions against Pittsburgh early in the season. If the draft were held again today, I would wager Philly would be a mid rounder. Impressive.

 

Grade - B

 

David Foucault

Started one game at right tackle and looked awful. Promptly placed back on the Sunday inactives list. Foucault was a multi year project coming in, his only asset being his superior physical frame. Could he be worth it in the long term? Maybe. But this year the grade isn't so good. Lets hope in a few years we look back and laugh at it.

 

Grade - D

 

Adarius Glanton

When a rookie UDFA comes in for a starter and does well.... what more can you ask? Glanton filled in for the injured AJ Klein and made some nice plays. There was no noticeable drop off. Glanton has also shown value on special teams. You need these role players on successful teams.

 

Grade - A

 

 

Carrington Byndom

I liked this kid in camp, and was the only one in the media that did. He got a lot of flack from the beat writers. But, he is an UDFA on a playoff team's regular roster. I enjoy being right. Byndom hasn't played many snaps in the three games since being brought up from the practice squad. I am going to give him a C until more information is available next season.

 

Grade - C

 

 

 

 

Rookie Awards

 

Most Valuable - Kelvin Benjamin

Most likely to dismember opponent - Andrew Norwell

Coolest Cat - Trai Turner

Biggest Shoe - David Foucault

Most Improved - Kony Ealy

Ball Hawker - Bene Benwikere

 

Please reference your grades to that other Huddler (forgot his/her name), who gave most of the Panther draft class C's or D's with a few exceptions!

[FootballMaestro]

Benjamin's is way too high. Numbers are meaningless if the catch or TD comes at the wrong time. 50% catch rate with multiple drops in the endzone or on third downs do not contribute to wins - just losses. I would only give him a C+ as a 1st rounder. I would give Brown the A as a UDFA. Guy has been more dangerous and a lot more dependable the Benjamin over the last few games. He and Benwikere are the real stars of this draft.

 

Understand your sentiments, but as Jeremy said, 'he was the 28th draft pick cast into the role of starter/#1 receiver, and put up big time numbers' in Shula's offense, remember?

 

Sure he had some key drops (including last week); which is the reason for his A- grade. However, it doesn't take away from all which was cast upon his this year and what he produced. Okay, so you give the A+ to Odell Beckham Jr.

 

I would agree, Jeremy took a more optimistic take overall. I would have, maybe given KB a B+ grade myself (especially after what happen last week and recent games). But if you would have asked me not to long ago, an A- grade may have sufficed as well?

[nctarheel0619]

Some of you don't seem to understand that kb is a late first round rookie. If the draft were done over, he would be a top 15 pick.

You might be right, seeing as how half these picks in the first round haven't had good seasons.

[FootballMaestro]

Some of you don't seem to understand that kb is a late first round rookie. If the draft were done over, he would be a top 15 pick.

 

And would have been probably top 10 with out all the recent drops.

 

Of course they're present. But it truly appears to be a concentration issue, cause he catches the difficult ones so well.

 

I know many of you don't care about that. But hopefully, that can be rectified, since we know it's not an ability issue, because Benji can make the hard catches.