2014 Panthers Rookie Grades

[Nick_81]

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.

I think people also forget that KB only had 1 full year of big college ball under his belt when he was drafted.  He was redshirted his freshman year.  In 2012 he played in all the games, but he wasn't one of the top two receivers on the team.  2013 was his first season as a "premier" guy, and even then, I believe he was the #2 target.  You can't help but be impressed with his rookie production, especially considering his previous experience, and being inserted as the #1 from the beginning.  Nowhere to go but up, right?

[firefox1234]

Mike Mayock mentioned soemthing similar and it was very sobering when I saw the list of recent WRs who come into the league with one year of college production and that list includes:

 

Stephen Hill 2012 Draft

 

Greg Little 2011 Draft

 

Devin Thomas 2008 Draft

 

Anthony Gonzalez 2007 Draft

 

The kid has clearly outperformed and the fact that he has come this far in the league so quickly is surprising enough. Of course he has a drop issues he needs to address but I dont see why he cant/wont improve on that. Also its clear he has already done better than his past predecessors drafted in the same situation.

 

 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/carolina-panthers/0ap2000000348349/Panthers-select-Kelvin-Benjamin-with-No-28-pick

[CPantherKing]

My grades in a previous thread were based on how they compare to other starters in the NFL, not depth players or potential. Must of hit a nerve for people to bring it back up in another thread.

 

Jeremy is grading based on rookie/draft value. I believe he is a bit too generous, but my grades from the previous thread would go up if you are basing it off of rookie/draft value.

 

Some of you are way too sensitive. I pay no attention to belittling comments that have no substance. If you want to disagree, then fine. I expect that. I also expect people who disagree to propose their grades in their argument. There are GMs in the NFL who grade Cam a D (2 of 5). Others Grade him a B (4 of 5) to give you an example. Do not whine and cry over a D grade. Come back with your grade and assessment or move on.

 

Based on rookie/draft value: (Not giving a C or higher grade unless they have made an impact in a game)

Kelvin Benjamin: A ; Among the top WRs in the rookie class. See catches in Seattle game. No + because of the drops.

Kony Ealy: C ; Factored into 1 or 2 plays at most per game. Struggled badly for the first 10 weeks of the season, especially with containing the run on the edge. Stat line consists of 0 across the board or 1 tackle, assist, or sack. Needs to be around the ball more.

Trai Turner: B - ; No push consistently with his straight up blocking against the bigger defensive tackles. Rarely found the second level in straight ahead run blocking. Excellent lateral movement. Pulling and picking up angles when sliding his block down the line was nearly unstoppable.

Tre Boston: C+ ; Ball hawk as safety.  Out of position at times but recovers very well with his quickness, speed and lateral movement. Needs to be stronger at tackling in open space. The CBs are better open field tacklers than Boston.

Bene Benwikere: B+ ; Excellent value in the 5th round. Good tackler. Ball Hawk. Excellent coverage. 'A' as a nickel back. As a CB he has tight coverage, but a bit untested against the 2nd and 3rd receiving options of opposing teams. Norman by far anchors the CB position.

Tyler Gaffney: F ; messed up by the front office. When a FO cuts a draft pick, they admit they missed on the pick. If he turns out to be a top RB in the NFL, this becomes one of the biggest blunders (F-) in Panthers history - right there with the Sean Gilbert trade if he turns out to be a Tom Brady/Terrell Davis/Shannon Sharpe quality player.

 

UDFA Value

Andrew Norwell: A

Philly Brown: A+

David Foucault: F

Adarius Glanton: B+

Carrington Byndum: D

 

Other UDFAs not listed are Ds and Fs.

 

Sorry, if some of you do not appreciate the Pros and the Cons, and not just the Pros. I expect the trolls, but the trolls should not expect a response. I appreciate topics that open up discussion which evaluates the team. Thanks Jeremy keep it up.

 

 

[Killa Cam 69]

If the draft was tonight I wonder were norell would go

[Pejorative Miscreant]

My grades in a previous thread were based on how they compare to other starters in the NFL, not depth players or potential. Must of hit a nerve for people to bring it back up in another thread.

Jeremy is grading based on rookie/draft value. I believe he is a bit too generous, but my grades from the previous thread would go up if you are basing it off of rookie/draft value.

Some of you are way too sensitive. I pay no attention to belittling comments that have no substance. If you want to disagree, then fine. I expect that. I also expect people who disagree to propose their grades in their argument. There are GMs in the NFL who grade Cam a D (2 of 5). Others Grade him a B (4 of 5) to give you an example. Do not whine and cry over a D grade. Come back with your grade and assessment or move on.

Based on rookie/draft value: (Not giving a C or higher grade unless they have made an impact in a game)

Kelvin Benjamin: A ; Among the top WRs in the rookie class. See catches in Seattle game. No + because of the drops.

Kony Ealy: C ; Factored into 1 or 2 plays at most per game. Struggled badly for the first 10 weeks of the season, especially with containing the run on the edge. Stat line consists of 0 across the board or 1 tackle, assist, or sack. Needs to be around the ball more.

Trai Turner: B - ; No push consistently with his straight up blocking against the bigger defensive tackles. Rarely found the second level in straight ahead run blocking. Excellent lateral movement. Pulling and picking up angles when sliding his block down the line was nearly unstoppable.

Tre Boston: C+ ; Ball hawk as safety. Out of position at times but recovers very well with his quickness, speed and lateral movement. Needs to be stronger at tackling in open space. The CBs are better open field tacklers than Boston.

Bene Benwikere: B+ ; Excellent value in the 5th round. Good tackler. Ball Hawk. Excellent coverage. 'A' as a nickel back. As a CB he has tight coverage, but a bit untested against the 2nd and 3rd receiving options of opposing teams. Norman by far anchors the CB position.

Tyler Gaffney: F ; messed up by the front office. When a FO cuts a draft pick, they admit they missed on the pick. If he turns out to be a top RB in the NFL, this becomes one of the biggest blunders (F-) in Panthers history - right there with the Sean Gilbert trade if he turns out to be a Tom Brady/Terrell Davis/Shannon Sharpe quality player.

UDFA Value

Andrew Norwell: A

Philly Brown: A+

David Foucault: F

Adarius Glanton: B+

Carrington Byndum: D

Other UDFAs not listed are Ds and Fs.

Sorry, if some of you do not appreciate the Pros and the Cons, and not just the Pros. I expect the trolls, but the trolls should not expect a response. I appreciate topics that open up discussion which evaluates the team. Thanks Jeremy keep it up.

Pretty fair grades. I tend to be much more subjective with my grades and look at the guy and ask whether he performed above my expectations so I would have Ealy higher but get the assessment and the reasons for it. I also apparently have a rule for UDFA Canadian guys that is similar to the "if your college room mate dies during the semester rule". Any UDFA Canadian that gets a hat and somehow makes it into the line up gets an A from me.