Analyzing Early-Season Success and Struggles of Kelvin Benjamin

Kelvin Benjamin has wasted no time making his presence felt in the Carolina Panthers offense. 

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Benjamin has been on the field for 90 percent of the Panthers offensive plays and been the target of 36 pass attempts through the team's first four games. 

While Benjamin has clearly emerged as the Panthers' No. 1 receiver, the results have been a mixed bag of brilliant plays and terrible mistakes. 

Pro Football Focus currently ranks Benjamin 63rd out of 111 qualifying receivers with a grade of minus-0.6, which is probably a fair assessment of his up-and-down performance thus far. 

To demonstrate the good and the bad of Benjamin's first four NFL games, let's take a look at three key plays that highlight his biggest strengths and his most glaring weaknesses. 

Bad Play 1: Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

On this play, Benjamin runs his comeback route appropriately and puts himself in perfect position to snag Cam Newton's pass for a first down. The 6'5" Benjamin places himself between Newton and the 6'1" Cortez Allen, which should result in an easy reception every time. 

It isn't a perfect throw by Newton, but Benjamin is late to leave his feet, putting himself in an awkward position with his arms extended in an effort to haul in the pass. As a result, the ball slips out of his hands, forcing the Panthers to settle for a field goal. 

NFL.com

Bad Play 2: Week 3 vs. Steelers

In the mismatch of the century, the 5'9" Antwon Blake lines up in man coverage as Benjamin runs to the end zone for a simple jump ball. 

Blake actually makes a nice play and may have gotten a hand on the ball—but only because Benjamin gives him the opportunity. 

With another poorly timed jump, Benjamin fails to take advantage of the eight-inch height differential and allows the ball to slide right through his hands. Once again, the Panthers would settle for a field goal. 

NFL.com

Good Play 1: Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Benjamin is definitely still struggling with some fundamentals, his physical tools have still allowed him to have a significant impact in the Panthers offense. With a receiver as tall and physical as Benjamin, separation isn't necessary to make plays down the field. 

On this particular play, Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins is draped all over Benjamin (he was actually called for pass interference), but Benjamin still manages to come down with the touchdown. 

NFL.com

Benjamin is one of the few receivers in the league who can be considered open even when he's not, which has already made him the go-to target for Newton and Derek Anderson. 

Through Week 4, Benjamin has been the target of 25.5 percent of Panthers quarterbacks' passes, the 12th-highest rate in the league, according to Advanced Football Analytics. 

As Benjamin continues to refine his fundamentals, his rare ability to complete for jump balls should allow him to establish himself as one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL. But much like what the Chicago Bears went through with Alshon Jeffery, who grew by leaps and bounds from his rookie to sophomore year, the Panthers may simply have to live with some rookie mistakes along the way.