Kelvin Benjamin's Consistent Production Makes Panthers WR a Fantasy Must-Start

The Carolina Panthers had higher hopes than most when they selected Kelvin Benjamin No. 28 overall in the 2014 draft, and he's making them look like geniuses in his rookie campaign.

The 23-year-old hasn't played like his young age would suggest as a rookie. He leads all Panthers receivers by nearly 200 yards and only trails tight end Greg Olsen—the team's leading pass-catcher—by 16 yards entering Week 8.

And that chemistry with Cam Newton we heard so much about before the season? Yeah, it's real. Benjamin has caught five of Newton's eight touchdown tosses, and his five scores are tied for sixth among wideouts and top the rookie charts, per the Panthers' official Twitter account:

It's his consistency that has stood out the most in fantasy, however. As hard as it is to find every-week performers at the receiver spot—much less from a rookie—Benjamin has flourished. Check out his receiving totals by the week:

Week: Opponent	Catches	Yards	TD
Week 1: at Buccaneers	6	92	1
Week 2: vs. Lions	2	46	0
Week 3: vs. Steelers	8	115	1
Week 4: at Ravens	5	76	1
Week 5: vs. Bears	3	38	0
Week 6: at Bengals	7	49	1
Week 7: at Packers	3	61	1

Already high up on fantasy experts' radars entering 2014, Benjamin's standout performances should have him starting in almost every fantasy league. Right?

Well, not quite. Benjamin is only owned in 88 percent and started in 44 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. 

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Of course, a looming Week 8 matchup with the mighty Seattle Seahawks might have something to do with that. But despite its reputation, Seattle has been human against the pass—ranking 16th in the league.

As Carolina's top wideout, though, Benjamin will draw the short straw by going up against Richard Sherman. But he doesn't appear concerned.

"You can tell he loves the game," Benjamin told ESPN.com's David Newton. "He brings the passion to it. He has fun. He talks a lot of smack out there, but this is football. I'm just going to come out there and match his intensity, play fast and be sound in all my assignments." 

MIKE MCCARN/Associated Press

Starting a receiver who is going up against Sherman would figure to be fantasy roadkill, but Benjamin has both the confidence and size—6'5", 240 pounds—to have success against him. 

And when he's catching a touchdown in virtually every game, you have to like his chances of continuing to get red-zone opportunities.

Even if Benjamin does come back down to earth in Week 8, fantasy owners need not worry. The Panthers turn around in Week 9 to face a 28th-ranked New Orleans Saints pass defense, followed by the 23rd-ranked Philadelphia Eagles.

The rookie is blowing up in his first season, and by now, his fantasy owners should be convinced starting him is worth the risk.

All stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.