Seattle Seahawks 2014 NFL Draft Profile: Kelvin Benjamin
By Todd Pheifer
Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (1) catches a touchdown pass over Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Leading up to the 2014 NFL draft, we will do several profiles of players that the Seattle Seahawks could end up taking in the first round. Plenty of experts have mock drafts, but it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint what is going on inside the headquarters of each team. So much can change as players start to come off the board. First up: A potential pass catcher.
Name: Kelvin Benjamin
School: Florida State University
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 240 pounds
Hand size: 10 1/4 inches
40-yard dash time: 4.61 sec
2013 stats: 54 catches, 1,011 yards, 15 touchdowns
Analysis: Kelvin Benjamin is the type of “big target” that a lot of coaches like on the outside, particularly those that like to create mismatches with smaller cornerbacks. Benjamin is an intriguing, potentially intimidating physical talent. He may be available when the Seahawks pick, but he could also go earlier in the first round.
It is hard to determine whether wide receiver is a top priority for the Seahawks, and whether Russell Wilson needs another target when there are other needs such as offensive line and defensive end. Golden Tate is gone and Percy Harvin is not guaranteed to be healthy. However, if Sidney Rice came back on an affordable contract, Pete Carroll might feel comfortable with Harvin, Rice, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Then again, Carroll and John Schneider did take a running back in the second round last year when they selected Christine Michael. The Seahawks are anything but conventional when it comes to their drafting strategy. Kelvin Benjamin could be on their radar.