Carolina Panthers: 5 biggest NFL Draft mistakes in history

4. Kelvin Benjamin over Davante Adams

Kelvin Benjamin was one of the most dominant wide receivers in college football. He was an imposing figure at 6-foot-5. And it was tough to think about taking any wideout over him.

The Carolina Panthers got what looked to be a coup by taking Benjamin with the 28th pick. And at first, it seemed to be the right pick. In his rookie year, the player caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.

Benjamin looked like the receiver Cam Newton needed to get the team to the next level. He towered over every corner and was dominant from his first game.

Unfortunately, Benjamin tore his ACL in practice before the 2015 season. The Panthers had their best campaign ever that year as Newton went on to win MVP and led them to a Super Bowl appearance.

The following season Benjamin played well. But the Panthers didn’t have the same success. This was followed by the receiver turning up to camp overweight in 2017 and he was traded to the Buffalo Bills midseason.

Benjamin never found that success he had his rookie year and he hasn’t played since 2018. Another receiver taken later in the draft has made his name known over the last two seasons.

The Green Bay Packers took Davante Adams in the second round at No. 52 overall. And he has now evolved into the best receiver quarterback Aaron Rodgers has ever had.

Adams went for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018. Imagine if the Panthers had taken him instead of Benjamin in 2014.

The prolific player could’ve been that missing piece to help get the Panthers back to the Super Bowl. Instead, he is helping Rodgers make deep playoff runs. Carolina could’ve had a true No. 1 receiver and their success the past couple seasons could’ve been very different.