Ranking the 10 worst draft picks in Carolina Panthers franchise history

Kelvin Benjamin – Former Carolina Panthers WR

• Drafted 28th overall in 2014 (Florida State)
• 40 games played
• Traded 2017

Kelvin Benjamin is a prime case of what could have been.

After the wide receiver room was gutted ahead of the 2014 season, the Carolina Panthers the former Florida State standout late in the first round, immediately making him WR1. Benjamin was a stud in his first year, hauling in nine touchdowns on his way to more than 1,000 receiving yards.

According to Ron Rivera, Benjamin was in the best shape of his career heading into the 2015 season. Unfortunately, the wideout tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins and never really recovered.

He returned in 2016 and posted a respectable 941 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. But halfway through the 2017 season, Benjamin was traded to the Buffalo Buffalo for third and seventh-round selections.

Since that trade to Buffalo, the player’s career has taken a nosedive. Notable weight gain saw him released and land with the Kansas City Chiefs and he even converted to a tight end, catching just two passes in the regular season and his one-year deal was not extended.

Benjamin last found himself in New York with the Giants working out at tight end ahead of minicamp. However, was cut after just over two months with the team.

The player’s career could have gone a totally different direction if not for that 2015 injury. Even without his No. 1 receiving option, Cam Newton lead the team to a 15-1 record and Super Bowl appearance.

If Newton had Benjamin healthy that season things may have ended differently in Santa Clara.