Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess may be the primary replacement for Kelvin Benjamin, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
Devin Funchess could be primary Kelvin Benjamin replacement, presents fantasy upside
The Kelvin Benjamin injury devastated the Carolina Panthers’ offense, but a Plan B could be in the works. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Per beat reporter Jonathan Jones, Rivera had several comparisons for the rookie and Benjamin, implying they have similar skill sets and that they are waiting for Funchess to get healthy and onto the football field.
Rivera said, via The Charlotte Observer:
“The thing we’re waiting for is for Devin (Funchess) to be healthy and get him out on the football field. He runs a lot of the same type of routes (as Kelvin). He’s almost as imposing a target as Kelvin and the biggest thing with him is the confidence that he plays with as he develops.”
Fantasy Spin: It was suspected that the Panthers would replace Benjamin with a committee, but once Funchess becomes more seasoned at the NFL level, it’s not illogical to think he will function as the Panthers’ X receiver.
With a barren depth chart, and a second-round investment in the Michigan standout, the Panthers may have no choice but to pepper Funchess and reliable tight end Greg Olsen with targets all season long.
Opinions of Funchess’s NFL potential vary widely, but volume alone provides him with upside at his current eighth-round average draft position.
