Kelvin Benjamin: A Player the New York Jets Should Not Select in the NFL Draft

Dec 7, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver

(1) runs by the tackle of Duke Blue Devils cornerback

(6) during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. FSU defeated Duke 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Kelvin Benjamin is built like he was born to play wide receiver in the NFL. At 6’5″ tall, and 240 pounds, offensive coordinators must be drooling at the idea of having him on the field as their team approaches the end zone.

The Jets need to score points. Kelvin Benjamin posted 19 touchdowns in two seasons at Florida State. Being that tall, Benjamin has a large “catch-radius”, meaning that he can reach for balls that might not be the most accurately thrown. This would seem to make Benjamin a perfect match for Geno Smith to grow up with, no?

This morning, I am here to tell you that despite all of these great points in his favor, Kelvin Benjamin should not be anywhere near a Jets’ uniform. OK, maybe if he stops by a Modell’s store in NY, he can be near a Jets’ uniform then, but no other time.

In other words, the Jets’ should not draft this guy, not now, not ever.

Many of you are probably wondering why, and it is an excellent question.  Take a look at his stats at FSU:

Receiving & Rushing

These are the stats of a guy that can play the game, and do it well. Kelvin Benjamin has the tools to be a successful wide receiver at the professional level. As one scout put it, “You can’t teach 6’5″”. So, why shouldn’t the Jets choose him?

Because Benjamin has that other unfortunate potential of an NFL wide receiver, the potential to be a diva. And THAT, the Jets should not touch with a ten foot pole.

Some of these tendencies are seen in his NFL profile. Take a look at this excerpt of his weaknesses:

Does not shake many defenders after the catch. Will make the easy concentration drop and focus could stand to improve at the break point (three drops vs. Florida). Seeks to run before securing the ball and double-catches more than he should. Blocking effort/sustainability has room to improve on the move.

If you read those points closely, you notice some words, like “concentration”, and “effort”, and they are not used in lights that are favorable to the player. The red flag starts to go up when you see words like “concentration” and “effort” in the context of mistakes that are made.

Then, we hear the report about skipping a workout. Here is a CBS report on the situation, but many other outlets reported it as well.  As expected, Kelvin Benjamin’s camp has denied the allegation, but the fact of the matter is that it’s out there.  Where there is smoke, there is fire.  The story would not have carried with that many sources if there wasn’t something to it.

That’s the stuff of a player that doesn’t care.  He is trying to break into the sport, and you blow off a workout?  Does that make any sense?  If you think you are great, it makes sense.  But typically, when you think you are great, you aren’t so great.  This is the wrong attitude for Kelvin Benjamin to take.

And that is why Benjamin should be nowhere near the Jets.