The Panthers have perhaps the worst receiving corps on paper in the NFL. They're hoping first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin can alleviate those concerns.
With no veteran capable of being a go-to receiver on the roster, Carolina is prepping the 6-foot-5 rookie like a No. 1 wideout.
"We've done some things defensively to put him in situations where he's being jammed, where he's being pressed, he's being doubled, he's being rolled to," coach Ron Rivera said Friday, via ESPN. "He's going to have to get used to it."
The Panthers' other top options right now at wideout? Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. After that it's extremely slim pickings.
If Benjamin can step up and be a true No. 1 pass-catcher, the Panthers' offense could be in fine shape with Cotchery as a No. 2 receiver (though the O-line still seems shaky). But asking Cotchery to handle anything more is a fool's errand.
Benjamin will have another opportunity Sunday to prove he's up to the task.
The latest "Around the League Podcast" talks quarterback battles and debates the gang's preseason power rankings.
