Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin ‘fell’ to Carolina in the 2014 NFL Draft, but if you ask the former Florida State Seminole about the draft he says it was all part of his plan.

Benjamin was recently asked about the star-studded wide receiver class in the 2014 draft and how Thirty-five wide receivers ran faster than his 4.61 40-yard dash time. When asked about his relatively slow time, Benjamin said that he ran slow on purpose because he knew where he wanted to end up.

“Because I wanted to play for the Carolina Panthers,’’ said Benjamin.

Benjamin commented on his time and said that he was clocking in at 4.41 prior to the combine and that he pulled up a bit to drop his stock just enough to land at No. 28. Had Benjamin ran a 4.41, he would had been No. 5 among receivers.

The Panthers were rumored to be interested in New Orleans Saints rookie Brandin Cooks before the draft, but his stellar combine and 5-10, 185 pound frame made him ideal for a team like the Saints at No. 20 overall. The Panthers ended up with Benjamin at No. 28 and now both rookies are exceeding expectations in their first season.

Both Cooks and Benjamin are in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year as they have both put up solid stat lines through half a season. Benjamin has caught 38 balls for 571 yards and five touchdowns compared to Cooks’ 40 catches for 372 yards and two touchdowns. Buffalo Bills rookie Sammy Watkins might have the inside track on the award as he has 38 receptions for 590 yards and five touchdowns on a team that has Kyle Orton at quarterback.

[ESPN]

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