Is It Just White Noise?
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The Panthers struggled with their passing game last season by only averaging 219.4 passing yards per game, and were ranked 19th in the league. This was because of the struggling offensive line, and the shortage of offensive weapons. Because of this Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen were targeted by Cam Newton 49% of the time. They combined for a total of 2,016 yards, and 15 touchdowns. The rest of the receivers on the team only combined for a total of 1,812 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. It is pretty evident that the Carolina Panthers need a dynamic wide receiver to play on the opposite side of Kelvin Benjamin. Can they fill this hole with the NFL Draft?
A lot of Panthers fans are excited about the possibility of wide receiver Kevin White playing in Charlotte. Is white noise being used when people are talking about NFL prospect Kevin White?
Kevin White is a wide receiver out of West Virginia University who has built up a lot of hype after his strong performance at the NFL Combine. Granted, White will be long gone by the 25th pick, but just what would the Panthers get if they were able to find a way to move up for White?
Before the NFL Combine Kevin White had only played in 24 career games, and started 22 of those in his two seasons with West Virginia. In his senior season he recorded 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and ten touchdowns. He finished third in the nation for receptions, and sixth in receiving yards. He also had seven consecutive 100 yard receiving games. Despite how well he played in his senior season, he only played two seasons in college.
Should teams take the risk of drafting Kevin White?
My friend Tony Pruter over at E-Editorials created the two spreadsheets below showing receivers starting from the 1999 season with similar NFL Combine measurables to Kevin White, and their career stats in the NFL. He is an Oakland Raiders fan so he understands what it means to draft a fast wide receiver, and have it not work out (no offense). This is what made me question if Kevin White will have a successful career in the NFL.
Comparison:
Kevin White – 6’3” 215 lbs. | 4.35 40 yard dash | 36.5 vertical | 123 broad | 23 bench
Emmanuel Sanders - 5’11” 186 lbs. | 4.40 40 yard dash | 39.5 vertical | 126 broad | 12 bench
The most successful wide receiver in comparison to Kevin White has been Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders has been blessed by being able to play with two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger, and Peyton Manning. He has really turned his career around over these past two seasons. In the past two seasons he has combined for a total of 2,144 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Comparison:
Kevin White – 6’3” 215 lbs. | 4.35 40 yard dash | 36.5 vertical | 123 broad | 23 bench
Chris Cole – 6’1” 191 lbs. | 4.37 40 yard dash | 37.5 vertical | 125 broad | N/A
The least successful wide receiver in comparison to Kevin White has been Chris Cole. Since 2000, Cole has only played in 35 career games. His best season was in 2001 when he played in all 16 games for the Broncos. He ended the year with only nine receptions for 128 receiving yards. In his short NFL career he did tie a Broncos’ single season record with 48 kickoff returns.
Is Kevin White going to have a career like Emmanuel Sanders or Chris Cole?
By, Justin Raymond
Follow Me On Twitter @JayRay19