The Facts: Benjamin's offseason program didn't start the way anyone wanted it to. When the fourth-year wide receiver arrived for the start of workouts, the scale revealed he was "a little heavy," as HC Ron Rivera put it. "I was really kind of disappointed," Benjamin said after a strength and conditioning session Wednesday. "I think people saw that first weigh-in and were like, 'Woah, is he ready to play?' But we had a good talk. (Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman) told me what I had to do, and that's what I've been doing."
Diehards Line:According to Panthers.com's Max Henson, Benjamin’s own disappointment has motivated him throughout his daily workouts. So too has the outside noise coming from those joking at his expense, ready to write him off. “All I can do is take it and use it as motivation to get where they want me to be,” said Benjamin, who plans to get his naturally hulking 6-5 frame down to the 245-pound range. He knows his weight is something that must be addressed if he’s to reach his full potential. “I need to be in the best shape of my life. That’s what we’re getting to,” Benjamin said. ... As a rookie in 2014, Benjamin looked like a player ready to be a dominant force when he posted 1,008 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. But the ACL tear he suffered during a one-on-one drill in the ensuing training camp wiped out his 2015 season and impacted him in 2016. As with every player coming off a major injury, Benjamin needed to work himself into “football shape," and he finished an admittedly up-and-down season with 941 yards and seven touchdowns. The good news? After Rivera and Gettleman addressed concerns about his weight, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick, keeping him under contract through 2018. Benjamin took that as a sign of faith and trust. Fantasy owners in Dynasty leagues should too. Redrafters? Still shouldn't overpay this summer.