2014 NFL Draft: Could Pittsburgh Steelers target FSU WR Kelvin Benjamin?
By Matt Shetler
Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (1) catches a touchdown pass over Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Things can’t get much better for Florida State sophomore wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
His final catch of the season won the BCS National Championship for the Seminoles and he has been skyrocketing up prospect boards to the point the Pittsburgh Steelers may take a long look at him in the 2014 NFL Draft.
While I still feel the Steelers will look to the defensive side of the ball in the first round, you can’t deny the fact that the need is there. If there isn’t a good fit defensively when the Steelers pick at No. 15, it may be tough to pass on a guy like Benjamin.
ESPN’s Scott Brown wrote a column linking Benjamin to the Steelers as he also agrees it would make a great deal of sense. The one thing missing from this Steelers offense is a tall, athletic wide receiver who can go up and make plays.
At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, Benjamin has the size and athleticism to potentially be an NFL star.
Take a look at his final touchdown catch. Jameis Winston just put the ball high up in the air and allowed Benjamin to go up and get it. The Steelers don’t have anyone currently on their roster that could have made a similar type of play.
Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery are both free agents and I have written that it’s doubtful they keep both. I can’t envision a scenario in which Sanders comes back.
Therefore the Steelers better be looking for a guy who can blossom into a playmaker right away.
Clemson’s Sammy Watkins will be off the board when the Steelers pick, leaving a chance that Benjamin or Texas A&M’s Mike Evans, another guy I think would be a great fit, will be on the on the board when the Steelers select.
After redshirting his freshman season, Benjamin is eligible for the draft, but there’s still a possibility he could return to school to chase a second consecutive national championship.
However if he comes out, he will be tough to pass on as getting Ben Roethlisberger another weapon has to be a priority.
But it all comes down to need and the right fit. The Steelers have a ton of holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball, which makes going defense the logical choice.
However they simply can’t ignore the need for a playmaking wide receiver and a left tackle. That alone makes a guy like Benjamin very intriguing.