Blurbs on Devin Funchess in Carolina.... who basically now needs to be the guy... even though earlier they were saying HE IS NOT BENJAMIN and such, now they are saying HE NEEDS TO STEP UP FOR BENJAMIN!!!! lol
8/12: SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A look at Carolina Panthers second-round draft pick Devin Funchess, a wide receiver out of Michigan:
Impressions: You haven’t seen Funchess make the plays he did during offseason workouts because Kelvin Benjamin, last year’s first-round pick, no longer is sidelined by hamstring injuries, as he was in May and June. There’s a flash here and a flash there for Funchess, whose biggest day came during a red-zone drill last week when he had three catches inside the 20. At 6-foot-4, that might be where he is most valuable as the Panthers try to create mismatches with Funchess, Benjamin (6-5) and tight end Greg Olsen (6-5) close to the goal line. But Funchess isn’t ready to step into the No. 2 role yet. He was listed with the third-tier receivers in the team’s first depth chart, which is unofficial. Benjamin, Corey Brown, Ted Ginn Jr. and Jerricho Cotchery are listed above him. I don’t see Funchess staying that low. I also don’t see him starting the season No. 2 unless he takes great strides over the next month.
What’s next? Funchess should have a chance to shine in Friday’s preseason opener at Buffalo for the same reason he did in OTAs. Benjamin likely won’t play more than a couple of series. For Funchess to move up the depth chart, he needs to start catching eyes, because the competition is strong for possibly seven receivers to make the roster. Coach Ron Rivera recently said the No. 2 receiver spot could be filled by committee. Because Funchess can play all three receiver spots, it gives him more opportunities to get on the field.
written August 5th: Devin Funchess is not Kelvin Benjamin and Panthers fans should not expect him to be. I think some fans are waiting for Funchess to blow up in camp and just blow people away. Well Kelvin Benjamin and the rookie wide receiver class spoiled fans. .........
http://pantherlair.sportsblog.com/posts/2978890/devin-funchess-is-not-kelvin-benjamin.html
8/27: Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess may be the primary replacement for Kelvin Benjamin, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
Per beat reporter Jonathan Jones, Rivera had several comparisons for the rookie and Benjamin, implying they have similar skill sets and that they are waiting for Funchess to get healthy and onto the football field.
Rivera said, via The Charlotte Observer:
"The thing we're waiting for is for Devin (Funchess) to be healthy and get him out on the football field. He runs a lot of the same type of routes (as Kelvin). He's almost as imposing a target as Kelvin and the biggest thing with him is the confidence that he plays with as he develops." .............
http://www.sbnation.com/fantasy/2015/8/27/9215507/devin-funchess-fantasy-football-carolina-panthers