Kelvin Benjamin

Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin struggling with conditioning

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has struggled with conditioning during camp, head coach Ron Rivera said Sunday.

What It Means:

Benjamin has struggled with conditioning and his weight in the past. Add in a major injury last year, and this could be something concerning to watch. Rivera said the goal is to get Benjamin to "where he can handle 30-35 snaps by the end of the preseason." Benjamin has reportedly been getting "winded" after running deep routes. The Panthers used a sort of receiver rotation last year, something they could re-implement if Benjamin can't open the season capable of playing full complements of snaps.

Even with his target share likely to decline after a stellar rookie campaign, Benjamin is still likely to lead Carolina's wideouts in targets. Of the 58 wide receivers who were targeted at least 80 times in 2014, Benjamin finished 34th with a Reception Net Expected Points (NEP) per target of 0.67.