Over the course of this summer, I have been working with thescoutingacademy.com an online course which helps football fans tune their skills and properly translate the description of the player they have in their head onto paper for NFL GMs. While speaking with the experts I realized how broad and to general my scouting reports were. I would, for example, believe that a player's release in my report either had to be written as good or bad; not a combination of both. This and many other things were flaws in my reports and while I may look back at this report and feel similarly, its all part of learning and refining mine writing which is a reason why I write for Odyssey to practice, practice, and practice doing what I love.

So here goes Kelvin Benjamin Scouting Report 2.0

Kelvin Benjamin is a 4^th year WR who has 42 starts in 46 games and was traded from the Carolina Panthers midway through the 2017 season. He had spent his entire career under HC Ron Rivera/ OC Mike Shula's scheme in an outside alignment receiving most of his targets in the intermediate/deep range helped by Cam Newton's arm strength. He struggled under Rick Dennison's play-action/comeback route scheme as well as with Tyrod Taylor who possessed less arm strength than Newton. Possesses elite height and arm length to complement his large frame while possessing marginal top-end speed and agility but good acceleration. Has good release from an outside alignment against off-man coverage and closes the gap in a threatening manner to the defender while maintaining a good and consistent route stem. Has very good mental processing against off zone coverage (especially cover 3) and gets proper depth before breaking off/settling down his route into the open area. Very good separation quickness on routes where he doesn't have to stop and start his momentum such as In/Out routes or Post/Corner routes, uses head and shoulder fakes before whipping his upper body and flipping hips in the opposite direction. Effective on corner-post or post-corner routes by carrying out the double move a little longer allowing him to change his momentum easier. Has very good body control either contorting his body to adjust to the ball and has very good play strength to box out a defender breaking on the ball especially on quick slants against off-man coverage or late throws. Complementing his body control, he has very good, elite sized hands and extends his arms catching with his hands high or low as well as inside and outside his frame both while in motion or stationary. Has good jumping ability to complement his size and arm length making him a valuable receiver on the goal line. Has solid YAC against smaller defenders utilizing his stiff arm and against slower linebackers due to his acceleration. Displays competitive toughness in the passing game especially in the 4^th quarter with over 81% of his receptions in the 4^th quarter resulting in first downs. Has marginal release in an outside alignment against press man coverage against a physical corner that is able to get into his chest and slow his momentum. Has marginal foot speed to blow by a defender on a go route from an outside or inside alignment as well as having marginal foot speed and separation quickness on short-range routes such as quick In/Out, drag, zig from an outside or inside alignment where he cannot build up momentum. Shows poor competitive toughness in the run game displaying poor effort and an inability to drop his hips and move to sustain a block. Marginal ability to create YAC against a bigger, physical corner due to his poor agility and marginal foot speed. Overall, Kelvin Benjamin is a Starting Outside Possession Wide Receiver you can win with utilizing his very good hands, body control, and separation quickness on intermediate/deep range routes from an outside alignment against off man or zone coverage where he does not have to stop and start his momentum. Displays competitive toughness in the passing game to convert when the team needs him most but lacks this competitive toughness in the running game where he is a liability. Will struggle against physical corners in press, short-range routes, being in an inside alignment, and will have difficulties creating YAC.