The Carolina Panthers might have just lost their leading wide receiver, but the team is certainly not short on confidence. Kelvin Benjamin is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL in training camp which has led the Panthers to figure out how to best replace him. With questions already in their depth at the position, head coach Ron Rivera holds full confidence in rookie Devin Funchess to step up.
With Benjamin out, the Panthers must retool their offense to help Cam Newton. According to NFL.com, the Panthers could easily sign a free agent off the market. Wes Welker is likely the best available after finishing a stint with the Denver Broncos. Reggie Wayne, Brandon Lloyd and Santonio Holmes are also available for the taking as any of the veteran options would sign for cheap and a low-risk, high-reward type of player for Carolina. However, Rivera is confidence in Funchess who was drafted in the second round this year.
"Absolutely, that should help a lot. He is really a solid young man," Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. "He knows two positions, and obviously he'll concentrate on Kelvin's and work to handle that spot for us. We drafted Devin Funchess for a reason and this is one of them. You want to have a big, quality receiver, and Devin gives us that still."
The issue is getting Funchess on the field. The rookie wide receiver is currently dealing with a hamstring strain that is keeping him off the field for the time being. Rivera told the media that he believed Funchess would return on Monday as the issue was not overly serious. Outside of the rookie, the Panthers have go-to tight end Greg Olsen and a slew of veterans. Jerricho Cotchery, Jarrett Boykin and Ted Ginn Jr highlight the group. Rivera believes the team has the depth to take care of the loss of Benjamin and prevent the Panthers from signing others.
"We had an unfortunate situation yesterday with Kelvin (Benjamin). He'll get taken care of, he'll have his surgery and everything in due time," Rivera said. "We've got to find answers for that, whether it's a player stepping up or it's by committee. But we've got to find the solution. And we will, because we've got plenty of time right now. We've got the vet in (Jerricho Cotchery) and we've got some young guys that are really fighting and battling and doing a great job."
The run game will also be an area of focus. Jonathan Stewart steps up as the leading running back and a fantasy home run draft pick. Fozz Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert will also be relied upon heavily.