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Factoid

Kelvin Benjamin / Rookie wideouts

Back in May we figured either Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans would be the rookie wide receivers to make an immediate impact. A few months later, the smarter guess looks like the guy selected 20-plus picks after them, Kelvin Benjamin.

All of those guys, and Saints wideout Brandin Cooks, have been either starting or playing plenty with the first teams in the exhibitions. (The other first-rounder, Odell Beckham, hasn't been healthy.) Watkins due to a rib injury and poor quarterback play, looks like he'll struggle as a rookie. Evans and Cooks have had moments; we know Cooks will be part of a top-flight passing offense.

But Benjamin has been impressive in almost every game. He played the first half of Carolina's final exhibition, and they threw him 7 passes, 4 of which were completed. He looks like he knows what he's doing out there, and will be Cam Newton's go-to wideout from the get-go.

Here are the top seasons by rookie wideouts since 2000. The list includes the 34 guys who have gone over 700 receiving yards. Maybe Cooks or Evans will also show up among these players this season, but it looks particularly favorable for Benjamin being among them.

TOP ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVERS, 2000-2013
YearRdPlayerTeamNoYdsTD
20032Anquan Boldin Cardinals10113778
20041Michael ClaytonBucs8011937
20111A.J. GreenBengals6510577
20133Keenan AllenChargers7110468
20067Marques ColstonSaints7010388
20071Dwayne BoweChiefs709955
20082Eddie RoyalBroncos919805
20031Andre JohnsonTexans669764
20104Mike WilliamsBuccaneers6596411
20111Julio JonesFalcons549598
20082DeSean JacksonEagles629124
20012Chris ChambersDolphins488837
20121Justin BlackmonJaguars648655
20123T.Y. HiltonColts508617
20041Lee EvansBills488439
20112Torrey SmithRavens508417
20061Santonio HolmesSteelers498243
20041Roy WilliamsLions548178
20122Josh GordonBrowns508055
20131DeAndre HopkinsTexans528022
20091Percy Harvin Vikings607908
20091Hakeem Nicks Giants477906
2011UDoug BaldwinSeahawks517884
20041Larry FitzgeraldCardinals587808
20091Jeremy Maclin Eagles567734
20093Mike Wallace Steelers397566
20071Calvin JohnsonLions487565
20042Keary ColbertPanthers477545
20011Rod GardnerRedskins467414
20133Terrance WilliamsCowboys447365
20022Antonio BryantCowboys447336
20003Darrell JacksonSeahawks537136
20112Greg LittleBrowns617092
20091Kenny Britt Titans427013

--Andy Richardson

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