WR Benjamin: Ran slow on purpose at combine

Kelvin Benjamin might be faster than we think he is. (USATSI)

College players don't generally have any control over which NFL team drafts them -- unless they're Kelvin Benjamin, apparently.

The Panthers rookie wide receiver told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he purposely ran a slow 40 time at the NFL Combine in February "Because I wanted to play for the Carolina Panthers."

Benjamin was the fifth wide receiver taken in May's NFL Draft. At 28th overall, Benjamin was selected behind Brandin Cooks (20th overall pick), Odell Beckham Jr. (12th), Mike Evans (7th) and Sammy Watkins (4th).

All four receivers selected ahead of Benjamin ran a faster 40 than him at the combine, including Cooks, who ran a 4.33, the fastest time of any receiver. Benjamin recorded an official time of 4.61. It's possible that Benjamin could've been drafted higher if he had been a little faster, but not guaranteed, but apparently, he didn't want that.

Back in August, Benjamin said he was faster than most people think he is, something that could have to do with his tanked 40-time.

So what does this all mean? It means Benjamin might have just started a trend that the NFL would hate. For instance, if Jacksonville had a top-five pick and needed a speedy corner, the corner could just tank at the combine if he absolutely didn't want to play for the Jaguars.

Of course, tanking has its risks. If Benjamin had run a 4.41 -- a time he says he can run -- he might have been picked higher and therefore would be making more money.

Why bring up his tanked 40 now? Only Benjamin knows.

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