100 in 100: Arrelious Benn (42 of 100)
by Drew K on Feb 22, 2010 2:00 PM PST
in 100 in 100 (2010)
38 comments
Entering the 2009 college football season, Arrelious Benn was one of the higher regarded wide receivers in the nation. Comparisons were being drawn to players like Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward and for the most part still are. He is not your prototypical wide receiver and is one of the rare breed of bigger, more physical wide outs.
Benn decided this year after the season ended for the Fighting Illini to forgo his Senior year and enter the NFL Draft. This past season, Benn disappointed those who were spouting off high praise after his performance in 2008 of the Illinois Receiver. His numbers dropped dramatically from his '08 Season to the '09 Season. Although Benn's number's dropped considerably, it was not entirely his fault. Catching passes from a subpar Quarterback and playing in a run first offense can sometimes hurt a receivers stock. If you take a look inside the numbers of Illinois Quarterback Juice Williams, you will realize fairly quickly that Benn did not have much to work with. Williams was more of a running back than a Quarterback much like current San Francisco 49er Michael Robinson was at Penn State. There were only a couple occasions this past season where Williams went over 200 yards passing... let me say that again so it sinks in.... 200 Yards Passing.
Arrelious Benn, (a.k.a. "Rejus"), has plenty of upside and probably made the wrong choice in the school he decided to attend. He could of had phenomenal numbers and been considered possibly as the top rated receiver in the nation had he gone to a more aerial-prone offense. I do believe that Benn will have a chance to shine at the combine and earn himself a 1st Round selection but there is a good chance that he could fall in to the 2nd Round also. His performance this week will promote or demote his stock as is the case with most players participating in the events at the Combine. Should Benn fall in to the 2nd Round, he will be a steal for whoever snatches him up in my personal view.
After the jump here, we'll take a look in to some of the stats and highlights of Benn's collegiate career.
This is a great video that runs close to 10 Minutes, if you have the time, it's definitely worth viewing in it's entirety. If you do get a chance, you will notice that Benn seems to be very sure-handed, very physical, has decent moves, and decent speed. His route running needs to be polished and fine tuned but it's not so sloppy that it won't take but a training camp and preseason to fix.
CAREER STATS:
| Stats Overview | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||
| YEAR | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2007 | 54 | 676 | 12.5 | 56 | 2 | 32 | 158 | 4.9 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 67 | 1055 | 15.7 | 54 | 3 | 23 | 101 | 4.4 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 38 | 490 | 12.9 | 58 | 2 | 7 | 23 | 3.3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Regular Season Game Log | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||||
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 9/5 | Missouri | L 37-9 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9/12 | Illinois State | W 45-17 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9/26 | @Ohio State | L 30-0 | 4 | 33 | 8.3 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/3 | Penn State | L 35-17 | 5 | 96 | 19.2 | 49 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/10 | Michigan State | L 24-14 | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/17 | @Indiana | L 27-14 | 9 | 95 | 10.6 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/24 | @Purdue | L 24-14 | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10/31 | Michigan | W 38-13 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 11/7 | @Minnesota | W 35-32 | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11/14 | Northwestern | L 21-16 | 4 | 31 | 7.8 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11/27 | @Cincinnati | L 49-36 | 3 | 59 | 19.7 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12/5 | Fresno State | L 53-52 | 2 | 61 | 30.5 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SUMMARY AND PROJECTION:
Benn quite possibly has what it takes to be a worthy 1st Round selection, but because of his numbers (as mentioned above) he could very well fall in to the 2nd Round. In fact, a lot of the experts think he will indeed be a 2nd Round selection. Some of the teams that could potentially go after Benn in the 1st are the Bengals, Ravens, Cowboys, Jets, and Chargers. I don't expect there to be a large amount of wide receivers taken in the 1st Round, 2 to 4 tops but Benn could very well be one of those guys. Benn stands 6'2" and weighs roughly 220 LBS.
Possibilities -- 1st Round; Picks 20-32, 2nd Round; Picks 33-64.
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he'll be a steal in the second
It’s not often you can get a WR with his tools down that low.
I think he’ll go in the first. Some team will fall in love with his physicality. Benn just punishes DB’s, they don’t want any part of him.
by microwave donut on Feb 22, 2010 2:21 PM PST up reply actions
to add onto that, a 1st rounder for a WR with 38 catches for less than 500 yards w/2 TDs?
I know it’s due to the offense, but 1st round is too high for Benn. He has talent, but not going to WOW teams (ie Raiders) due to his speed.
By Comparison, Crabtree had 97 Receptions when he came out, and 19 TDs. Benn goes in 2nd, and he should be happy. Heck Crabtree had almost as many catches his FRESHMAN season as Benn had his WHOLE Collegiate Career (134 vs 159). I think what will stand out with Benn though is his Soph season when he averaged 15.7 yards per catch, Crabtree’s best season was 14.6 ypc.
Here's one for you, Drew ...
It’s the 49ers pick at number 49. All of the top (i.e., round 1-3 ranking) safeties and cornerbacks are gone. Both Demaryius Thomas and Arrelious Benn are available. Who do you pick and why?
by 49erFanSince1950 on Feb 22, 2010 2:27 PM PST reply actions
Interesting question... and glad you asked.
There are pros and cons to both really. Thomas now with the foot and Benn with his production or lack there of. They both had pretty awful Quarterbacks at their respective schools so those two things cancel each other out. Benn didn’t break his foot practicing for the combine so edge there. Thomas had the better production of the two so edge there.
Pre-combine, and based off of what they both did, I would have to lean toward Thomas still. Although, if Benn has an outstanding combine and still ends up falling in to our lap in the 2nd, I would consider changing my mind. I think they both have tremendous upside and chose the wrong schools to go to. Had either one of them gone to a pass happy football team in college, we would not be having this discussion because they’d both be hands down first-rounders alongside Bryant.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
I'd take Benn
I think Thomas is a 2nd rounder now.
Besides, Benn just wows me more than Thomas.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Feb 23, 2010 3:50 PM PST up reply actions
Gotta love Thomas’ stiff arm though. He man-handles DB’s.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
I'll give him that.
But I just like Benn a lot more.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Feb 24, 2010 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
And ...
We have already drafted Spiller and an OT in the first round.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Feb 22, 2010 2:28 PM PST reply actions
whaaaat?
that’s what were doing grabbing special teamers/running backs so now where the dallas cowboys of the west coast so let’s just trade coffee on draft day since obviously that was a wasted pick,
Don't kid yourself
Spiller is one of the best players in the draft this year, and we have the luxury of picking him because of our two first rounders. Coffee is going to learn from the bench and give Gore a breather when necessary, but Spiller is going to be on the field alongside Gore. Just face it, Spiller is going to us in the first round and we’ll be better for it.
by 9thevolution on Feb 23, 2010 7:12 AM PST up reply actions
i cant see us taking a wr in the 2nd unless he has exceptional return skills. if we take spiller we’ve accomplished that. id rather go with another OL, DL, or CB
Here's why...
We need more playmakers on offense … in addition to Spiller as a RB/WR/KR/PR (assumed to be picked at 13 or 16/17). Why a WR in Round 2? First, because IMO neither Morgan, Hill, or Jones will ever be OUTSTANDING #2 receivers, and maybe not #3 either; to be an elite team we can’t settle for mediocre! Second, we cannot get an OUTSTANDING #2 WR any lower than the second round; and these two only fall out of round 1 because of unusual circumstances.
We an get a very good (not outstanding) OG in round 3, a very good (not outstanding) safety in round 4, and an above-average corner in round 5 or 6. I would opt to select a slot WR in round 5 (maybe Freddie Barnes from Bowling Green if he lasts that long) then a corner (hopefully Walter Thurmond from Oregon) in round 6 if I were in McC’s chair.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Feb 22, 2010 3:54 PM PST up reply actions
Id say both Benn and Thomas are good wr prospects. At this point i wouldnt label them outstanding, because they havent proved that. Only time will tell if they are outstanding or not. I wouldnt flat out say that we cant get an outstanding wr any later than the 2nd. Drew just said Thomas broke his foot and if he cant run at the combine or a pro day, like Crabtree couldnt (who also fell), he could conceivably fall to the third.
With Spiller, Gore, Crabtree and Davis we would have a plethora of offensive weapons, and more than most teams. By NFL standards the chances of us getting an above average corner in the 5th-6th may be stretching it. We lucked out with Tarrel Brown who fell because of character concerns and even he would be considered average by non-49ers fans
so alex smith will be completing passes of his @ss with these above average lineman that youre talking about getting 4 that argument we can get above average special teamers in the 4th round i here people keep saying spiller we need play makers we can grab all the offensive elite players in the draft but if our inept OC jimmy raye and singletey don’t open the offense up we will still be imputent on offense!!
How bout a STUD
Why dont we give up a 1st for Brandon Marshall who is a STUD which will enable our inept
QB to have a playmaker along with Crabs and VD ?
a first round BUST!
but to be a first round BUST, you must first be a first round pick, and I am sure Benn will be one.
WRs with his size and speed never drop to the 2nd round
Just curious.. what exactly leads you to believe he’s going to be a bust?
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
Based on Niners brass, COULD be....
….lack of production, not a 4 year starter, and not from LARGE premier conference.
But the tangibles are there in regards to ability. He catches virtualy everything thrown his way. It’s not his fault he wasn’t targeted that much. He was lucky to see a a pass last year. Plus, a single name should clear it up any doubt… Juice Williams.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
I can't believe no one outside of Drew (and of course my self eh hem)(jk)
Can see that the offense the kids played in dictate the numbers they put. up. D Thomas and Benn could both end up being better pros than Bryant. Benn accomplished a lot at that miserable school, but it will send him to the second round. I think my first mock was a heavy WR mock and had him going to the Ravens, but he can be a good addition for a team looking for a sleeper number 1 ala, anquan boldin.
Tribute to #42 Ronnie Lott
I'm not saying they won't be good...
Drew just asked what durst believed would be the reason for him being a bust….
All I’m saying was that the Niners Brass COULD think those things would be flags for them being a bust. I know typically Niners Brass wants someone to show production, be from a large conference, and be a long term starter.
Again, I’m not saying this is the truth, just saying, what maybe the Niner’s brass is thinking, or why durst thought that.
I agree with your poinst about the 49ers brass
It seems that they like to target players with the attributes you mentioned above.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Feb 23, 2010 3:52 PM PST up reply actions
Its funny...
the only 2 times all year seeing any Brandon Jones action,
hes jumpin high in the air grabbing the ball ( 1 and 2 ). The first was when he actually had some buzz around him before getting hurt, and second was his “catch one ball, every year, for four years, and make $1 Milli a year” in game catch.
I really hope he steps up, as well as Hill, Zeigs, and, ugh, Battle, To give us some kind of deeper threat aside from Crabs and VD. And I like Morgan’s upside, but he has a short fall down if he moves back from the #2 WR spot. WITH that said, no WR in this draft are needed, but more than happy if someone could upgrade us immediately. Please apply today at 49ers.com haha.
i can see
hill taking that position from josh morgan he has elite speed and ran a 4.3 at the combine brandon jones was a waist of money 2 me now if somebody can give ziegler a twinkie sandwich he would be a real good num. 3 reciever he kind of remind me of henry R.I.P from cincinattii now i don’t know if he has the speed henry had .
A smaller version of Brandon Marshall
Pros
-Tough to take down
-Fast, deceptive speed
-Very good at adjusting to poorly thrown passes
Cons
-Plays when he wants to}
-Inconsistent hands} Both of these can be blamed on his focus level.
1.Trent Williams 1.Brandon Graham 2. Syd Thompson 3.Torell Troup 4.Andrew Quarless 5.John Jerry 6.Mike Kafka 7.Quinton Andrews 7.Preston Parker
When your con is "play when he wants to"
It means you need a strong veteran locker room to be on you.
The Ravens or Jets would be the perfect place for this kid.
I have him mocked going to the Ravens
would hate it if he was a Jet. Sanchez gets enough help..from the OL, Receiving TE, 2 good WRs, a defense he can fall back on, a Special Teams that creates good field position, an OC that’s unpredictable yet effective..Last thing I need to see is Benn on the Jets. Living only 2 minutes away from NY, I watch all their games. Sanchez gets enough hype. Jets I think will go CB or LDE.. As the nation saw.. Lito/Lowery couldn’t cover a tip at a restaurant . And Shaun Ellis’ is getting old and has an injured hand. Jets will again have the #1 defense in 2010.
1.Trent Williams 1.Brandon Graham 2. Syd Thompson 3.Torell Troup 4.Andrew Quarless 5.John Jerry 6.Mike Kafka 7.Quinton Andrews 7.Preston Parker
The Ravens is where I think he should and will end up
They need to get Flaaco a WR. With the leaders on that team, I can’t see him playing when he wants to.
Jets will again have the #1 defense in 2010.
I strongly disagree.
I think the 49ers defense will be #1 (by DVOA standards, of course).
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Feb 23, 2010 3:54 PM PST up reply actions
'' those 2 words said it all''
when i read that article those comparisons 2 michael robinson killed it 4 me to me robinson should be called ‘’ Mr. irrelavent "" why this dude is still on my team is a mystery he’s taking up a spot when are the niners stop holding on 2 these scrubs robinson,battle,roman, these dudes wouldn’t be on playoff caliber teams.I know that article is about benn but when i heard michael robinson name it trigger my pissed of gene i’m just tired of seeing scrubs on my team roman gets burned on the last play in minnesota wow that’s old news he’s always getting burned why put him in the game battle runs like he’s in quik sand why is he on the team like tlc said ‘’ no more scrubs ’’.
Robinson
Is consistently one of the best special teamers in the league. He has made the pro bowl strictly for his special teams play and was voted a team captian. I don’t think he’s a quality running back, but he’s better than some other scrub we could have that doesn’t contribute anything.
by 9thevolution on Feb 23, 2010 7:22 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t think he caught one ball with his hands, everything was cradled into his body. He has size and ran downhill well but he seems way to raw to be a 1st round pick. Not only his hands but he seems to jump and break step with catch and his pattern running needs improvement. I’d even hesitate to draft him in the 2nd round. He might turn out to be a great player but he looks like a serious development project.
Picking him too high is putting expectations on him he could not meet. He is better off getting drafted later and spending two years on the bench developing his fundamentals, than his raw skills can take over.
Did you watch the full 10 min’s? He caught about 75% of the passes with his hands, the other 25% were off the mark and he had no choice but to catch it the way he ended up catching them.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
Did anyone else notice
at the very beginning of the video, it lists VD as his favorite NFL player?
Awesome!
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