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TE Devin Funchess, Lions (2 Viewers)

Why? What's the big difference? I have them in a dead heat. DGB just has Josh Gordon written all over him.
I have Funchess and not DGB. But DGB ran a 4.5 at the combine and Funchess ran a 4.7. Bit of a dif there if you are into that sort of thing. Funchess ran a better time at his pro day, but everybody does. DGB just has a mystique to him that Funchess doesn't seem to.

 
If everybody runs better at their pro day, why did DGB stand pat on his 4.5 time. Imagine if he'd have shaved .2 off his time like Funchess did? Funches ran 4.47 and 4.53 at his pro day.

I don't buy that.

 
Why? What's the big difference? I have them in a dead heat. DGB just has Josh Gordon written all over him.
DGB has whatever risk you feel like associating with him. But I've been watching him play since he was in highschool, he's more physically gifted than Funchess in ever regard (except his little man hands.)

I obviously like Funchess too but I'm just saying between the two I'd rather have the guy I know is better than his combine by quite a bit.

 
I don't watch much college football. I just don't have the time. But I've heard about DGB for years. But most of it was bad, and what if type of stuff. I think if both had AJ Green's character, I'd probably lean DGB too because he was picked before Funchess. But to be honest, his character reminds me of Josh Gordon. Just bad judgement all day every day. It's a long long offseason, and with the bad character guys, you have the chance of losing an asset 365 days a year.

 
He might be better than Kelvin. Remember Kelvin was only picked 13 spots ahead of Funchess. And he outperformed expectations last year.

 
Rotoworld:

ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton says rookie Devin Funchess will play wide receiver.

This is not surprising news. The Panthers have one of the best tight ends in the league in Greg Olsen and a huge need at wide receiver. It is a reminder Funchess possess a raw-but-limited skill set and could end up topping out as a big slot receiver in the NFL. Despite his limitations, Funchess should easily beat out slow-footed Jericho Cotchery for the No. 2 receiver role in Carolina.

Source: ESPN.com
May 30 - 10:45 AM
 
"Newton and rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess are building a rapport...pair connected quite a bit on Thursday." http://pnth.rs/1EYs6MQ

Some Devin Funchess OTA footage in this video. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yAIo5dKN-bY

Ron Rivera on Devin Funchess:

"he's a good route runner, he really is."

"There's been no issue with Devin. He's done a nice job...learned all 3 of our WR positions"

 
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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article23134233.html

By Jonathan Jones

jjones@charlotteobserver.com

Before being drafted by the Carolina Panthers, wide receiver Devin Funchess was already working on catching passes from a strong-armed quarterback.

Funchess, training at Michigan, turned up the JUGS machine to its highest level to prepare for the next level. That will come in handy this week, with Funchess, the Panthers’ second-round pick, on the other end of throws from strong-armed quarterback Cam Newton.

“He’s only got one speed, so that’s all I can say,” Funchess said. “It’s fast. It comes in hot."

Newton’s velocity is a constant, but where Funchess will be on the field is not.

Funchess has lined up at three different receiver positions since joining the Panthers last month. He’s been in positions where the Panthers usually play their No. 1 (X) and No. 2 (Z) receivers and at a spot closer to the offensive line (F receiver).

Funchess said knowing all three positions is his job, and he said he didn’t have a favorite.

“All of them,” he said. “Wherever I can go get the ball at.”

He’s gotten the ball plenty so far. He he has been one of the primary targets for Newton during organized team activities with second-year receiver Kelvin Benjamin sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Funchess has worked almost exclusively with the first-team offense the past two weeks, missing only one practice – to attend the NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles.

While not basking in Benjamin’s limitations, Funchess knows it presents him with a unique opportunity to shine.

“It puts the pressure on me to learn it because they’re going to need me out there,” Funchess said. “It’s speeding up the learning process.”

At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, Funchess could be a matchup nightmare. He gets in and out of his breaks quickly and runs good routes.

His height usually wins out against cornerbacks and his speed beats linebackers inside when he plays a hybrid tight end role.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Funchess’ strengths have been “showing his versatility and playing the different positions.”

“He’s a good route runner, he really is,” Rivera said. “And he’s shown the ability to go up and get the ball. His catch radius is really good, and with Cam it helps.”

His want to know all the positions was borne out of frustration, and he regularly looks to veterans like Jerricho Cotchery for extra tips.

“I’m a winner. I hate losing whether it’s in practice or in the game,” Funchess said. “It frustrates me when some people don’t get it so I just make sure I know everything so I can tell somebody. Just like what Cotch is doing with me in case I don’t know. It’s just making sure I know all the positions and helping everybody else out.”

In a two-minute drill at Thursday’s OTAs, Funchess hauled in a touchdown against veteran cornerback Charles Tillman. Newton whistled a pass to Funchess in the back-left corner of the end zone that the rookie nabbed out of the air.

It was one of the hardest-thrown balls all day, and Funchess brought it in for a score after months of training.

“This was a first,” said Funchess with a smile of playing with a quarterback with an arm like Newton. “(Wednesday) he got me with one. I was surprised because it was this close and,” Funchess whistled, “threw it in there like that.

“I just got to get used to it.”

Jones: 704-358-5323; Twitter: @jjones9
 
I don't watch much college football. I just don't have the time. But I've heard about DGB for years. But most of it was bad, and what if type of stuff. I think if both had AJ Green's character, I'd probably lean DGB too because he was picked before Funchess. But to be honest, his character reminds me of Josh Gordon. Just bad judgement all day every day. It's a long long offseason, and with the bad character guys, you have the chance of losing an asset 365 days a year.
I'm just glad the Titans didn't end up with Winston and DGB. :popcorn:

As for Funchess, his talent is certainly there and it isn't surprising to see he's playing with the first team, they want him to win the role. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised to see him falter and lose snaps to both Stephen Hill and Corey Brown.

 
http://www.carolinahuddle.com/index.html/articles/player-of-the-day-devin-funchess-r530/

By Jeremy Igo

Thursday at 12:32 PM

Last week it was Corey Brown, but this week Devin Funchess returned to the practice field and grabbed the heralded "Carolina Huddle Player of the Day" award.

Devin had an impressive outing in his first practice open to the media with Cam Newton throwing to him.

Funchess never catches the ball with his body. He is a full time hands catcher, which is something all coaches love to see. Less chance for the ball bouncing off the chest means fewer incompletions or interceptions.

Funchess saw time on the outside as well as in the slot. He played in 2 wide and 3 wide sets. He spent most of his time on the field playing opposite Corey Brown. These two seem to compliment each other very nicely.

For the majority of the snaps he was covered by new Panthers CB Peanut Tillman. In a practice two minute drill, Funchess bodied Tillman out of the way for a touchdown strike from Newton. Funchess was asked what it was like playing against Tillman after practice.

"You've got to use your strength against his, and just play my technique."

Tillman was not at all happy about being shoved around by the rookie. At 6'2 and 198 pounds, Tillman isn't exactly a small corner. If today's practice was any indication for the upcoming season, the Panthers are matching up nicely against teams with larger corners like Seattle.
 
I love hearing this about Funchess. I'd feel much better that Cam is getting a little more accurate with his passes.

I'm trying not to have a knee jer reaction and trade Kelvin before my rookie draft but I will wait more time before I do something I will regret.

GM

 
http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Funchess-a-quick-study/f9337eab-66a1-49b0-8073-95b6a7a5b735

Funchess a quick study

Posted Jun 9, 2015

Max Henson Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE – Devin Funchess' size and athleticism makes a good first impression. But the Carolina coaching staff is just as excited about his intelligence.

During organized team activities, the rookie has already displayed knowledge off all three wide receiver positions.

"It's huge," wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl said. "He can fill in for anybody. That helps us tremendously."

Which one – X, Y or Z – does the 6-foot-4 Funchess prefer?

"I like all of them," Funchess said. "Wherever I can go get the ball."

Proehl had a feeling Funchess would pick up the Panthers' offense quickly. When Proehl visited him at the University of Michigan for a pre-draft workout, he found that Funchess had all the answers.

"He was spitting everything back right away," Proehl said. "He even knows blocking assignments from the line because of playing tight end in college. That kind of sealed the deal. We really don't need to ask this kid that much. He's obviously been taking notes."

Funchess won't play tight end for the Panthers, but his experience on the line expanded his knowledge of offensive concepts. In college, he was a player teammates could turn to for help during film sessions.

"I'm a winner. I hate losing," Funchess said. "It frustrates me when some people don't get it, so I just make sure I know everything so I can help somebody else out."

Funchess helped himself by rigorously studying the playbook even when losses and coaching turmoil made things challenging at Michigan. That commitment prepared him for the learning process that would inevitably take place in the NFL.

"You can tell he's emotional about it," Proehl said. "The end of his college experience wasn't great. I flat out told him, 'Michigan is done. You are in a great situation now.' He's embraced that.

"He's been amazing learning our offense," Proehl added. "Now we have to fine tune it on the field."

Between the lines, Funchess' strengths have quickly become apparent. He's a big, fluid athlete. Proehl now has to polish his technique so those strengths can be maximized in Carolina's offense.

"We're working on putting his foot in the ground and changing direction," Proehl said. "He kind of rounds everything, and we have to break him out of that. It's a different animal. We run a lot of comebacks, curls, slants, post corners. You have to put your foot in the ground and accelerate out of the cut.

"And he just has to learn the physicality of the NFL. Defensive backs are going to hold and grab you. He has to learn to play physical. But he'll pick it up. He's very observant, and it won't take him long."

Funchess has already proven his willingness to learn, and that's an all–important first step. When the coaching points become second-nature, Proehl believes everyone will see why the Panthers moved up 16 spots to select Funchess in the second round.

"In my mind," Proehl said, "we got a steal."

Earlier in June, Funchess attended the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, which exposes 40 rookies to marketing opportunities. The players also take part in a photo shoot, featured below. You'll notice quarterback Jameis Winston, who was selected No.1 overall by the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is pictured with Funchess. They've been friends since high school and there's already been some NFC South trash talk.

"Oh yeah," Funchess said. "I tell him all the time he's guaranteed two losses every year."
 
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Shaq Thompson, Devin Funchess, Daryl Williams could start for Carolina PanthersExcerpt:

Why Devin Funchess could start: The Panthers want to create mismatches to help quarterback Cam Newton. The 6-foot-4 rookie wide receiver out of Michigan does that with his height against smaller defensive backs, and with his speed. Many thought Carolina erred by not drafting a pure speed receiver to play opposite 2014 first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin (6-5). But Funchess is deceptively fast for a big receiver (he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at his pro day.) He also can play all three receiver positions. He looks just as comfortable in the slot as he does spread wide, which gives offensive coordinator Mike Shula more flexibility. That makes Funchess even more of a mismatch since slot defensive backs typically are much shorter. With Funchess and Benjamin, along with 6-5 Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, the Panthers can spread the field. That will prevent opponents from putting eight players in the box to stop the run, as they often did last season. That also will give Newton more options to run or pass. It also should make it easier on a suspect offensive line to block since it won't have to account for an extra player.
 
Rotoworld:

ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton "really expect(s)" Devin Funchess to "play a big role."

Funchess worked at X, Z and slot during OTAs -- and he "looked good doing it." The second-round rookie will be playing a ton of snaps opposite Kelvin Benjamin beginning in Week 1. The question is if Funchess will be able to capitalize on his unique size and athleticism after disappointing badly at Michigan last year. He's a risky bet anywhere before the 14th round or so.

Source: ESPN.com
Jun 29 - 11:03 AM
 
Rotoworld:

Rookie Panthers WR Devin Funchess blames his disappointing junior season at Michigan on a toe injury.

"We never got to see the full Devin Funchess at Michigan because I did play one season at wide receiver, and I was battling through an injury," Funchess said last week. "I think up here in the NFL I can make some damage." At 6-foot-4, 232 pounds, Funchess certainly has the size to be an NFL difference maker, but has questionable speed. He ran 4.70 at the Combine before improving at his Pro Day. As a Wolverine, Funchess didn't always fight for the ball in the air, and disappointed after the catch. He'll be a wild card opposite second-year pro Kelvin Benjamin.

Source: Detroit News
Jun 29 - 2:56 PM
 
He sure is getting a lot of media attention lately. In drafts last month, I saw him going 20-28 or so pretty much.

Is he creeping up now or staying the same?

 
Shutout said:
He sure is getting a lot of media attention lately. In drafts last month, I saw him going 20-28 or so pretty much.

Is he creeping up now or staying the same?
My early June draft he went 20th to me and I thought I got a steal. I doubt he goes that low if we drafted right now...

 
Shutout said:
He sure is getting a lot of media attention lately. In drafts last month, I saw him going 20-28 or so pretty much.

Is he creeping up now or staying the same?
My early June draft he went 20th to me and I thought I got a steal. I doubt he goes that low if we drafted right now...
Hard to believe he is going that late in June. I got him at 21 in my 1st draft right after the NFL draft (early May). Never got him that late since. Been going from 10-14 in every draft since.

 
Shutout said:
He sure is getting a lot of media attention lately. In drafts last month, I saw him going 20-28 or so pretty much.

Is he creeping up now or staying the same?
My early June draft he went 20th to me and I thought I got a steal. I doubt he goes that low if we drafted right now...
Hard to believe he is going that late in June. I got him at 21 in my 1st draft right after the NFL draft (early May). Never got him that late since. Been going from 10-14 in every draft since.
He went 23 and 28 in my IDP leagues in May.

 
Shutout said:
He sure is getting a lot of media attention lately. In drafts last month, I saw him going 20-28 or so pretty much.

Is he creeping up now or staying the same?
My early June draft he went 20th to me and I thought I got a steal. I doubt he goes that low if we drafted right now...
Hard to believe he is going that late in June. I got him at 21 in my 1st draft right after the NFL draft (early May). Never got him that late since. Been going from 10-14 in every draft since.
In fairness, I think the draft was pretty skewed due to four teams having 12 of the first 15 picks, but it did also have a 3 RB run of David Johnson, Duke Johnson, and Jay Ajayi right before I picked Funchess. It was a weird draft...

http://football27.myfantasyleague.com/2015/options?L=33476&O=17

 
Rotoworld:

Devin Funchess - WR - Panthers

Rookie Devin Funchess' fantasy stock is on the rise after the Panthers lost Kelvin Benjamin to a torn ACL.

We wouldn't bet against GM Dave Gettleman exploring the trade market, but for now Funchess is locked into essentially the same role Benjamin played last year. He'll have to sink or swim as Carolina's go-to receiver, with only Jerricho Cotchery, Corey/Philly Brown, and Ted Ginn as legitimate complementary options. A 12th- and 13th-round pick to this point, don't be surprised if Funchess' fantasy Average Draft Position begins to creep into the single-digit rounds. Greg Olsen also should benefit with more targets.

Related: Greg Olsen

Aug 19 - 8:47 PM
 
Rotoworld:

Panthers WR Devin Funchess will focus more on "X" duties following Kelvin Benjamin's season-ending injury.

Funchess had been spending time as the "Z" and slot man, but the Panthers will now focus on turning him into Benjamin's direct replacement. It's an assignment Funchess probably isn't ready for as a rookie. He didn't play nearly as big as his 6-foot-4 frame at Michigan, and showed questionable speed in pre-draft workouts. Still, Funchess' enormous opportunity makes him a WR3 pick with WR2 upside. He's a virtual lock for 100-plus targets.

Source: Jonathan Jones on Twitter

Aug 20 - 5:41 PM
 
Hamstring injury.. This could be another Beckham type deal.
I hope you mean just the injury, I would be amazed if Funchess had 60 percent of the totals that OBJ had.
While if ya recall by chance the injury reports on Beckham? The word on the street was "safe to cut loss's" What was it six weeks later? The kid is lighting up my scoreboard..

The guy is real raw.. However, I kinda already believe the guy has tendencies that may need work. Lets not forget, he wasn't drafted (stolen) until the 2nd round..

I cant think of a better scenario for a Rookie .. He could crash and burn in the 3rd pre-Season game too.

fwiw I drafted Davante, Dorial, and then Devin..

 
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The people who drafted before the injury are lucky if they grabbed Funchess. Funchess could end up doing really well if things go his way. He could be a really good flex or WR 3.

 
Just based on target opportunity alone, he has to move into one of the top overall rookie WRs.

Add in that it's not like trying to squeeze in Anquan Boldin to replace Randy Moss. Both are quite good but the skillset that makes them "them" is different. In this case, its really quite similar. They are comparable physically and Benjamin wasn't a finished project by any means. He was often referred to as the biggest "boom or bust" WR in the draft.

Add in the injuries to Parker, White, things slowing down Perriman, Dorsett being blocked somewhat and Cooper being limited by the fact that he plays on the Raiders and I'm not going to argue if someone wants to say Funchess might be one of the top rooks this year.

 
Just based on target opportunity alone, he has to move into one of the top overall rookie WRs.

Add in that it's not like trying to squeeze in Anquan Boldin to replace Randy Moss. Both are quite good but the skillset that makes them "them" is different. In this case, its really quite similar. They are comparable physically and Benjamin wasn't a finished project by any means. He was often referred to as the biggest "boom or bust" WR in the draft.

Add in the injuries to Parker, White, things slowing down Perriman, Dorsett being blocked somewhat and Cooper being limited by the fact that he plays on the Raiders and I'm not going to argue if someone wants to say Funchess might be one of the top rooks this year.
What about his long-term (dynasty) outlook?

 
Just based on target opportunity alone, he has to move into one of the top overall rookie WRs.

Add in that it's not like trying to squeeze in Anquan Boldin to replace Randy Moss. Both are quite good but the skillset that makes them "them" is different. In this case, its really quite similar. They are comparable physically and Benjamin wasn't a finished project by any means. He was often referred to as the biggest "boom or bust" WR in the draft.

Add in the injuries to Parker, White, things slowing down Perriman, Dorsett being blocked somewhat and Cooper being limited by the fact that he plays on the Raiders and I'm not going to argue if someone wants to say Funchess might be one of the top rooks this year.
Depends what you mean when you say "top." No way he should be above Cooper or Agholor IMO. After that, it's pretty wide open. The highest I could realistically place him is 3. I could see him as low as 7. Somewhere between we lose "top."

 
jurb26 said:
Shutout said:
Just based on target opportunity alone, he has to move into one of the top overall rookie WRs.

Add in that it's not like trying to squeeze in Anquan Boldin to replace Randy Moss. Both are quite good but the skillset that makes them "them" is different. In this case, its really quite similar. They are comparable physically and Benjamin wasn't a finished project by any means. He was often referred to as the biggest "boom or bust" WR in the draft.

Add in the injuries to Parker, White, things slowing down Perriman, Dorsett being blocked somewhat and Cooper being limited by the fact that he plays on the Raiders and I'm not going to argue if someone wants to say Funchess might be one of the top rooks this year.
Depends what you mean when you say "top."No way he should be above Cooper or Agholor IMO. After that, it's pretty wide open. The highest I could realistically place him is 3. I could see him as low as 7. Somewhere between we lose "top."
I don't expect him to finish above Cooper or Agholor but I wouldn't say it is a foregone conclusion in regards to Cooper. Cooper looks as promising as any guy in a while but you simply cannot discount the fact that it is the Raiders with a 2nd year QB and not a lot of support. I know there is more than one article out there that has already touched on just the aspect of "if the Raiders can't stop anyone and they can't find a compliment to Cooper, just how much can Carr will into force feeding a ball to Cooper?"

Wouldn't surprise me either way but I respect the opinions of each side.

 
Ketamine Dreams said:
Shutout said:
Just based on target opportunity alone, he has to move into one of the top overall rookie WRs.

Add in that it's not like trying to squeeze in Anquan Boldin to replace Randy Moss. Both are quite good but the skillset that makes them "them" is different. In this case, its really quite similar. They are comparable physically and Benjamin wasn't a finished project by any means. He was often referred to as the biggest "boom or bust" WR in the draft.

Add in the injuries to Parker, White, things slowing down Perriman, Dorsett being blocked somewhat and Cooper being limited by the fact that he plays on the Raiders and I'm not going to argue if someone wants to say Funchess might be one of the top rooks this year.
What about his long-term (dynasty) outlook?
That's always tricky but Funchess, I think, can be viable long-term. You have to consider that there is nobody in Carolina's pipe to push him out of the way when Benjamin returns and if both those guys are good, will Carolina invest highly in another player that WOULD push him?

Also, as unlikely as it might seem today, we DO have to ask "will Benjamin return to form? If not, the job is Funchess'. Why wouldn't Benjamin rebound? He should but sometimes it takes a long time and doesn't go as planned and with Benjamin being a bigger guy, he could be up to 280 pounds by the time he can rehab effectively. Its not likely (not saying it is), but when really big guys like Mike WIlliams (as example) have to sit a while, getting back into that ideal form is harder than on the average guy.

 
Let me start off by saying that I have never seen Funchess play a single snap in my life, but I did pick him up as a flyer in my draft after hearing about Benjamin's injury. I'm not sure how good or bad he is, but he will have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in Carolina as their wr corp is just horrible without K.Benjamin. I've read some people suggesting that he could put up #2 wr numbers and his floor is that of a #3 wr. That #2 wr talk sounds a little optimistic to me, but again I have never seen him play.

Does anybody have a good read on Funchess one way or the other.

 
Im a lifelong Michigan fan so ive seen him play ALOT. He could be REALLY good if he used his size to his advantage when he plays because he doesnt have great speed, but he doesnt. I dont see WR2 output from him.....maybe WR3.

 
Let me start off by saying that I have never seen Funchess play a single snap in my life, but I did pick him up as a flyer in my draft after hearing about Benjamin's injury. I'm not sure how good or bad he is, but he will have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in Carolina as their wr corp is just horrible without K.Benjamin. I've read some people suggesting that he could put up #2 wr numbers and his floor is that of a #3 wr. That #2 wr talk sounds a little optimistic to me, but again I have never seen him play.

Does anybody have a good read on Funchess one way or the other.
https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/720453-dynasty-redraft-wr-devin-funchess-panthers/page-5

It's on the first freaking page.

 
No clue on him - but the "floor" on a rookie WR is always pretty low, regardless. No way his floor is a #3 - his floor is probably 150yd, 1 TD.

 

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