Kelvin Benjamin said he purposely ran a slower than usual 40 in order to play for the Carolina Panthers.

“Because I wanted to play for the Carolina Panthers,’’ said Benjamin, noting he has been clocked at 4.41 seconds, which would have been fifth fastest at the combine.

Benjamin was drafted with the 28th overall pick.

Brandin Cooks was the fastest receiver of the class, running at 4.33 seconds.

“He’s fast, man,’’ Benjamin said of Cooks. “He beats you over the top. That’s what he does.’’