Added Value
All of the plays to this point have involved Wright being successful without having to add much to the way the play was designed, but the reason why Wright has been as successful as he has to this point in his career is because of plays like the following:
Here, he is running a vertical route against man coverage and isn’t really open, but it’s third down and Allen takes a risk, putting the ball on Wright’s back shoulder and asking him to make a play – and Wright comes through. This showcased both Wrights hand-eye coordination and body control, and it is the ability to make the most of the chances he gets when the ball is in the air that has made Wright stand out. Jarius Wright is unlikely to ever be more than a high-end rotation receiver, but like former Panthers’ receiver and now coach Jerricho Cotchery – at least when he played for the Panthers – he offers the Panthers a consistent slot option who is able to make plays when asked to.
Via Intel True View, a cool look at Allen-to-Wright third down pitch and catch that led to the Panthers’ only TD pic.twitter.com/BEJUG9fg6H
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) September 29, 2019
In Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore, the Panthers have a pair of explosive young receivers who are able to offer a big play threat from anywhere on the field with the speed to take the top off a defense, but as defenses look to react to them, it may well be Jarius Wright who benefits most as it continues opens up even more space underneath for him to work into.
Wright has ten catches thus far this season – six of them have gone for first downs; when it comes to moving the ball on key downs, it continues to be Jarius Wright that the Panthers look to find.
