Carolina Panthers: Jarius Wright comes up big on Sunday
The Carolina Panthers would be wise to keep getting him the football.
Jarius Wright is playing exactly how the Carolina Panthers expected him to. With so many mouths to feed at the wide receiver position, Wright has proven to be a solid wide receiver. So far, he is putting up numbers that show he can truly be an explosive and reliable weapon.
On the year, Wright has 10 catches for 126 yards. Averaging 12.6 yards per catch, a 33-yard grab against the Arizona Cardinals has been his longest to this point in the season. Sunday, he had his best game of the season. He caught five passes for 59 yards, averaging 11.8 yards per catch. He proved to be a factor in the team’s win over Houston.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
Perhaps his best play of the day was a vertical catch on third-and-four. Going up against cornerback Bradley Roby, he made a sensational grab on what was a well-thrown ball from quarterback Kyle Allen. The catch itself was a microcosm of what was a great day for Wright. He seemed to be in all the right places on Sunday.
When he was acquired by the Carolina Panthers last March, I don’t expect him to be the team’s go-to weapon. So far, that has proven to be the case. He has not put up numbers that will get him to the Pro Bowl, but he has been a very dependable receiver through his first two seasons with the team. Last year, he caught 43 passes, totaling 447 yards and a touchdown.
So far, he has had at least one game per season in which he has been a playmaking weapon for the Panthers. Last year, it came on September 16th against the Atlanta Falcons. He caught seven passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. He showed he could be a viable vertical threat, averaging 12.4 yards per catch.
It was great to see him have an impactful presence on the game Sunday. He certainly showed his veteran prowess and helped out a second-year quarterback that has proven to be a difference maker. It will be interesting to see if the Allen-Wright connection continues. Wright may not be the first option at receiver, but he has proven he can show up when needed. Sunday was just a further example of that. I can to see how he progresses throughout the rest of the season.