On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers announced they’ve signed wide receiver Jarius Wright to a three-year deal.

At first look, Wright doesn’t appear to be much more than a mediocre productive veteran the past few years. After all, the 28-year-old only made 29 catches for 265 yards and three touchdowns over the past two years, while averaging only 8.55 yards per reception. But it’s important to realize his situation in Minnesota. Wright was relegated to a No. 4 option, at best, with stalwart receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen ahead of him and developing 22-year-old Laquon Treadwell also taking up snaps.

Wright will also be reuniting with offensive coordinator Norv Turner, whom he played under from 2014-16 when he had 1,030 yards on 13.5 yards per reception – a much better split than his previous two years. Wright is a quick, savvy receiver that can catch nearly any football, and with Turner knowing how to utilize him, he may be in for a big year in Carolina.

In an interview with Charlotte media, Wright said he has football intelligence, and the stats would seem to confirm it. Wright caught 42 percent of his career receptions on third down for 955 yards – 47 percent of his career total. Wright works best from the slot, and that’s likely where he will be in 2018, where he will fulfill the role Jericho Cotchery did in 2015 during the Panthers’ Super Bowl run as a reliable chain-mover. Now that we know a bit of his background, let’s look at why Wright was as successful as he was.

Wright excels at finding holes in zones and sitting in them. Here we can see, on third and short, he finds a hole in Miami’s defense and makes a catch to move the chains.

Here we can see Teddy Bridgewater under duress until Wright finds an open spot in the zone.

Wright also rarely drops the ball when targeted.

Here again, he catches the ball between two linebackers and is able to maintain control through the hit.

One of Wright’s most undervalued traits is his route running. He has shown the ability to beat even some of the best corners with his cuts and double moves. Here we can see him use a nasty double move against one of the best corners in the NFL, Richard Sherman.

Watch him make a smooth cut to the outside to move the chains on a third and 10 against the Bears.

Here, Wright gets open and makes the catch before running out of bounds, allowing the Vikings to attempt the game-winning field goal.

The biggest problem with his game may be over-the-top speed. Wright is quick to reach top speed, and his acceleration can make any corner pay. But the 4.42 that he ran at the combine does not always show on tape, as he gets chased down at times.

Here again, we can see him make a catch deep against Green Bay, but get chased down from behind.

Luckily, the majority of the Panthers’ receivers are faster than most, which will free Wright to do what he does best and work underneath the safeties in the middle of the field on slants, flats, curls and digs.

At the end of the day, Wright is not a receiver that will change the tide for the Panthers offense heading into the 2018 season. But he does provide a veteran presence and a reliable third-down option for Cam Newton, who has missed that for most of his career.