Jarius Wright: Minnesota Vikings WR gets contract extension

The Minnesota Vikings have given a contract extension to another of their young players, signing WR Jarius Wright to a new deal reportedly worth $14.8 million over four years.

Wright’s deal is reportedly added on to his current contract which is set to expire after 2015, so Wright is under the Vikings’ control through the 2019 season.

The 25-year-old Wright was drafted by the Vikings out of Arkansas in the fourth round in 2012. He played in seven games his rookie season, catching 22 balls for 310 yards and 2 TDs.

Wright played in all 16 games in 2013 including three starts, catching 26 passes for 434 yards and 3 TDs with a not-bad 16.7 YPC average. He played all 16 again last year including seven starts, catching 42 balls for 588 yards and 2 TDs.

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Wright’s most explosive single game came in 2014 when he shredded the Atlanta Falcons defense for 132 yards on 8 catches. He had another nice game later in the season against the Jets, catching four passes for 123 yards with 1 TD.

Wright has been durable over his career and he provides nice versatility as a guy who can line up in the slot and also outside. He’s not a primary weapon by any means but he has proven to be a good complementary player.

The Vikings figure to use Wright primarily as a slot man this year with Charles Johnson and Mike Wallace handling outside duties, though if matchups dictate, Norv Turner can certainly move those men around.

If the Vikings’ offense functions well, meaning Mike Wallace and Charles Johnson are making life tough on the outside, then there should be lots of opportunities over-the-middle for Wright.

The Vikings may also eventually try to mix in rookie Stefon Diggs who has shown nice ball-skills, downfield speed and open-field moves in his short time in Minnesota.

And Cordarrelle Patterson…I guess just give him something shiny to play with?

Wright becomes the second 2012 draft pick to receive a new deal from the Vikings in 2015, the first being kicker Blair Walsh (who hasn’t exactly lived up to it so far but it’s early yet).

2012 fourth overall pick Matt Kalil is still waiting for his extension as is Harrison Smith, but the Vikings are in no hurry with either man as the team holds fifth year options on both.

Next: Mick Tingelhoff enters Hall of Fame

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