3 Stefanski linked free agents that could alter Cleveland Browns draft plans
By Randy Gurzi
2. Jarius Wright, WR
Kevin Stefanski joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 as an assistant to the head coach and from there, he continued to take on different roles until becoming the offensive coordinator in 2018. While he was never the wide receiver coach, he did work with the quarterbacks for many of those years and that gave him some up-close looks as their receivers.
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One such wideout who was there for six years with Stefanski is Jarius Wright, who joined Minnesota in 2012 as a fourth-round draft pick. During his time with the Vikings, he proved to be a solid pass-catcher, pulling in 153 passes for 2,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also added 111 yards on eight rushes.
He was never the No. 1 wideout for the team but was effective nonetheless. His best season so far since joining the NFL came in 2014 when he had 588 yards and two scores. He was eventually released and spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2018, he was able to haul in 43 receptions for 447 yards and a score but took a step back this season. Then again, the whole team did as they were without Cam Newton and wound up firing head coach Ron Rivera.
The Browns could use a veteran wideout to play alongside OBJ and Jarvis Landry, especially with Antonio Callaway being released and Rashard Higgins possibly on the way out. Wright, who is 30-years-old, wouldn’t be a long-term answer but he could keep them from having to use a pick on a receiver too early in the draft.