Playbooks
Choice Deep Drag out of Shotgun Wide 5wr is a five wide route concept built around an option route on the outside paired with a deep drag crossing the field underneath it. The option receiver reads the leverage of his defender and breaks in, out, or sits down, giving you a built in man beater since he can adjust to whatever technique the corner shows. Against zone the deep drag serves as your primary answer, working through the intermediate window from sideline to sideline while the option route occupies the flat or hook defender, so the read progression starts with the option receiver's leverage and works to the drag if the option gets squeezed.
Watch for user controlled linebackers dropping into the drag's throwing lane, since a good lurk defender can sit on this route and jump the throw. Identify single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, these tend to leave the drag open behind the second level as the safety stays deep and corners are locked in man. Look for press man corners on the option route receiver, aggressive press coverage disrupts his release and timing, forcing you to hold the ball longer and take a sack risk. Recognize Cover 2 shells with hard flat corners, this coverage can squeeze the option route while a zone dropping linebacker capped the drag, so be ready to check down. Key on overload blitzes from the defense's boundary side, since a nano blitz can beat the protection before either route develops, requiring a hot route or quick throw to the option side.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the corner over your option route receiver, if he is playing off man or soft zone throw the option route quickly since he will settle underneath.
If the defense shows two high safeties, prioritize the deep drag as it will work through the voided middle of the field zones like Cover 2 or Cover 4.
Use hot routes to convert one of your other outside receivers into a quick hitch or slant if you diagnose an all out blitz, giving yourself a hot read against pressure.
This play pairs well with All Curl and Slot Digs since both hold underneath defenders in similar spots, letting the drag work behind them once the defense starts jumping shorter routes.
Run this on second and medium or third and long since the deep drag needs a few seconds to develop and the option route gives you a built in checkdown against tighter coverage.
Mix in Fake Bubble Slant and RPO Bubble QB Draw earlier in a drive to get defenders flowing downhill before coming back to Choice Deep Drag to attack vacated intermediate zones.