This Shouldn't Work
When we see a low safety and a cornerback to a solo receiver running a slant we would 90% of the time think that's not a good pre-snap look.
So when I see this exact situation come up in the wild — successfully — it's worth looking at why it worked.
The play is linked at the bottom.
Here are 4 reasons I think they make it work:
Motion Eliminates Any Underneath Threat
The underneath defender runs across the formation with the outside receiver creating no immediate underneath defender to threaten the slant. This also bumps the CB to the solo receiver with outside leverage.
Threat of the Fade
The WR threatens the fade with an outside release and you have to think that's what the safety was worried about. The safety is looking at the release of the WR at the snap and then quickly gets his eyes to the QB while opening his hips toward the receiver. By the time he realizes what's going on, it's too late and the ball is in the air.
WR Slows Down
Once the WR breaks inside, he settles into the space. He knows he can't immediate break hard inside like a normal slant because there is a safety sitting high.
Anticipation from QB
The QB hesitates a second but when he sees the WR defeat collision and win inside leverage, he lets it rip. Any later, and they wouldn't get the play off.
I consider plays like these gold. It's a play that barely makes it, but that's football. The best plays drawn up on the whiteboard don't look like this. They aren't this "close." The best plays involve the players problem-solving on the field and making things work regardless of the circumstances. The QB and WR get the job done here in not-so-ideal circumstances and get the score.
You can check the play out here:
Emory Wilhite