A slot receiver is a wide receiver in the NFL who lines up pre-snap between the last man on the line of scrimmage and the outside receiver. This area on the field is called the “slot” and is a very hot commodity in the NFL today.
Players in this position are often versatile and can be a great addition to any offense. They can see more targets and gain more stats than a team’s top two or three wide receivers.
Slot Receiver Profile
A typical slot receiver is a shorter, stockier player who often has better speed than an average wide receiver. This allows them to be more agile and flexible in what they are asked to do. They are also tougher and more resilient than their counterparts, making them a great option on certain plays.
Slot Receiver Gameplay
A slot receiver’s pre-snap alignment can dictate how they play the rest of the game. They will line up a few steps off of the line of scrimmage, giving them more flexibility to do things like act as a ball carrier on pitch plays and reverses. They can also be used as a blocker and will often be able to chip nickelbacks, outside linebackers, and safeties on running plays designed for the outside receivers.
In addition to their pre-snap alignment, slot receivers have to be able to do their job well in the passing game. They will need to be able to read the football, track down the quarterback, and make accurate readings on the route. They also need to have good hands and be able to execute their routes in traffic.