Slot Receivers in the NFL
A slot is a narrow opening, especially one in a machine or container. You can slot a coin into a vending machine to get a beverage or snack. A car seat belt slots easily into place. A slot is also an area on a calendar or schedule where an event can take place. A slot is also a name for a position in a sports team.
A football player who lines up in the slot position is called a “slot receiver.” The slot receives the ball pre-snap between the last man on the line of scrimmage (often the tight end or offensive tackle) and an outside wide receiver. Traditionally, this position has been a smaller, speedy receiver who excels in running precise routes. A successful slot receiver must master all the passing routes, including the in-and-out, vertical, and deep.
In addition to their skills in the passing game, slot receivers must be good blockers, more so than outside wide receivers. They are a key cog in the offensive blocking wheel and help protect the quarterback and running back on running plays. They also are important to the success of outside run concepts, such as sweeps and slants.
Slot receivers are a vital part of modern NFL offenses, as more and more teams utilize three-wide receiver formations. Because of this, they are often targeted on defenses’ top nickel and dime packages. In recent years, many slot receivers have emerged as superstar players. Some notable examples include Wes Welker, Antonio Brown, and Julio Jones.
Despite their increased role in the NFL, slot receivers are not as common as they once were. This is because of the rise of the multi-receiver offenses, which have expanded the field of play for wide receivers. Slot receivers are typically shorter and faster than traditional wide receivers, making them more difficult to defend against on defenses that rely heavily on cover two and three coverage schemes.
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