Like their outside brethren, NFL slot wide receivers must be complete players that need to continuously evolve.
Life in the slot does not appear glorious. However, it does remain extremely lucrative. With most positions in the NFL, all slots are not created equal. Whether it’s scheme variety or comfortability with their quarterbacks, slot continues to play such a demanding but valued role within the construct of an offense. Now, this list would be based on personal opinion and explained rationale.
Justin Jefferson
710 of Jefferson’s league-leading 1809 yards began from the slot. As a result, he sits atop of this list. What makes Jefferson elite in the slot is ability to run inside routes like outside runs. Regardless of space, down and distance, he traces pristine routes, forcing the corner on their heels. Additionally, Jefferson will run a deeper route. Many slot corners will not attempt to take the top off the defense from the inside. Jefferson’s 3.51 yards per slot route means that he is mixing in intermediate and deep routes, along with the customary slants.
Christian Kirk
Raiser your hand, if you thought the Jaguars made a wise move when they signed Kirk to a long-term deal? Now, stop lying and keep reading. Before the breakout season in 2021, Kirk flashed potential, but never seem to put the pieces together. Last season, his first in Jacksonville, Kirk became the undisputed top target, establishing highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Granted, more established receivers could rank behind him. Yet, Kirk gains the nod here because of his true slot natural. Kirk proved invaluable to the Jags in the postseason, tallying fifteen catches and two touchdowns.
- Feed has no items.
Around Full Press Coverage
OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place
NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2
NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022
FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview
CeeDee Lamb
While no receiver tallied more Lamb’s 867 yards, those yards emanated partly out of necessity and design. As far and away the best receiving option Dallas employed, Lamb needed to bounce around the field. Teams would use help via bracket or safety help to stop Lamb answering the call for the Cowboys to the point of exhaustion. Now, with Brandin Cooks joining Dallas, the Cowboys can rely less on their star wideout to shoulder the burden underneath. Basically, all of the pressure is not on Lamb. Instead, Dak Prescott and the offense needs to find more creative ways of using Lamb.
Overview
Granted, there are eight or nine more sultans of slot that could join this list. Yet, these three encompass what a slot needs to be: high volume catchers and route flexible. Plus, they’ve earned the unquestioned trust of their quarterback in various schemes and situations. While few kids grow up to want to play slot receiver, the opportunity to see how the modern game and its star wideouts use the position to torture defenses and rack up points.