Slot Receivers – The Rising Threat in the NFL
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Slot receivers are a rising threat in the NFL, and for good reason. They are versatile players who can attack both the middle and the outer levels of defense, giving quarterbacks a lot of different options when throwing the ball.
They’re also great at running shorter routes, such as slants and quick outs. That means they can stretch the defense vertically off pure speed and make their way behind the line of scrimmage for big gains.
Unlike the outside receivers in their position, slot receivers will often line up a few steps off the line of scrimmage. This allows them to get a head of steam behind them before they ever snap the football, which is crucial on many pitch plays, reverses and end-arounds.
Another thing they do that is a little bit different from the outside receivers is they will usually call their own pre-snap motion, which is similar to a running back’s. This means that they will have a full head of steam behind them before they even catch the ball, and can act as a huge decoy to help with the rest of the offense’s playcalling.
As a slot receiver, you’ll also need to be able to block downfield. This is a skill that is crucial for a wide receiver, because it allows them to take pressure off the quarterback by preventing the defense from rushing him downfield too much. This is why a slot receiver can often be the best pass catcher in the game, because they aren’t hampered by the physicality of the defensive linemen.
To do this, they need to be strong and able to hold their own against tacklers. That’s why they’ll often be the first receiver on the field when a team is ready to run a play, because it gives them a chance to step in front of defenders and give the quarterback an extra edge.
A slot receiver can often be the go-to option for a team’s offense, especially when the other receivers aren’t catching enough passes or getting a lot of targets. This is because they can be used to make a variety of plays, from catching passes in the end zone to breaking up long passes on deep routes.
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