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The increased frequency with which NFL teams deploy three- and four-receiver formations with at least one slot receiver is matched only by the responsibilities those slot targets must take on. A decade ago, slot receivers were specialty players, smaller guys without too much speed who caught three-yard slants and tried to get yards after the catch.

They now have diverse individual skill sets. There are still the Wes Welker types who pick up a high volume of catches underneath linebackers, but there are more speed receivers who run deep seam routes and posts. There are bigger receivers moved inside to create mismatches with slot cornerbacks or linebackers. There are running backs who either line up in the slot in empty-backfield formations, or flare to the slot from the backfield.

Route concepts for slot receivers are multifaceted. They run many in which they coordinate with the quarterback on the fly based on the response of the defender. In two-slot formations out of four-receiver sets, you'll see inside crossers and switch releases—schemes in order to create confusion for defenders who aren't used to dealing with such things inside the numbers.

The role is crucial to NFL offenses as the game becomes both more diversified in formations and play-calling, and more matchup-based, where quarterbacks scan the field looking for ideal mismatches rather than predetermined sets of reads.

And that's why, in this season's installation of the NFL1000 player rankings, we decided that both slot receivers and slot defenders deserved their own rankings. The receivers on this list lined up in the slot for at least 50 percent of their routes, per Pro Football Focus' charting. Most are also more than capable of doing damage on the outside, but the slot is where these players live.

NFL1000 scouts Marcus Mosher and Joe Goodberry have been watching the NFL's inside and outside receivers all season, and they're ready to rank and scout these former specialists turned starters based on the following criteria:

Route Running: 30 points. In the slot specifically, how well does this receiver align with his quarterback and react to defenders on option routes? How well does he create separation on short slants and drag routes, as well as intermediate and deep-seam routes and posts? How well does he get free of coverage in the red zone and end zone?



Hands: 25 points. How well does this receiver adjust his hands to quickly thrown passes in traffic? Can he recover from aggressive coverage to put his hands in a position to win against defenders trying to knock him off his route? Does he place his hands away from his body and bring the ball in, turning quickly to run?



YAC: 20 points. Once he catches the ball, how well does this receiver turn and get upfield, moving his way past defenders, especially on short and intermediate routes where he's making catches in traffic? And, how well does he use option routes to get that first step away from a defender?



Blocking: 15 points. No matter his size, how well does this receiver face up in multi-receiver run plays? Can he help pass-block in empty sets, or does he tend to disappear if he's not a target?

Position Value: 10 points. This takes into account positional importance when comparing scores to other spots on the gridiron. Wide receivers are given 7/10 points across the board, leaving them with a maximum score of 97/100.

Make sure to check out all of the NFL1000 rankings from the 2017 season.