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Given the way the modern NFL is structured, slot receivers are some of the most important components of any team. They are used to move the chains more effectively and allow teams to eat up the clock. They maintain possession of the ball and get first downs more effectively than running. It’s no wonder, then, that last season saw nearly 40% of all passing attempts going to slot receivers.
From a total of 18,881 passing attempts, 7,496 were thrown to slot receivers. Further justifying their efficiency, in terms of receptions, it was higher at 43.1%. 5,481 out of 12,731 attempts hit the mark. In terms of yards after catch, giving even more weight to this tactic, 51.7% of all yards after catch came on throws to slot receivers.
As slot receivers become more important than ever, we thought we would take a look at some of the best in the business in the NFL right now. Here is a list of the top 10:
#10 - Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We begin with Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady was the quarterback with the most passing attempts, receptions, yards and completions in 2021. Much of this was due to having a designated slot receiver like Chris Godwin.
He had 60 catches on 79 targets for 722 yards. While that may not be as explosive as others, he played the role he was chosen for perfectly. He scored two touchdowns in that campaign, playing out of the slot. Losing him in Week 15 due to a torn ACL definitely harmed the Buccaneers' chances in the playoffs. Furthermore, his lingering injuries have been one of the reasons Brady and the offense has not been as good this season.
#9 - Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Coming up next on our list is Mark Andrews, the go-to guy for Lamar Jackson at the Baltimore Ravens. He was targeted by the quarterback 104 times in the 2021 season, the second-highest among slot receivers in the league. He hauled in 67 of those attempts for catches for 868 yards and five touchdowns.
His real value shows when you look at the yards after catch numbers. He had 277 yards after the catch, again the second-highest in the league. He will be useful this season as well as the receiving corps of the Ravens is not that great. His combination of size, pace and reliability make him one of the best in the NFL right now.
#8 - Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Five-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen is next on our list and has been a steady performer over the years. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 2017 to 2021 and set the mark as a consistent performer week in and week out. In this five-year period, the lowest he was targeted was 136 times. His lowest catching number was 97, lowest receiving yards were 992 and lowest touchdown count was six. Last season, he had 106 receptions for 1,136 yards and scored six touchdowns.
His continued excellence is marked by the fact that he has been among the top 15 wide receivers every season for the last five years. Since the turn of the millenium, only 96 player seasons have exceeded his minimum and no one has achieved that baseline for five consecutive seasons.
#7 - Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins leading an explosive offense for the Cincinnati Bengals, it is easy to forget how important Tyler Boyd has been. His presence often opens up the field for others. He caught 71 of 92 slot targets for 856 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Combined with the other receivers, he keeps the opposing offenses on their toes and is one of the most important keys to Cincinnati's successful offense.
#6 - Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Taking a gadget player and sticking them on this list might not seem like the wisest move considering we are focussing on slot receivers here. But there is no doubting Deebo Samuel's utility from the slot when he plays there. Targeted 43 times, he caught 33 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns last season.
His yards after catch last season (in terms of receivers) put him ahead of all competitors. His ability to turn on the jets after a catch and his variable role all make him an asset on the field.
#5 - Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett rates so highly on our list because while he is not targeted as much by play design, he is still one of the best in the NFL. Last season, he caught 30 of 40 slot targets for 510 yards and three touchdowns. In that, 408 yards were made up of just 12 catches, showing just how good he is on deep passes from the slot.
All three of his touchdowns were from such deep passes. Only Cooper Kupp had more catches than him on deep throws, and Lockett had less than one-third of his targets. In terms of deep field efficiency, he is the best slot receiver out there.
#4 - Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
There was always a chance when we came to the Las Vegas Raiders that we could have picked Davante Adams. He has arguably been the best receiver in the NFL over the last few seasons. But such is his ability, he is equally targeted on deep, intermediate and short routes and is not designated as a pure slot receiver.
So, we went with Hunter Renfrow. Specifically from the slot, he had 61 of 77 passes for 637 yards and three touchdowns. With Adams now coming in to add to the offense, Renfrow might get even more chances to excel from the slot.
#3 - Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
One could argue that Travis Kelce is the best in the NFL when it comes to tight ends. His performances from the slot have not just been good, they've been unstoppable. In the Kansas City offense last season, he caught 53 of 73 slot targets for 739 yards and eight touchdowns. In terms of touchdowns, this was the second-highest in the league. It shows his ability to get points on the board from a slot position instead of just yards.
His ability to score when it matters the most from the slot and his penchant for turning it on during big games is a definite advantage. With Tyreek Hill gone, he might have accumulated more opportunities from the slot in 2022.
#2 - Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill left the Kansas City Chiefs for the Miami Dolphins this offseason. He has been one of the reasons why the Dolphins have played as well as they have in this campaign. Known for his explosive pace, he carries a unique threat from the slot.
Last season, he caught nine of 18 deep targets for 270 yards, 227 air yards, and two touchdowns. The Miami offensive scheme underutilized slot receivers last season, but that has already changed this season with the explosive threat of Hill now present.
#1 - Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
No one could have been at the top of the list other than Cooper Kupp given the NFL season he had in 2021. The Super Bowl MVP caught 117 of 144 slot targets for 1,680 yards and 12 touchdowns. These are astonishing numbers that most other people on the list cannot achieve combined.
He had more than 1,500 yards from the slot in his historic season last year. With an offense that complements his abilities perfectly, expect him to continue to lead the NFL this season as well.
