Positions and roles
Slot receiver
The inside receiver lined up between the tackle and the outside receiver, working the middle of the field.
The slot receiver lines up inside, off the line of scrimmage, between the offensive tackle and the outside receiver. That alignment gives him a two-way go — he can break inside or outside — and a free release against press coverage.
Slot receivers live on option routes, slants, and shallow crossers, and they are covered by the slot corner or a linebacker rather than a team's top outside cornerback.
Because most passing downs run through the middle of the field, the slot is usually the highest-volume receiving spot on an offense.
Related terms
- Slot corner (nickel)The corner who covers the inside receiver, defends option routes and often blitzes.
- X receiverThe isolated receiver on the line of scrimmage who beats press coverage on his own.
- Z receiver (flanker)The flanker, off the line of scrimmage and able to use motion to dodge press.
- 11 personnelOne running back and one tight end with three receivers — the NFL's most common grouping.
More in Positions and roles
- Head coach (HC)
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Quarterback (QB)
- Running back (RB)
- Fullback (FB)
- Wide receiver (WR)
- X receiver
- Z receiver (flanker)
- Tight end (TE)
- Offensive line (OL)
- Center (C)
- Guard (G)
- Left tackle and right tackle
- Defensive lineman (DL)
- EDGE
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Slot corner (nickel)
- Safety (SAF)
- Kicker (K)
- H-back