Some fantasy owners go too far in favoring high-target receivers. While you'll often get more week-to-week consistency with Jamison Crowder or Curtis Samuel as your WR4, you'll miss out on those. To make matters worse, the 49ers have been the toughest team in the league against slot receivers, which is not good news for Cole Beasley. The Bills are going to get passing yards somewhere, but.

Michael Thomas is the easy call as the top-ranked receiver after catching 149 balls last year, but DeAndre Hopkins, who was tied for second with 104 catches, could challenge him even more this. Evans led all slot receivers with at least 25 targets with a passer rating when targeted of 151.3, and Brown was an absolute force against defenses in the slot — especially when he was using his.

In the 2019 regular and postseason, per Pro Football Focus data, slot receivers regardless of position (receivers, running backs, and tight ends) accounted for 32% of all targets, 31.6% of all receptions, 32.3% of all receiving yardage, and 34.3% of all receiving touchdowns. In a league where the three-receiver set is by far the default formation (it happened on 69% of all snaps last season, per Sports Info Solutions), having a versatile and productive slot receiver is an absolute necessity in the modern passing game.

Moreover, there is no one kind of slot receiver in the modern NFL. It used to be that you wanted the shorter, smaller guy inside, and your bigger, more physical receivers on the outside. Then, offensive coaches started to realize that by putting bigger receivers and tight ends in the slot, you could create mismatches with slower linebackers and smaller slot cornerbacks. Teams countered this by acquiring linebackers built like safeties, eager to do more than just chase after run fits, and also by moving their best cornerbacks into the slot in certain situations.

Now that offensive and defensive coaches have worked hard to create as many schematic and personnel ties in the slot as possible, the best slot receivers are the ones who consistently show the ideal characteristics for the position. These receivers know how to exploit defenders who don’t have a boundary to help them — they’ll create inside and outside position to move the defender where they want him to go. They understand the value and precision of the option route, and how you can hang a defender out to dry with a simple “if this/then that” equation based on coverage rules. They know how to work in concert with their outside receivers to create route combinations which create impossible math problems for defenses. And they know how to get open in quick spaces.

But don’t automatically assume that slot receivers are just taking the dink-and-dunk routes — they’re actually tasked to catch everything from quick slants to vertical stuff down the seam and up the numbers. Last season, per PFF data, the NFL average for yards per completion for outside receivers was 11.28. For slot receivers, it was 11.63. So, over time and based on the play design and the makeup of the receivers, teams could find just that many more yards by throwing to their slot targets.

The best slot receivers in the game bring unique and highly valuable traits to the game, and here are the best among them.

More Top 11 lists: Slot defenders Outside cornerbacks Safeties Linebackers Edge defenders Interior defensive linemen Offensive tackles Offensive guards Centers Outside Receivers

Honorable Mentions

Had we dropped the qualifying floor to under 50% slot snaps, two guys would have easily made it — Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, and Baltimore’s Marquise Goodwin. Evans led all slot receivers with at least 25 targets with a passer rating when targeted of 151.3, and Brown was an absolute force against defenses in the slot — especially when he was using his speed in empty formations.

San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel, who was probably the MVP of the first half of Super Bowl LIV before things started to go backward for his team, would have received a mention as well — Samuel had just 33 targets, but caught 28 of them and helped his quarterback to a 135.3 rating when he was targeted in the slot. Kansas City speed receiver Mecole Hardman had just 23 a lot targets, but he was also highly efficient with them, helping his quarterbacks to a 133.9 rating. Though Danny Amendola was the only Lions receiver to make the 50% threshold, both Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay were highly efficient when tasked to move inside. Other former slot stars like Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs and Minnesota’s Adam Thielen saw their roles change more to the outside in 2019 from previous seasons.

Of the receivers who actually qualified, Nelson Agholor of the Eagles was quietly efficient and had just two drops in the slot last season — which would go against several memes on the subject. Buffalo’s Cole Beasley just missed the cut, through he was one of several receivers on the Bills’ roster who didn’t always get the accuracy and efficiency they deserved from quarterback Josh Allen. And though Randall Cobb was productive for the Cowboys last season and should be so for the Texans in 2020, his nine drops as a slot man… well, we can only have one guy with nine slot drops on this list. More on that in a minute.

Now, on to the top 11.

Willie Snead IV Julian Edelman Tyler Boyd Jared Cook Golden Tate Keenan Allen Larry Fitzgerald Allen Robinson Cooper Kupp Chris Godwin Tyler Lockett

Top Fantasy Slot Receivers

Throughout the history of the NFL, there have been many offensive trends that have come and gone. In the early days of the NFL, running the football over and over was the focal point of every offense. The emergence of the West Coast offense and highly skilled quarterbacks led to a league-wide offensive overhaul. In today’s pass-heavy NFL, slot receivers are a new trend that offensive coordinators are leveraging more than ever. Pay attention to these small, agile receivers operating in the slot, and you will reap huge fantasy football rewards according to their advanced stats, metrics, and analytics profiles.

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Under the thumb of Sean McVay, the Los Angeles Rams have been propelled into relevance with their high powered offense spearheaded by Jared Goff. One of the biggest beneficiaries of their success has been rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Running out of the slot, Kupp has produced significant fantasy upside in his first season in the NFL.

Top Fantasy Slot Receivers 2019

Kupp has proven to be a stalwart of the Rams’ red zone attack logging eight red zone receptions (No. 6) and a 31.5-percent Red Zone Target Share (No. 4). Furthermore, Kupp has recorded a solid 265 yards after catch this season (No. 13). His 10.83 Agility Score (88th-percentile) indicates that he is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. His high volume of receptions and young age make him a big asset in PPR leagues and dynasty leagues. Going into the season, Cooper Kupp’s ADP was 203. Do not overlook this blooming under the radar slot receiver.

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

There is not better example of a prolific breakout player than Adam Thielen. Thielen’s fantasy owners have been jumping for joy this season as he has been producing week in and week out. Despite the fact that he has been thrown to by Case Keenum for the majority of the season, he has continued to have fantasy success.

Thielen is quickly turning into one of the league’s best fantasy slot receivers. In an offense where he has to compete with Stefon Diggs, Thielen has logged 107 targets (No. 4), a 28.9-percent Target Share (No. 6), and 1006 receiving yards (No. 3). This type of a fantasy explosion coming from the slot is unusual but not unparalleled as we have seen similar numbers from Julian Edelman.

Adam Thielen’s fantasy output is only going to increase as he showcases a slew of metrics that are a mark of great receiver. Thus far in 2017, he has 2.77 Yards Per Pass Route (No. 4), a 58.8-percent Contested Catch Rate (No. 9), 303 yards after catch (No. 6), and is averaging 10.9 yards Target Depth Per Reception (No. 11). Thielen is a threat up and down the field coming out of the slot and will be for years to come.

Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles

This time a year ago, Philadelphia Eagles fans were ready to give up on their former first round draft pick: Nelson Agholor. At this point in the 2017 campaign, Agholor has been one of many standouts in the Eagles’ offensive juggernaut. Taking throws from Carson Wentz certainly doesn’t hurt, but a change occurred that facilitated his success. The change was schematic: Agholor moved to the slot.

After a miserable 2016 season, Agholor’s fantasy production has erupted working out of the slot. He has 7 touchdowns (No. 4) and 2.28 Fantasy Points Per Target (No. 6). Moreover, Agholor has been one of the most efficient receivers in all of football this season. He has recorded a +22.1 Production Premium (No. 10), a +26.4 Target premium (No. 10), and an eye-popping 127.7 QB Rating When Targeted (No. 3).

Nelson Agholor Advanced Stats & Metric Profile

Agholor often faces mismatches in the secondary as a result of his positioning in the slot. He also has the ability to promptly separate from defenders utilizing his 4.42 40-yard dash time (89th-percentile) and a 102.3 Speed Score (75th-percentile). Look for Agholor to be a consistent feature producing out of the slot in this potent Eagles offense.

Fantasy Slot Receivers 2019

Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins

Last but not least, Jamison Crowder offers a very promising fantasy option out of the slot. At just 24 years of age, Crowder shows loads of potential and is especially valuable in dynasty leagues. Despite not having a workout metric above the 50th-percentile, he averages 2.39 yards of Target Separation. This is an indication that Crowder is an exceptional route runner and can get open with regularity.

Jamison Crowder is just as dangerous after he gets the ball in his hands as he has 291 yards after the catch (No. 7). With a pass-heavy offense run by Kirk Cousins, Crowder’s ceiling is extremely high. Look for Crowder do be a solid fantasy option as a slot receiver in Washington’s offense in the long run. Stash him now in dynasty leagues and his potential will come to fruition sooner rather than later.