Slot receivers are a staple of today’s football offense. They allow quarterbacks to stretch the field and attack all three levels of the defense, while also allowing the offense an extra blocker when running outside the line of scrimmage.

The term “slot” comes from where a slot receiver typically lines up on the field. They are positioned pre-snap between the last man on the line of scrimmage (typically the tight end or offensive tackle) and the outside receiver. This creates a wide gap between the slot receiver and his assigned defender, which allows them more room to run their routes after the snap.

Slots are an important part of the offensive game in the NFL, and they have become increasingly popular over recent years. Players like Tyreek Hill and Brandin Cooks are slot receivers who can stretch the defense vertically off of pure speed, while still having the ability to run shorter routes on the route tree.

Unlike wide receivers, slot receivers often need to be agile and flexible in what they are asked to do, as they line up off the line of scrimmage. They may need to move in and out of the backfield as they run their routes, and they need to be able to read the defenders before the ball is snapped.

Because of where they line up and their pre-snap motion, slot receivers can also act as a ball carrier from time to time. This can be seen on pitch plays, reverses, and end-arounds.