The Main Issue With Slot Rankings And How You Can Fix It
Slot Rankings - How Wide Receivers Score More Touchdowns in the Slot
Slots work the same way for every spin, so you won't discover any secrets to beat them. However, there are a few things to be aware of to increase your chances of winning.
The first step is to check a game's RTP. This number tells you how many players could win over the long term.
Slot Efficiency
Slot efficiency is the aim of maximizing the number of slot switches that can be constructed while avoiding the violation of the constraints that are predefined. These constraints include, for example the minimum operational delay (usually expressed as scheduling delays) fairness, equity, access, competition, environmental goals and more. The process of allocation of slots is a complicated one and optimizing it to reach the desired performance metrics requires careful analysis of the various factors at play.
In general, the process starts by identifying the types of requests to be prioritized according to established historical precedence. Once the type has been identified and the slot allocation model is developed, it is then employed to reduce the delay criteria. Numerous research gaps have been found in relation to the slot scheduling models that optimize especially when it comes to trying to balance efficiency and fairness.
A common method of prioritizing slot assignments is the ABC (assigned by velocity) strategy that collects item history data and determines a velocity group. Items with the highest velocity receive the best slots, whereas less popular items are placed farther back in the warehouse.
Another crucial aspect of slot efficiency is the distance factor, which determines the amount of space that needs to be allotted to support the pick-to-ship process. The factor considers the velocity group, racking placements, and equipment handling characteristics of the products.
It is crucial to take into consideration the costs associated with a slot change in order to increase the efficiency of the slot. A quick look at the typical slot change will help managers understand the costs associated with the move, and also the effects it may have on other elements of slot efficiency, such as velocity.
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Perimeter Efficiency
We all know that wide receivers are more likely to score more touchdowns on areas that are not targeted by slot targets, since they're usually targeted way downfield and often face one-on-one coverage. One thing that might be surprising to some however, is that the top five slot players and the rest of the group score differently on targets in the perimeter.
Of the 66 wide receivers who have seen at least 40 targets each of the two seasons the top five slot scorers on the perimeter routes were all speed receivers: Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett and Michael Gallup. The bottom half of this list is dominated by receivers who are more possession-based such as Chris Godwin and Diontae Johnston. These two are likely to see a boost in their targets this season, if the Bucs shift them into the slot more often however, they'll have to improve their perimeter scoring to keep that high variance slots level.
Speedy wideouts are the biggest beneficiaries of moving into the slot, as they typically are more likely to be open downfield when their route isn't obstructed by a linebacker or cornerback. Corey Coleman is the only wide receiver who isn't a fast wideout but would benefit from more slot time. He's a good target for intermediate and short routes.
The bottom of the list is populated by possession-based receivers that are more effective on short and intermediate routes than in deep areas like Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Jeudy is a solid sleeper pick this year, as the Rams' primary slot receiver for the Rams while Courtland Sutton and Amari Cooper are likely to be involved in more downfield targets. Hamler, meanwhile, should excel on shorter-to-mid and intermediate routes, since this is where he was at his best when playing for the Bills in 2021. He could be an excellent replacement for the departed wideout Jordan Matthews.
Percentage of Snaps in the Slot
The percentage of snaps a receiver takes in the slot is an excellent indicator of their ability to run deep routes. It is not always a reliable indicator of a receiver's abilities, as certain receivers are better in the slot and can't play deeper.
Alshon Jeffrey, as an example leads the league in targets received per game (4.8) however, he is only ranked 6th when it comes to the position that scores (58.5). This is due to the fact that the majority of his targets come from the outside and it's hard to score a first-down in a wide-open deep line in that setting.
On contrary, some receivers excel at playing inside, but struggle on the outside. Robby Anderson, for example was given 978 snaps by the Panthers this season. He logged 74% of his route in the slot, compared to just 26% on boundaries routes. This is a huge distinction and demonstrates how much more efficient Robby Anderson is when he is aligned to the slot.
Furthermore, the Buccaneers' Chris Godwin lines in the middle on the majority of his passing downs, and has a top five slot receiving score (58.5). He also played 51% his perimeter routes and is a pro in one-on-1 coverage.
Speed receivers are typically more effective when lining up inside, since they are able to get targeted down the field and often find themselves with one-on-one coverage. You'll find names like Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, and Julio Jones in our top five.
McDuffie, Moore and other slot cornerbacks are also part of this group. Both have been able generate pressures in the pass game and have McDuffie leading the NFL with seven forced fumbles, and Moore having the best tackle stop rate on this list (-3.5). Through using McDuffie in the slot when they're running nickel or dime packages and then deploying McDuffie on the outside in base defense, Spagnuolo has maximized his abilities. Additionally, Moore's ability to stop big run plays has been an enormous benefit when playing in the slot.
Percentage of Snaps Outside
While the NFL's top receivers such as Baldwin, Golden Tate and Larry Fitzgerald excel on the perimeter, it's worth noting that their slot counterparts are also good. Wide receivers who have a high slot grade score touchdowns in the same way as those on the perimeter. This is due to the fact that quarterbacks have a more stable target distribution when throwing to outside and slot receivers than to other inside options such as tight ends and backfield pass-catchers.
It's also interesting to see a receiver such as CeeDee Lamb on this list in 2022 as he plays the slot in three WR sets and flanker in two of them. In fact the slot receiver is running a higher number of slot routes than most of the players listed on this chart. This is an excellent method to gain matchup advantages for your team. It also helps explain why Lamb is the highest-graded receiver in our system.
Of course, he also plays the X position, and makes some big plays on the perimeter as well. Lamb isn't as explosive as some of the other players in this ranking but he's an elite wide receiver that fits well into the Cowboys scheme.
Mecole Hardman is another example of a player capable of putting up huge numbers on both types of targets. He has a high slot receiving grade and is among the best players in the league at catching back-shoulder throws, however, he's also a formidable opponent for contested catch.
Another player on this list who's a slot specialist in the true sense is Baltimore's Jalen Hilton who has played in the slot on 85.7 percent of his defensive plays this season. He's allowed the third-lowest target EPA and the fifth-best run stop EPA among cornerbacks aligned in the slot, which makes him a crucial player in the defense of his team. He's struggled to stop passes from the outside, and his EPA against this type of target is negative. This is due to him playing with linebackers and safety players who cannot compete with Hilton's speed, size and route-running abilities.