Best Fantasy Slot Receivers

Since entering the fantasy-circles, though, Fulgham has scored at least 12.3 PPR points, with back-to-back games of 19+ in Weeks 5 and 6 topping at 31.2 PPR points in W5 (31/10/152/1).

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.

Best Fantasy Slot Receivers 2019

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 slot receiver’s kind of the quarterback of the receivers,” he said in 2015. “More so because the slot receiver has more responsibilities in terms of reading coverages and different adjustments based on what coverages you’re seeing. It’s a lot more complicated. You have to know a lot more. Our Week 13 fantasy WR PPR rankings are missing some key guys despite just two byes, and even more big-name wide receivers are questionable because of injuries and illness. See which sleepers are.

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

Nfl Fantasy Best Slot Receivers

Receptions and targets are always important when putting together fantasy WR rankings, but in PPR leagues, they obviously take extra precedent. That doesn't mean 'possession' receivers are suddenly worth more than big-play, high-touchdown pass-catchers, but they certainly move up sleeper lists and draft cheat sheets in even half-point PPR formats.

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 year. Arizona's uptempo offense will likely be throwing often, and Hopkins is set to receive the bulk of the targets. But the top tier isn't where most fantasy owners have questions. Even big-play, lower-catch guys like Tyreek Hill and Kenny Golladay will have immense value. It's the second and third tiers where things get more interesting.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2020 cheat sheet

Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Allen Robinson, and Robert Woods are among the notable risers from our standard rankings, and while all three showed their PPR bona fides last year, it's important to note that the first three will likely have new quarterbacks throwing to them this year (we're projecting Nick Foles wins the Bears starting job). That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially for Moore and Robinson, but in Allen's case, it could lead to fewer targets and timing issues. That's also true for third-tier risers Julian Edelman and Tyler Boyd, though we expect fellow riser Emmanuel Sanders to flourish even more in New Orleans.

2020 PPR RANKINGS:

Running back Tight end Superflex Top 200

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 monster three-catch, 100-yard games from someone like Mecole Hardman or DeSean Jackson. You never know when you'll need a home run hitter, especially during the bye weeks, so don't be shy about drafting one or two big-play guys. You can often find them at a value during your PPR draft.

2020 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:

Quarterback Running back Wide receiver Tight end D/ST Kicker Superflex Top 200

We'll continue to update our WR PPR rankings throughout the preseason, so check back for the latest movement. For our standard WR rankings and player analysis, click here.

2020 FANTASY SLEEPERS:

6 QBs 16 RBs 14 WRs 10 TEs 5 D/STs One from each team

2020 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings

The following rankings are for full-point PPR leagues.

DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS:

Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End D/ST