Slot receivers are a special type of wide receiver drafted and signed by teams. They’re a great way to add speed, hands and route-running to an offense.

They can do a lot of things that wide receivers cannot, giving the offense a hidden weapon they can unleash throughout the game. They also have excellent chemistry with the quarterback, which is important in a team’s success.

A slot receiver typically lines up just a few steps off the line of scrimmage, making it much easier for them to run certain routes that outside receivers can’t. Because of their pre-snap motion, they can also take a lot of pressure off of running backs by acting as a ball carrier for pitch plays, reverses and end-arounds.

The slot receiver is often asked to block as well, especially for running plays that are designed to get out of the backfield quickly. Because of their positioning, they can block nickelbacks, outside linebackers and even safeties.

They’re also used as a blocker for wideouts when they’re not running or catching the ball. They’ll also pick up blitzes and provide protection for running backs on outside runs, giving them room to move and preventing the defense from rushing the quarterback or gaining an advantage.

The slot receiver is one of the most popular players in the NFL. They’re fast, strong, and very skilled at running precise routes. Their ability to read the field and react to defensive coverages gives them a huge edge over other wide receivers.