Slot Rankings - How Wide Receivers Score More Touchdowns in the Slot
Slots are the same for every spin. There aren't any hacks that will aid you in beating them. However, there are a few things to be aware of to maximize your winning potential.
The first step is to check a game's RTP. This number will tell you how much players can expect to win on average over the long run.
Slot Efficiency
Slot efficiency is the goal of increasing the amount of slot switches that can be constructed while avoiding the violation of a set of predefined constraints. These constraints can include, for instance, the minimum allowed operational delay (usually expressed as scheduling delays) fairness, equity access, competition environmental objectives and more. The slot allocation process can be a complex process and optimizing it to achieve the desired performance metrics requires careful analysis of the factors involved.
In general, the process starts by identifying the types of requests to be prioritized based on established prioritization in the past. Once the type has been identified, the slot allocation model is then employed to reduce the delay criteria. However, numerous research gaps have been observed related to the optimization of slot scheduling models particularly when the balance between fairness and efficiency is being maintained.
A common method for prioritizing slot assignments is the ABC (assigned by velocity) strategy that collects item history data and determines the velocity group. Items with the highest velocity are given the most slots, while smaller velocity items are placed farther back in the warehouse.
Another key element of slot efficiency is the distance factor, which is the amount of space that needs to be allocated to support the pick-to-ship process. The calculation considers the speed of the group, racking placements and the characteristics of handling equipment of the items.
It is important to also consider the cost associated with a slot change to improve slot efficiency. Managers can assess the costs of a typical change to a slot as well as its impact on other aspects of slot efficiency such as velocity by analyzing a typical slot.
After spending a month or two validating the data and back-dating suggestions after which the casino started using the solution more regularly. The gaming operations team estimates that they can save between 10-12 hours a month on their traditional analysis. This is not including the time spent reviewing data from customers or developing a new, practical strategies.
Utilizing the latest recommendations from SRE, the team was able to come up with numerous suggestions for game changes which increased revenue for players. Dancing Drums Explosion, and Twinstar Wave XL from Scientific Games saw significant gains in the top lease rankings and WAP rankings. The casino also was able to shift its budget away from marketing to other expenses and improve floor performance.
Perimeter Efficiency
We all know that wide receivers tend score more touchdowns when they're able to hit perimeter targets, rather than slot targets. This is because they are usually focused downfield and typically are in one-on-one coverage. But what might surprise some is the different between the top five slot receivers and the rest of them in terms of scoring on these perimeter targets.
Of the wide receivers who have seen at least 40 targets in each of the last two seasons the top five slot scorers on perimeter routes were all speed receivers: Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett and Michael Gallup. The bottom half of the list was filled with more possession-based receivers including Chris Godwin and Diontae Johnson. These two are likely to see an increase in their targets this season if the Bucs can move them into the slot more frequently, but they'll need to increase their perimeter scoring to maintain that high standard.
Speedy wideouts are the biggest beneficiaries of moving into the slot, because they generally have a much easier time getting open downfield when their route isn't obstructed by a cornerback or linebacker. The only wide receiver who isn't speedy on the list who benefits from more slot work is Corey Coleman, as he's an extremely reliable target on short and intermediate routes.
Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and other receivers who are based on possession are at the bottom of the list. They are better in short and intermediate routes rather than in deep areas. Jeudy is a great choice for a sleeper this year as the Rams' primary slot receiver for the Rams while Courtland Sutton and Amari Cooper are largely expected to play on more downfield targets. Hamler should be able to be a star on intermediate and short-to middle routes, as that's what he excelled at in 2021 when he played for the Bills. He could be an excellent replacement for the departed wideout Jordan Matthews.
Percentage of Snaps in the Slot
The amount of snaps a receiver takes in the slot can be a good indicator for their ability to run routes deep. However, it isn't always an accurate representation of a receiver's abilities as some receivers excel in the slot but can't play deep and vice versa.
Alshon Jeffrey, as an example, leads the league in the number of targets he receives per game (4.8) however, he is only ranked 6th in the slot that receives scores (58.5). This is because the majority of his targets come from outside and it's difficult to get a first down when playing a wide-open, deep route.
Some receivers are better at playing inside, while others struggle to do so on the outside. Robby Anderson, for example, was given 978 snaps by the Panthers this season. He logged 74% of his routes in the slot, as opposed to only 26% on boundary routes. This is a huge difference and shows just how much more efficient Robby Anderson is when he is aligned to the slot.
Furthermore it is worth noting that the Buccaneers' Chris Godwin lines inside on the majority of his passing downs and has a top-five slot receiving score (58.5). He also played 51% of his perimeter routes and is a master in one-on-1 coverage.
Speed receivers are typically more effective when lined up inside, since they are able to get targeted down the field and often are in one-on-one coverage. There are names like Mike Evans, Rainbet Amari Cooper, and Julio Jones in our top five.
McDuffie, Moore and other slot cornerbacks also belong to this group. Both have been able generate pressures in the passing game, with McDuffie leading the NFL with seven forced fumbles and Moore having the highest tackle stop efficiency on this list (-3.5). By deploying McDuffie in the slot when they're running nickel or dime-type packages, and then deploying him on the outside in base defense, Spagnuolo has maximized his skills. In addition, Moore's capability to stop big run plays has been an enormous asset when playing in the slot.
Percentage of Snaps Outside
While top NFL receivers such as Golden Tate, Larry Fitzgerald and Baldwin excel on the perimeter but their slot counterparts are also equally good. As a group wide receivers with high slot receiving grades score touchdowns at roughly the same rate as players who are on the edge. This is due to the fact that quarterbacks are more consistent in their targets when they throw to slot and outside wide receivers, as opposed to other inside options such as tight ends and backfield passers.
That's why it's interesting to see a player like CeeDee Lamb on this list in 2022, as he plays the slot in three WR sets and flanker in two of the sets. He's running more routes in the slot than most of the players on this chart. This is a great way to create matchup advantages for your team. It also helps explain why Lamb ranks as the highest-graded slot receiver in our system this season.
Of course, he plays the X position and makes big plays on the perimeter too. Lamb isn't as explosive as some of the other players in this ranking but he is still a high-graded wide receiver who is a good fit in the Cowboys scheme.
Mecole Hardman, another player who is able to put up big numbers with targets of both kinds, is another example. He is one of the best players in the league at taking throws from behind his shoulders. He's also a great player who can play contested catch.
Jalen Hilton is another player who is a slot specialist. He's lined up in this position on 85.7 percent of his defensive plays to date. He has the third-lowest EPA for targets, and the fifth-highest EPA for run stops among cornerbacks in the slot. This makes him an important part of his team's defensive team. He's struggled to stop passes from the outside and his EPA against this kind of target is negative. This is the result of playing with subpar linebackers and safeties that don't have the same size, speed and route-running ability.