Slot Rankings - How Wide Receivers Score More Touchdowns in the Slot
Slot machines operate the same way for every game, so you won't discover any secrets to beat them. There are a few tips you can follow to increase your chances of winning.
First, you should check a game's RTP. This number tells you how many players could win on average over the course of time.
Slot Efficiency
Slot efficiency is the aim of maximising the amount of slot switches that can be made without violating certain constraints. These constraints include, for example the minimal operational delay (usually expressed as scheduling delays) fairness, equity, access, competition, environmental objectives and more. The process of distributing slots is a complex one, and optimizing it to meet the desired performance metrics requires careful analysis of all factors involved.
The process begins by identifying the kinds of requests that need to be prioritized by reference to historical precedents. Once the type is identified and the slot allocation model is developed, it is then utilized to minimize the delay criteria. Many research gaps have been found regarding 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 gathers item history data and determines a velocity group. Items with the highest velocity are given the most slots, while less popular items are placed farther back in the warehouse.
Another important aspect of slot efficiency is the distance factor, which determines the amount of space that needs to be allocated to support the pick-to-ship process. The factor takes into account the velocity group of items as well as their racking placements and the characteristics of handling equipment.
It is crucial to consider the cost associated with a slot change to improve slot efficiency. Managers can estimate the cost of a typical change in slot and the impact it has on other aspects of slot efficiency like velocity by analyzing the typical slot.
After a couple of months testing the data and back-dating the recommendations, the casino began using the software more frequently. The gaming operations team estimates that they will save between 10 and 12 hours per month by using their usual analysis. This does not include the time spent reviewing the data of customers or preparing new, practical strategies.
Using the new suggestions from SRE, the team was able make numerous suggestions for game changes that increased player revenue. In particular, Dancing Drums Explosion and Twinstar Wave XL both by Scientific Games, saw big increases in the premium lease and WAP rankings. The casino also managed to shift their budget from marketing and other expenses to enhancing floor performance.
Perimeter Efficiency
We all know wide receivers are more likely to score touchdowns when they're in a position to hit the perimeter targets instead of slot targets. This is because they are generally targeted downfield and usually face one on one coverage. What might surprise some, however, is that the top five slot players and the rest of the group score differently on targets in the perimeter.
Of the wide receivers that have seen at least 40 targets in the past 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 populated with more possession-based receivers, including Chris Godwin and Diontae Johnson. The Bucs will likely move the latter two into the slot more often during this season, which could increase their targets. However, they'll have to improve their scoring on the perimeter in order to keep their high standards.
Speedy wideouts are the main beneficiaries of moving into the slot, because they generally are more likely to be open downfield when their route isn't obstructed by a linebacker or cornerback. The only wide receiver who isn't speedy on the list who benefits from slot work is Corey Coleman, as he's an extremely reliable player on intermediate and short routes.
The last spot on the list features more possession-based receivers that are more effective on short and intermediate routes than in deep areas such as Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Jeudy will be the Rams principal slot receiver this season, is a sleeper pick. Courtland Cooper and Amari Sutton are expected to play a larger role in downfield targets. Hamler will thrive on more short-to-middle and intermediate routes, since it was where he excelled when playing for the Bills in 2021. Hamler could be a fantastic replacement for the departed wideout Jordan Matthews.
Percentage of Snaps In Slot
The amount of snaps a receiver takes in the slot can be a good indicator of their ability to run deep routes. It's not always an accurate reflection of a receiver's skills since some receivers are better in the slot, but they can't play more deep.
For instance, the Eagles' Alshon Jeffery leads the league in the number of targets per game (4.8) but is only sixth in the slot receiving score (58.5). This is due to the fact that the majority of his targets come from outside and it's difficult to get a first down in a wide-open, deep route.
On contrary, some receivers excel inside and can't do much on the outside. For Rainbet Casino , the Panthers gave Robby Anderson 978 snaps this season, and he completed a whopping 74% of his slot routes compared to just 26% for boundary routes. This is an enormous difference and shows just how much more efficient Robby Anderson is when he is aligned to the slot.
Chris Godwin, a Buccaneers player, plays inside the majority of his passing downs. He is among the top five slot receiving scores (58.5). However, he also played 51 percent of his perimeter routes in the last season and is a stud in one-on-one coverage.
Speed receivers are more efficient when they line up inside. They can be targeted further down the field, and are often swarmed by one-on-one coverage. There are names like Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, and Julio Jones in our top five.
On the flip side, we've got some great slot cornerbacks such as McDuffie and Moore in this group. Both have been able create pressures during the pass game with McDuffie leading the NFL with seven forced fumbles and Moore having the highest tackle stop efficiency on this list (-3.5). Spagnuolo maximized McDuffie's skills by putting him in the slot for nickel and dime packages and then moving him to the outside for base defense. Moore's ability to stop big run plays is an enormous advantage when playing the slot.
Percentage of Snaps Outside
While top NFL receivers like Golden Tate, Larry Fitzgerald, and Baldwin excel on the perimeter but their slot counterparts are just as good. Wide receivers who have an excellent slot grade have touchdowns that are about the same as those on the outside. This is mostly because quarterbacks have a more stable target distribution when throwing to outside and slot receivers, compared to other inside options such as tight ends and backfield pass-catchers.
This is why it's fascinating to see a receiver like CeeDee Lamb on this list in 2022 as he plays the slot in three WR sets, and flanker in two of them. Lamb is running more routes in the slot than most of the players listed on this chart. This is an excellent opportunity to increase matchup benefits for your team. It also helps to explain why Lamb is the highest-graded receiver in our system.
He also plays the X-position and makes big plays on the outside. Lamb isn't as powerful as the players in this ranking but he's an extremely high-quality receiver and is a perfect match for the Cowboys' scheme.
Mecole Hardman is yet another example of a player who's capable of posting big numbers on both kinds of targets. He has a high slot receiver grade and is one of the best players in the league at catching back-shoulder throws, but he's also a great player for contested-catch.
Another player on this list who's a true slot specialist is Baltimore's Jalen Hilton, who has lined up in the slot on 85.7 percent of his defensive snaps this season. He's allowed the third-lowest target EPA and the fifth-best run stop EPA among cornerbacks aligned in the slot, making him a crucial part of his team's defense. On the other hand, he's had trouble to stop passes from the outside and has given an unfavorable EPA against these types of targets. This is the result of playing with poor linebackers and safeties who aren't able to match Hilton's size and speed, as well as his route-running abilities.