Outside vs. Slot Receivers

[wpeifer]

I have a question regarding the difference between an outside receiver and a slot receiver. I know that the slot receiver lines up on the inside and he is usually off the LOS, and that he tends to be smaller and quicker than the outside guy but I don't really understand why. How different are the routes? Also, (there's more) concerning ND's receivers, I've read in multiple places that ND has more outside guys than slot guys in the last couple classes (Kamara, Floyd, Walker) vs. (Goodman, Tate). Does that make a slot receiver like Uzoma Nwachukwu a valuable recruit? Thanks.

 

[Synoptico]

Slot receivers are good at changing direction and often go over the middle of the field where as outside receivers. Smaller receivers tend to be better at picking their way through traffic over the middle and are often covered by a LB.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Slot receivers are good at changing direction and often go over the middle of the field where as outside receivers. Smaller receivers tend to be better at picking their way through traffic over the middle and are often covered by a LB.

Exactly! They are especially good when they get matched up with a linebacker because of the quickness advantage. This works like a quick TE matchup where the advantage is usually with the quicker receiver. Wes Welker is an excellent example as is Stokley of the Broncos. He was a killer for Indy with Payton throwing him the ball.

 

[kmoose]

Slot receivers are good at changing direction and often go over the middle of the field where as outside receivers. Smaller receivers tend to be better at picking their way through traffic over the middle and are often covered by a LB.

They also tend not to draw press coverage, so their size (and supposedly attendant lack of strength) doesn't work against them, right at the LOS.