The Next Gen Stats analytics team will share a unique Position Power Ranking each week of the 2023 NFL season, highlighting the best performers within a specific player group. For this week, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 slot defenders as we head into Week 11.
Before we delve deeper, it’s important to explain the methodology we’ve used to create these rankings. We’ve developed a formula that results in a Next Gen Stats percentile score, which assesses a player’s performance in comparison to his peers. This formula uses each player’s percentile score across various key metrics to generate a single composite score, highlighting the top-performing players in that position.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- The score for this week’s slot defender is a combination of a player’s output and efficacy in the slot during the first ten weeks of the 2023 season. These rankings are derived from a group of 46 slot defenders who spend at least half of their game time in the slot, with a minimum requirement of 50 slot snaps.
- For simplicity, we round off the overall scores of slots to the nearest whole number. However, the rankings displayed below take into account the raw data up to the decimal point.
- Coverage Score: 94
- Pass Rush Score: 60
- Tackle Score: 92
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 91
Moore’s double pick-six performance in Week 9 against the Panthers, one of which came from a slot alignment, helped him land the No. 1 spot on this list.
The undrafted free-agent who was signed in 2017 is currently having the best season of his career. He has achieved personal records in completion percentage over expected (-6.2%) and target EPA (-14.1%). Moreover, his third-lowest receptions over expected when positioned as a slot corner (-3.2) have contributed to his top coverage score (94) on this list.
Playing slot corner isn’t just about pass defense; these guys are also tasked with assuming a crucial role in preventing big run plays to the outside. Moore’s top tackle score (92) on this list indicates he’s been incredibly effective at doing just that. In fact, Moore leads all defenders in run stop EPA (-5.5) from a slot alignment this season.
- Coverage Score: 78
- Pass Rush Score: 87
- Tackle Score: 84
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 84
Steve Spagnuolo maximizes the corner’s versatile skills by using McDuffie in the slot during nickel and dime packages and the 2022 first-round pick on the outside in the base defense.
This season, McDuffie has stood out in coverage, boasting a -9.2 target EPA even though he is the most targeted player on the Chiefs, with 50 targets. Spagnuolo’s strategy of occasionally using him in the slot allows McDuffie to be more efficient as a pass rusher. The second-year professional has produced seven pressures from the slot this season, equalling the highest number in the NFL from that position. Five of these pressures have been achieved in less than 2.5 seconds, resulting in the top pass rush score on this list, at 87.
- Coverage Score: 86
- Pass Rush Score: 74
- Tackle Score: 75
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 83
Hobbs has surpassed expectations by allowing fewer completions (-5.2%) and receptions (-1.9%) for the first time since he joined the league as a fifth-rounder in 2021.
The Raiders appear to have found an ideal position for the third-year pro in the slot, as he is seeing much more play time this season (63.1%) compared to last year (14.7%). This heightened usage in the slot position has led to career-high records for the player in terms of exceeding expected completion percentage (-3.2%) and receptions (-0.9%) when positioned there, contributing to his overall statistical advancement.
- Coverage Score: 76
- Pass Rush Score: 72
- Tackle Score: 81
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 80
The only rookie on this list, Branch hit the ground running in Week 1 when he intercepted a dropped Patrick Mahomes pass and took it to the house, hitting a top speed of 20.74 mph (the fourth-fastest top speed by a defensive ball carrier so far this season).
Branch, a safety by profession, secured the nickel position for Detroit in the training camp and has since played as a slot corner in 74.4 percent of his defensive plays. He has shown remarkable performance in coverage, yielding the second-lowest target EPA (-7.8) among rookies even when positioned in the slot. This is impressive considering he has been the second-most targeted (30 targets) among players in that category.
Branch’s background as a safety has demonstrated its value in his ability to stop runs. As a slot corner, he leads all rookie defenders with a run stop EPA of -2.5.
- Coverage Score: 77
- Pass Rush Score: 83
- Tackle Score: 74
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 80
Last season, Gordon was the leader among all Bears defensive backs in playtime, participating in 79.4% of defensive snaps. This season, his role has grown further, with his slot snap rate rising from 43.9% to 73.6%. The Washington alumnus, now in his second year as a pro, has responded well to this increased responsibility. His average of 5.0 yards allowed per target on slot targets ranks fifth-best among all defenders who have faced at least 15 slot targets.
However, similar to Trent McDuffie, Gordon also poses a significant threat as a pass rusher. His five pressures rank him second among all defenders from a slot alignment and tied for third among all cornerbacks. This has resulted in him achieving the second-highest pass rush score (83) on this list.
- Coverage Score: 73
- Pass Rush Score: 61
- Tackle Score: 89
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 79
Despite committing a disastrous pass interference in this past Monday night’s crushing loss to Denver, Johnson has been the most consistent cog in a banged-up Bills secondary that has underperformed all season. That DPI call did put the Broncos in position to win the game, but the rest of the night was another example of Johnson performing at a high level, as he allowed just two receptions for 9 yards on four targets.
The sixth-year veteran is the only Buffalo cornerback outside of the injured Tre’Davious White with a negative target EPA (-4.4) this season. It’s a far cry from his league-leading -12.1 receptions over expected in 2021, but he’s also been a force in the run game. Johnson’s 89 tackle score is the second-highest on this list, aided by his second-most run tackles (25) and run stops (15) among cornerbacks through Week 10.
- Coverage Score: 82
- Pass Rush Score: 24
- Tackle Score: 88
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 77
McMillian has been a surprise name to emerge from a Denver secondary that includes established stars Pat Surtain II and Justin Simmons.
In 2022, McMillian, who was not drafted, has predominantly played as a slot corner this season, participating in 83.8% of defensive snaps. From this position, he leads all defenders with a -15.1 percent CPOE, given a minimum of 15 slot targets. Furthermore, he has conceded 3.3 fewer receptions than expected, which is the second-best record from a slot alignment.
McMillian’s knack for interrupting the pass game is well-matched with his powerful ability to stop runs. His -3.5 run stop EPA ranks as the third-highest among all defenders playing from a slot alignment this season.
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- Coverage Score: 83
- Pass Rush Score: 36
- Tackle Score: 72
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 74
Hilton, who joined the league as an undrafted free-agent signee in 2016, has been playing as a slot corner on more than 65 percent of his defensive snaps since his second year in 2017. After moving from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati before the 2021 season, his performance metrics were not always impressive. However, in 2023, things are starting to improve for the veteran. For the first time since joining Cincinnati’s secondary, Hilton has managed to allow fewer receptions than expected (-1.4) this season. Also, this is the first time he’s had a negative EPA (-2.2) when targeted as a slot corner within the same period.
Hilton has also contributed significantly in stopping the run, ranking fifth-best in run stop EPA (-4.1) among all defenders in a slot alignment in 2023.
- Coverage Score: 86
- Pass Rush Score: 60
- Tackle Score: 56
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 74
At 30 years old, Maulet is the oldest player on this list. His excellent performance in the slot has been a key contributor to the defensive success of Baltimore this season.
In 2023, Maulet has positioned himself in the slot for 85.7 percent of his defensive plays. His completion percentage of 57.1% from this alignment is the third-lowest, given a minimum of 15 slot targets. The ex-Steeler has recorded a -9.1 target EPA this season, which is the fourth-best score among all cornerbacks when positioned in the slot.
- Coverage Score: 80
- Pass Rush Score: 42
- Tackle Score: 71
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 73
A sixth-rounder in his sophomore season, Lake rounds out the list at No. 10. He barely qualified, playing just over 50 percent of his defensive snaps as a slot corner, but he has stood out when in the role, forcing the highest tight-window rate (53.3%) from the alignment (min. 15 slot targets). (The next-closest defender is Tennessee’s Roger McCreary, whose tight-window rate from the slot is 31.6%.)
Between Lake, Kyren Williams, Byron Young, and Puka Nacua, among others, the Rams continue to find steady contributors far beyond Round 1.
HONORABLE MENTION:
- Michael Carter, New York Jets
- Roger McCreary, Tennessee Titans
- Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
— Mike Band, Keegan Abdoo and John Andersen contributed to this story.
