The Next Gen Stats analytics team will reveal a new Position Power Ranking every week of the 2023 NFL season, aimed at highlighting the best performers in a certain player group. For today, we have compiled a list of the top 10 slot defenders as we approach Week 11.
However, before we proceed, we would like to explain our methodology. We have developed a formula to establish measurable rankings, which results in a Next Gen Stats percentile score. This score reflects a player’s performance compared to others. The formula takes into account each player’s percentile score across various crucial metrics to generate a single composite score. This composite score signifies the top-performing players in their respective positions.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- The score for the slot defender of this week is a combination of a player’s output and effectiveness when positioned in the slot during the first 10 weeks of the 2023 season. The rankings are derived from a group of 46 slot defenders who participate in at least 50 percent of their plays in the slot, with a minimum of 50 slot snaps.
- For simplicity, overall slot scores are rounded to the nearest whole number. However, the rankings presented below consider the precise 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 player who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 is currently having the best season of his career, setting personal records in expected completion percentage (-6.2%) and target EPA (-14.1%). These records, combined with his third-lowest allowed receptions over expected when playing as a slot corner (-3.2), have resulted in him achieving the highest 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 can maximize the versatile skill set of the corner by positioning McDuffie in the slot during nickel and dime packages, and deploying the 2022 first-round pick on the outside in base defense.
This season, McDuffie has been superior in coverage, with a target EPA of -9.2 even though he is the Chiefs’ most targeted player with 50 targets. Spagnuolo’s strategy of positioning him at times in the slot allows McDuffie to be more effective as a pass rusher. The second-year pro has created seven pressures from the slot this season, a number that is tied for the highest in the NFL from such a position. Five of these pressures occurred in less than 2.5 seconds, resulting in the highest pass rush score on this list, which is 87.
- Coverage Score: 86
- Pass Rush Score: 74
- Tackle Score: 75
- SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 83
Hobbs, who joined the league as a fifth-rounder in 2021, has allowed fewer completions and receptions than expected for the first time, with a decrease of 5.2% and 1.9% respectively.
It appears that the third-year professional has settled well into the slot position, with the Raiders playing him there 63.1% of the time this season, a significant increase from last year’s 14.7%. This enhanced usage in the slot has resulted in the defender achieving his career-best records in terms of completion percentage over expected (-3.2%) and receptions over expected (-0.9%) when positioned there, leading to a notable overall improvement in his statistics.
- 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 professional safety, secured the nickel position for Detroit during training camp. He has since played as a slot corner in 74.4% of his defensive snaps. His coverage has been impressive, yielding the second-lowest target EPA (-7.8) among rookies when positioned in the slot. This is particularly noteworthy given that he was the second-most targeted player (with 30 targets) in that category.
Branch’s experience in the safety position is evident 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 topped the playtime list among all Bears defensive backs, participating in 79.4% of defensive snaps. This season, he has taken on a much larger role, with his slot snap rate increasing from 43.9% to 73.6%. The Washington alumni, now in his second professional year, has risen to the challenge. His allowed 5.0 yards per target on slot targets is the fifth-best among all defenders with a minimum of 15 slot targets.
Gordon, similar to Trent McDuffie, poses a significant threat as a pass rusher. He has the second-highest number of pressures from a slot alignment among all defenders, equal to the third highest among all cornerbacks. This has resulted in him having 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 wasn’t drafted, has primarily played as a slot corner this season, accounting for 83.8% of defensive snaps. He tops all defenders with a -15.1 percent CPOE from this position (with a minimum of 15 slot targets). Additionally, he has conceded 3.3 fewer receptions than anticipated, marking the second-best record from a slot alignment.
McMillian’s knack for interrupting the pass game is well-matched by his robust run-blocking skills. His -3.5 run stop EPA is the third-highest score 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
Since his second year in the league in 2017, Hilton, who was formerly an undrafted free-agent signee, has played as a slot corner in over 65% of his defensive plays. Although his performance metrics haven’t been the best since moving from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati before the 2021 season, the veteran seems to be finding his stride in 2023. This season is the first time Hilton has given up fewer receptions than expected (-1.4) since becoming a part of Cincinnati’s secondary. It’s also the first time he’s had a negative EPA (-2.2) when targeted as a slot corner during the same period.
Hilton has also contributed significantly in stopping the run, ranking fifth 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
Maulet, the oldest player on this list at 30, has significantly contributed to Baltimore’s defensive success this season with his excellent performance in the slot.
In 2023, Maulet lined up in the slot for 85.7 percent of his defensive plays, resulting in the third-lowest completion percentage (57.1%) among those with a minimum of 15 slot targets. The former Steeler’s -9.1 target EPA for the season places him fourth among 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.
