A slot wide receiver lines up in the area between the offensive tackle and an outside wide receiver, and typically runs short to intermediate routes in the middle of the field, but the route tree can extend beyond that. The targets are typically short to medium distance, but again, the slot can be used on some deep plays as well. Slot wide receivers are usually very reliable outlets for the quarterback, and the fallacy surrounding them for Fantasy Football is that they do not have the upside that outside wide receivers have. Here are some examples that destroy that narrative:
- 2024: Amon-Ra St. Brown
- #9 in slot snaps
- #4 in Fantasy PPG
- 2023: CeeDee Lamb
- #4 in slot snaps
- #1 in Fantasy PPG
- 2021: Cooper Kupp
- #3 in slot snaps
- #1 in Fantasy PPG
These are just three examples, but they paint the picture that there is plenty of upside to being a slot wide receiver for Fantasy Football. So for 2025, I have a list of slot wide receivers that are worth targeting in your Fantasy Football drafts, who will bring plenty of upside to your lineups. Slot data is via playerprofiler.com. Yards after catch = YAC
What!? Your fantasy football league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax last season!? Once you see how Fantrax stacks up to the competition, we think you’ll be singing a different tune in the 2025 season.
Slot Wide Receivers to Target in 2025 Drafts
Zay Flowers, Ravens
- #24 in slot snaps in 2024
- 44 more targets in 2024 and 44 more targets in 2023 than any other Raven
- Top 15 in YAC the last 2 seasons as a playmaker
- Lamar Jackson is coming off a career year through the air. A bump in yards + touchdowns could be the breakout year
Khalil Shakir, Bills
- #12 in slot snaps in 2024
- 25 more targets, 32 more catches, 265 more receiving yards, than any other Bill in 2024
- #2 in YAC for the position in 2024
- Extended for four years this offseason
- The most reliable outlet for Josh Allen, who is vital to this Bills offense
Jayden Reed, Packers
- #10 in slot snaps in 2024
- #3 in rushing yards in 2023, #1 in rushing yards in 2024 for all wide receivers
- #3 in yards per target (11.4) and #11 in yards per reception (15.6) last season
- The most dynamic, versatile wide receiver in Green Bay
- Snap% boost could be a breakout
Christian Kirk, Texans
- 2022:
- #3 in slot snaps
- 133 targets
- 84 catches
- 1,108 receiving yards
- Eight touchdowns
- 14.2 Fantasy PPG (#18)
- Fresh start, healthy in Houston. Could earn the target #2 role behind Nico Collins as a safe, reliable outlet for CJ Stroud
Josh Downs, Colts
- #8 in slot snaps in 2024, when he averaged:
- 7.6 targets
- 5.1 receptions
- 57.4 receiving yards
- 13.1 Fantasy PPG (#28)
- Top 20 in YAC despite playing 14 games in 2024
- Year three breakout candidate pending quarterback play
Travis Hunter, Jaguars
- 2024: Top five in the FBS with 15 receiving TDs, produced 1,258 receiving yards (13.1 per) via 96 receptions as a two-way (WR/CB) player for Colorado
- Second overall draft pick to pair up with Brian Thomas Jr. for Trevor Lawrence
- Liam Coen has a history of productive slot wide receivers
Rashee Rice, Chiefs
- (Suspension in question)
- #3 in YAC as a rookie in 2023 and averaged 13.3 (#28) Fantasy PPG
- Avg 14.68 Fantasy Points in the NFL Playoffs his rookie year
- Opened up 2024 prior to injury avg:
- 9.67 targets
- 8 rec
- 96 rec yds
- 0.67 rec TD
- 21.63 PPG
Ladd McConkey, Chargers
- Ladd McConkey #6 in slot snaps as a rookie in 2024 and also:
- #23 in targets (111)
- #15 in receptions (82) – #9 in receiving yards (1,149)
- #8 in yards per target (10.3)
- #17 in YAC
- #16 in Fantasy PPG (#15)
- 14 targets, nine receptions, 197 receiving yards, and a touchdown in the LAC lone playoff game
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
- Always undervalued, despite finishing 14.5 (#20), 13.7 (#24), 12.9 (#29) Fantasy PPG the last three seasons
- 2024 through 15 games, averaged WITH Brock Bowers:
- 8.6 targets
- 5.8 receptions
- 68.5 receiving yards
- Geno Smith = 2025 QB upgrade
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants
- #2 in slot snaps for 2024 and finished:
- #10 in targets (140)
- #10 in receptions (93)
- #24 in YAC
- Fantasy PPG and yardage production were not great, but the NYG greatly improved their quarterback room this offseason, and he remains the #2 target behind Malik Nabers
Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers
- The All-time reception (205) and receiving yard (2,868) leader at Ohio State
- 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- Profiles as an extremely reliable outlet who can be a YAC monster
- Baker Mayfield is already praising him, and Chris Godwin’s health is in question
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
