NFL's top 10 slot defenders in 2022
Slot defenders have significantly increased in importance in the modern NFL. Offensive sets with two running backs and two wide receivers used to be the most popular formations. Now, almost every team plays almost exclusively single-back offenses with at least three wide receivers on the field at the same time. This has caused many base defenses to switch to nickel packages.
Additional wide receivers on the field will require more defenders to cover them. This is why slot defenders are just as important as outside cornerbacks in the modern NFL. This has become a specialized position for defenses as they often assign a starting slot defender to handle the majority of inside-man coverage.
#10 - Avonte Maddox, Philadelphia Eagles
Avonte Maddox has been a bit inconsistent during his four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. This may be because he has switched defensive positions multiple times. He played as an outside cornerback and a safety before switching to a full-time slot defender for the 2021 NFL season.
Maddox appears to have found his best position as his 2021 season was the best of his career. He led the NFL in pass defenses as a slot defender last year while ranking in the top five in PFF grade.
#9 - Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots
Bill Belichick has been known to feature man coverage at an extremely high rate when designing defensive schemes for the New England Patriots. He also prefers a roster of highly dynamic defenders that can contribute in several different areas.
Jonathan Jones is an ideal fit within Belichick's defensive unit for the Patriots. He received the highest PFF grade between 2019 and 2020 of any slot defender when playing in man coverage. He was also ranked in the top five in the overall PFF slot grade.
#8 - Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders initially selected Nate Hobbs in the 2021 NFL Draft to be an outside cornerback. He reportedly impressed the Raiders so much during practice as a slot defender that they tried him out in the new position.
The experiment worked out great for the Raiders as Hobbs received the highest PFF grade in slot coverage of any player during the 2021 NFL season. He has the potential to be ranked much higher on this list. He will be if he turns in a similar performance throughout the 2022 NFL season.
#7 - Bryce Callahan, Los Angeles Chargers
Bryce Callahan began his career with the Chicago Bears, where he quickly emerged as one of the best slot defenders in the NFL. He then joined the Denver Broncos, where he struggled to stay healthy, but remained one of the highest-graded in the slot when he was on the field.
Callahan joined the Los Angeles Chargers prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season. The organization aggressively improved their defense during the offseason, as they also acquired Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson. The group teamed up with Derwin James and Joey Bosa to form one of the most talented defenses in the NFL in 2022.
#6 - Troy Hill, Los Angeles Rams
If it weren't for an extremely disappointing 2021 season, Troy Hill would likely be ranked much higher on this list of the best slot defenders. No slot defender in the NFL received a higher combined PFF grade than Hill between 2019 and 2020. He completely tanked in his only season with the Cleveland Browns, dropping 39 points in PFF grade.
Hill is now back with the Los Angeles Rams, where he previously thrived before joining the Browns. The Rams also feature Jalen Ramsey, the top-ranked outside cornerback in the NFL. Ramsey and Hill are one of the best pairs of corners in the NFL at their best.
#5 - Mike Hilton, Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Hilton spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the 2021 season. His primary position has almost always been a slot defender. He switched from mostly zone coverage with the Steelers to more man coverage with the Bengals.
The style change paid off for Hilton as he recorded the highest PFF coverage grade of his career and the second-highest in the league last year. He was also a key member of an underrated Bengals defense that was extremely important in their run to the Super Bowl last year.
#4 - Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills
Taron Johnson is an extremely underrated player. He is one of the unsung heroes of the Buffalo Bills who has defended the pass better than any other team in the NFL over the last few years.
The Bills have ranked in the top three in passing yards allowed per game during three of the last four completed seasons. Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde often receive most of the credit. Johnson's contributions in the slot have been just as crucial to their success. He works best in zone coverage, where he has been the highest PFF-graded slot defender in the zone since 2020.
#3 - Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is part of one of the most loaded defensive secondaries in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints also feature Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu. They are three of the best players in the entire league in their specific positions.
The Saints play almost one of the most aggressive styles of pass coverage in the league. This plays right into Gardner-Johnson's strengths. He excels in man coverage and especially in press coverage. His 24 pass defenses as a slot defender are the most of any player since 2018.
#2 - Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts
Kenny Moore II plays almost exclusively as a slot defender and does it better than just about any other player in the NFL. He has recorded 12 interceptions from the slot since the start of the 2018 NFL season. This is more than any other slot player during that time.
Moore has been an excellent find for the Indianapolis Colts after he initially went undrafted. Moore has recorded a 1.33 PFF WAR since entering the league. This is the highest mark of any player when lined up in the defensive slot.
#1 - Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Marlon Humphrey no longer plays exclusively as a slot defender like in years past. He still does so regularly as his primary contribution to the Baltimore Ravens defense. He is as lockdown a defender as it gets from the inside position.
In just five years with the Ravens, Humphrey was selected to two Pro Bowls and was once chosen as a first-team All-Pro. He is also a playmaker, leading all players with eight forced fumbles during the 2020 NFL season.