Introduction to Slot Cornerbacks
There is no position that causes more headaches for IDP fantasy managers than cornerbacks. In this game, we like certainty and predictability. Players that produce consistently in counting stats are the most desirable. Linebackers that spend most of their time in the box and rack up tackles are hailed as studs. Edges that live in the backfield and deliver sacks at a per game basis are must-have assets. We want to know that players in our lineups are going to be active in the box score and not leave us with a goose egg for fantasy points.
The paradox is that sometimes not showing up on the stats sheet is evidence of a cornerback’s success. Players that shut down receivers and cover them so closely that a quarterback avoids throwing in their direction are lauded in real life, but less so in fantasy football. Why is that? Well, outside of the occasional pass deflection or tackle, they don’t score points. Thankfully, the league has evolved to become pass-heavy and we now have a version of the position that’s conducive towards IDP production: the slot cornerback.
Pretty much all NFL defenses today are based in the nickel formation. It’s called that because there are five defensive backs on the field. 5 DBs and 5 cents. That usually comes in the form of two outside cornerbacks, two safeties, and a nickelback who guards the opposing player in the slot. The nickelback or slot cornerback is a specialized position that requires a certain profile. In my opinion, it’s the most difficult position to play in the secondary.
The player must possess both the lateral agility and fluid hips to defend inside and outside routes. Unlike their outside brethren, they don’t have the advantage of the sideline to limit space. Imagine having to cover a receiver or tight end for the entire width of the field (53.3 yards). Not easy, right? Then take the insane traffic of a busy downtown street and try to stick to that guy. That’s what it’s like to work in the middle of a football field. In addition to those coverage duties, a slot cornerback plays the run more frequently. Dodging pulling linemen and taking down a running back isn’t exactly an easy task, but it’s what makes the role money for IDP.
Cornerbacks with the Most Snaps in the Slot
Let’s dig deeper into how that all comes together for fantasy success. Some of the cornerbacks with the most snaps in slot coverage during the 2023 season were Taron Johnson, Alontae Taylor, Keisean Nixon, Kenny Moore II, and Mike Hilton. In IDP123, they all scored over 200 points and finished as a CB1 in 16 team leagues. None of these players made a ton of splash plays. In fact, the highest interception total among them is only three. Alontae Taylor finished tied for 9th in pass deflections, but the next best in this category is Mike Hilton and Taron Johnson (8). That’s good for 73rd most in the NFL. So where do all the points come from?
The short answer is tackles. The close proximity to the ball in which slot cornerbacks are positioned gives them plenty of opportunities. That provides a solid fantasy floor. Three or four tackles and another scorable action is easily double-digit points. Not only is that a nice haul for a cornerback, but it’s also very sustainable! If you look up the tackle totals for those five players, their year-to-year numbers are very similar. Eliminate the unknowns and seek players that you can depend on. NFL teams also realize how crucial a quality slot defender is in the modern game and now reward them with multi-year contracts. Taron Johnson inked a three-year, $31 million extension last month. Keisean Nixon secured the bag with Green Bay. Kenny Moore re-upped with the Colts on a pact similar to Johnson’s.
Top 12 Cornerbacks in 2023 Scoring Average (min 3 games)
Note: Seven out of the twelve had the slot as their primary position.
| # | Player Name | 2023 Team | POSITION |
| 1 | Witherspoon, Devon | SEA | SLOT CB |
| 2 | Bland, DaRon | DAL | OUTSIDE CB |
| 3 | Moore, Kenny | IND | SLOT CB |
| 4 | Hobbs, Nate | LVR | SLOT CB |
| 5 | Adebo, Paulson | NOS | OUTSIDE CB |
| 6 | Stevenson, Tyrique | CHI | OUTSIDE CB |
| 7 | Hilton, Mike | CIN | SLOT CB |
| 8 | McCreary, Roger | TEN | SLOT CB |
| 9 | Ward, Charvarius | SFO | OUTSIDE CB |
| 10 | McDuffie, Trent | KCC | SLOT CB |
| 11 | Slay, Darius | PHI | OUTSIDE CB |
| 12 | Johnson, Taron | BUF | SLOT CB |
Slot Cornerbacks I am Buying
The options are certainly not limited in terms of talented slot cornerbacks. However, it is harder to find a cornerback who plays close to one hundred percent of the snaps, the majority of his snaps from the slot, and provides quality run defense. Listed below are four such players that I would be thrilled to have on my IDP roster, but I wouldn’t give up much to acquire any defensive back. I’d rather add a player as a secondary piece in a deal or simply use waivers.
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
The rookie lived up to the Top 5 draft pick expectations and also thrived in IDP. His stat line impressed with 79 tackles (56 solo), 3 sacks, 16 pass deflections, and 1 touchdown. Witherspoon finished 2023 as the 3rd highest scorer at the position (IDP123). He’s a versatile weapon that has no qualms lining up outside or in the slot. The hope is that Seattle drafts another outside cornerback to pair with Tariq Woolen, which would free up Witherspoon to operate near the line of scrimmage full-time. If there’s one area for improvement, he could clean up his tackling. His missed tackle rate of 12.1% isn’t awful but is still below the median for defensive backs (about 10%).
Roger McCreary, Tennessee Titans
The third-year cornerback could really breakout in 2024 and that would be pretty awesome considering he’s finished as CB #13 and #16 in his first two seasons. Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed should lock down the outside coverage responsibilities. That will give McCreary even more slot snaps and a chance to eclipse his season-high of 585. His play improved from his rookie season and he’s racked up 161 tackles in his career. Very promising!
Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders
Outside of an injury-ravaged campaign in 2022, Hobbs has kept busy manning the slot for Vegas. He’s a player the Raiders need to keep on the field and they don’t have a lot of talent in the secondary. So I don’t expect things to change much for this season. The former Illini made 86 tackles (59 solo) along with 7 pass deflections and 1 interception in 2023.
Ja’Quan McMillian, Denver Broncos
This is the first name that will probably be available in almost all IDP leagues. You’re welcome! McMillan forced his way into the Broncos lineup and won the slot cornerback job in the first half of the year. Despite not playing in Weeks 1 and 3, as well as sharing snaps until Week 8, he made 51 tackles (37 solo). Scale that over the course of 17 games and you have a CB2. He’s also skilled in forcing turnovers and while we can’t bank on that every year, it raises his fantasy upside.
Rookie Slot Cornerbacks in the NFL Draft
Some of you may be on the verge of starting your league’s rookie draft and could use some players that project to the slot cornerback role in the NFL. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean possesses the athleticism to play safety, outside, and inside. The former Hawkeye showed all of the ability and then some in his college career. We won’t know how effective he’ll be in IDP until we see his landing spot, but in the right situation, I’d bet on him fulfilling his potential as a CB1.
Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Michigan won the National Championship in 2023 behind a ferocious defense. Sainristil contributed to their vaunted secondary that caused quarterback Michael Penix a ton of problems. A converted wide receiver, he amassed 985 snaps in the slot over the past two seasons. He projects directly into the role at the pro level and is currently expected to hear his name on Day 2.
Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
For those in deep leagues, you’ll see the above two names go in your draft. Here’s someone you can take a flier on with minimal expense. I saw Abrams-Draine at the Senior Bowl and one quality that really stood out to me was his explosiveness. His breaking on routes? Chef’s kiss. He’s not the total article yet, but there’s enough there for an NFL team to believe in him as a slot option.
The cornerback position isn’t really the conundrum it’s made out to be in IDP. Sauce Gardner isn’t likely to top the charts in fantasy points. That’s ok. Each position has a version of itself that is awesome for statistical production and also one that isn’t. For example, I’d rather start safeties that sit in the box than those covering deep. The same with defensive tackles that two-gap for stuffing the run. I’m not rushing to add them to my roster. Give me the three-technique that focuses on the quarterback. Linebackers that often drop in coverage? Next! By embracing the cornerback position and homing in on those that work from the slot, you’ll give your fantasy team a Legion of Boom-type impact!
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