Playbooks
Slot Digs is a five wide out concept out of Shotgun Wide 5wr built to attack the intermediate middle of the field with dual dig routes crossing from opposite slots. The outside receivers run vertical clear outs to occupy deep coverage while the digs settle in behind linebackers and in front of safeties, making this primarily a zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 2 shells, though it can work against man coverage if your digs win their initial break. The primary read progression starts with the near side slot dig, then works to the opposite dig if that lane is clogged, and finally checks down to any underneath route or scrambles the pocket if both digs are covered.
Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow zone drops from Mike and Will linebackers signal underneath zone coverage that can be exploited if the digs settle in the seam beyond their drop. Check safety alignment pre snap because two high safeties who stay static after the snap indicate Cover 4 or Cover 2, both of which open a throwing window for the digs between the numbers. Identify any user controlled defender flashing down into the middle of the field as a lurk threat, since a spy or rat in the middle of the field zone can jump the dig route and bait a pick six if you force the throw. Cover 3 with aggressive underneath zone drops from linebackers is the toughest shell against this play since it clogs both dig lanes, so be ready to check down or throw away if you see three deep defenders and tight linebacker spacing. Man coverage with inside help from a safety in the middle of the field can undercut the dig route timing, so look for the free safety cheating toward the slot before the snap as a sign to expect a jump on the crossing route.
Pre snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high or one high safety look because two high shells with soft linebacker drops are where the digs sit down easiest for a clean throw.
Use motion or a quick shift to see if the defense adjusts into man coverage, and if defenders trail your slot receivers across the field, be ready to throw the dig with anticipation before the break since man defenders will trail tightly.
Hot route your backside outside receiver into a shorter comeback or hitch if you are getting heavy Cover 2 shell so you have a quick answer against a two deep safety look that squeezes the digs.
This play pairs well with Four Verticals and Deep Choice Drag in the same set since both threaten similar landmarks but stress the defense vertically, forcing linebackers to widen their drops and open passing lanes for the digs on a follow up call.
Best used on second or third and medium situations where the eight to twelve yard window created by the digs matches the sticks, and avoid calling it into heavy zone blitz down and distance since the digs need time to develop.