route runner

plural route runners

1. American footballA receiver who is good at finding a route through the defensive players on the other team in order to get into position.

   You must have great awareness to be a great route runner.

   2012, Merritt J. Norvell, Route Running for Wide Receivers

   3 more examples

   “The best route runner I have ever seen,” Vincent said. “When he was with the Rams, then over to Washington, he was real clever. He made everything look alike. You didn't know whether he was running a two-yard route or a 'go.'

   2006, Gordon Forbes, Tales from the Eagles Sideline, page 61

   After plucking Courtland Sutton in the second round last year, the Denver Broncos needed to complement him with another receiver, preferably one who can stretch the field now that Pro Bowl wideout Emmanuel Sanders has left for New Orleans. Jerry Jeudy, a polished route-runner who can line up anywhere in a formation, fits that description.

   2020 April 23, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 23 Apr 2020

   He has a slightly-limited route tree as primarily a vertical deep threat. He is a sufficient route runner despite underutilizing his size during the stem phase.

   2021, Matt Manocherian, SIS Football Rookie Handbook 2021

2. businessSomeone whose job is to move materials or inventory items to where they are needed.

   What if the route runner wrote down what was low when he brought inventory to the line ?

   2021, Eduardo Lander, Jeffrey K. Liker, Thomas E. Root, Lean in a High-Variability Business

   2 more examples

   The route runner in the RNA facility had become an integral part of the efficiency of the system.

   2008, Chris Harris, Rick Harris, Lean Connections, page 63

   The material handler (route runner) picks up the empty containers and kanban cards while he delivers new material to the point-of-use racks in each work cell.

   2018, Mike Elbert, Lean Production for the Small Company, page 199