NFL · Empirical Bayes
True-Talent Leaderboards
A raw single-season rate is a noisy guess at a player’s real ability, and the noise is worst for the smallest samples — so a naïve leaderboard is topped by whoever got lucky in the fewest tries. This one shrinks every rate toward its position-group prior by how much the sample can be trusted, and shows a 90% credible interval instead of a point. Toggle raw vs. shrunk to watch the flukes fall back to the pack.
EPA per target · 2020
Mean EPA per target, shrunk within position.
- Beats raw by
- 24.4%
- lower out-of-sample error
- RMSE raw → shrunk
- 0.38 → 0.29
- odd vs. even weeks
- Split-half reliability
- 0.13
- how repeatable the raw stat is
- Stabilizes at
- 370
- targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
Each row is a player: the solid dot is the shrunk estimate, the hollow dot the raw rate, joined by the red pull of regression; the grey bar is the 90% credible interval. A hollow shrunk dot means the sample is below the stabilization line — the number is mostly the position prior. Switch to Raw rank and watch the small-sample names climb.
EPA per target · 2020 · full board
| # | Player | Team | Pos | targets | Raw | Shrunk | 90% interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will Fuller◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 75 | +0.78 | +0.38 | +0.26 – +0.51 |
| 2 | Julio Jones◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 68 | +0.79 | +0.38 | +0.25 – +0.51 |
| 3 | A.J. Brown◦ provisional | TEN | WR | 106 | +0.62 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.50 |
| 4 | Tyreek Hill◦ provisional | KC | WR | 135 | +0.56 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.49 |
| 5 | Tyler Lockett◦ provisional | SEA | WR | 132 | +0.56 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.49 |
| 6 | Chris Godwin Jr.◦ provisional | TB | WR | 84 | +0.66 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.49 |
| 7 | Stefon Diggs◦ provisional | BUF | WR | 166 | +0.51 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.48 |
| 8 | Davante Adams◦ provisional | GB | WR | 149 | +0.52 | +0.37 | +0.25 – +0.48 |
| 9 | Corey Davis◦ provisional | TEN | WR | 92 | +0.61 | +0.36 | +0.24 – +0.49 |
| 10 | Allen Lazard◦ provisional | GB | WR | 46 | +0.83 | +0.36 | +0.23 – +0.49 |
| 11 | Cole Beasley◦ provisional | BUF | WR | 108 | +0.55 | +0.36 | +0.24 – +0.48 |
| 12 | Justin Jefferson◦ provisional | MIN | WR | 128 | +0.52 | +0.36 | +0.24 – +0.48 |
| 13 | Tyron Johnson◦ provisional | LAC | WR | 26 | +1.13 | +0.36 | +0.23 – +0.49 |
| 14 | Rashard Higgins◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 52 | +0.69 | +0.35 | +0.22 – +0.48 |
| 15 | Tee Higgins◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 108 | +0.49 | +0.35 | +0.22 – +0.47 |
| 16 | DK Metcalf◦ provisional | SEA | WR | 129 | +0.46 | +0.34 | +0.23 – +0.46 |
| 17 | Jarvis Landry◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 101 | +0.48 | +0.34 | +0.22 – +0.46 |
| 18 | Donovan Peoples-Jones◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 21 | +0.95 | +0.34 | +0.20 – +0.47 |
| 19 | Mike Evans◦ provisional | TB | WR | 111 | +0.45 | +0.34 | +0.22 – +0.46 |
| 20 | Richie James◦ provisional | SF | WR | 35 | +0.68 | +0.34 | +0.20 – +0.47 |
| 21 | Kenny Golladay◦ provisional | DET | WR | 32 | +0.68 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.47 |
| 22 | Mecole Hardman◦ provisional | KC | WR | 63 | +0.50 | +0.33 | +0.21 – +0.46 |
| 23 | John Brown◦ provisional | BUF | WR | 52 | +0.53 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.46 |
| 24 | Isaiah McKenzie◦ provisional | BUF | WR | 34 | +0.63 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.46 |
| 25 | David Moore◦ provisional | SEA | WR | 47 | +0.54 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.46 |
| 26 | Nelson Agholor◦ provisional | LV | WR | 82 | +0.45 | +0.33 | +0.21 – +0.46 |
| 27 | Adam Thielen◦ provisional | MIN | WR | 110 | +0.42 | +0.33 | +0.21 – +0.45 |
| 28 | Byron Pringle◦ provisional | KC | WR | 17 | +0.89 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.46 |
| 29 | Brandin Cooks◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 119 | +0.41 | +0.33 | +0.21 – +0.45 |
| 30 | Mohamed Sanu◦ provisional | DET | WR | 25 | +0.69 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.46 |
| 31 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling◦ provisional | GB | WR | 63 | +0.46 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 32 | Tim Patrick◦ provisional | DEN | WR | 80 | +0.43 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 33 | Tre'Quan Smith◦ provisional | NO | WR | 50 | +0.49 | +0.33 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 34 | Randall Cobb◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 50 | +0.48 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 35 | Chase Claypool◦ provisional | PIT | WR | 112 | +0.39 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 36 | Kendrick Bourne◦ provisional | SF | WR | 75 | +0.42 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 37 | Bryan Edwards◦ provisional | LV | WR | 15 | +0.79 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.46 |
| 38 | Cameron Batson◦ provisional | TEN | WR | 13 | +0.84 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.46 |
| 39 | Marvin Hall◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 32 | +0.53 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.45 |
| 40 | Curtis Samuel◦ provisional | CAR | WR | 97 | +0.39 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.44 |
| 41 | Emmanuel Sanders◦ provisional | NO | WR | 82 | +0.40 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.45 |
| 42 | Tyler Johnson◦ provisional | TB | WR | 17 | +0.68 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.46 |
| 43 | KhaDarel Hodge◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 17 | +0.62 | +0.32 | +0.18 – +0.45 |
| 44 | Antonio Brown◦ provisional | TB | WR | 62 | +0.40 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.44 |
| 45 | Cam Sims◦ provisional | WAS | WR | 48 | +0.41 | +0.32 | +0.19 – +0.45 |
| 46 | Calvin Ridley◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 145 | +0.35 | +0.32 | +0.20 – +0.43 |
| 47 | Deonte Harty◦ provisional | NO | WR | 25 | +0.48 | +0.32 | +0.18 – +0.45 |
| 48 | Sammy Watkins◦ provisional | KC | WR | 55 | +0.39 | +0.31 | +0.19 – +0.44 |
| 49 | Quintez Cephus◦ provisional | DET | WR | 36 | +0.41 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.45 |
| 50 | Hunter Renfrow◦ provisional | LV | WR | 77 | +0.36 | +0.31 | +0.19 – +0.44 |
| 51 | Willie Snead◦ provisional | BAL | WR | 48 | +0.38 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 52 | Tyler Boyd◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 110 | +0.34 | +0.31 | +0.19 – +0.43 |
| 53 | Mike Williams◦ provisional | LAC | WR | 85 | +0.35 | +0.31 | +0.19 – +0.44 |
| 54 | Travis Fulgham◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 67 | +0.36 | +0.31 | +0.19 – +0.44 |
| 55 | Michael Pittman◦ provisional | IND | WR | 61 | +0.36 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 56 | DeAndre Hopkins◦ provisional | ARI | WR | 161 | +0.33 | +0.31 | +0.20 – +0.43 |
| 57 | Olamide Zaccheaus◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 32 | +0.39 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 58 | Chad Hansen◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 25 | +0.40 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 59 | Demarcus Robinson◦ provisional | KC | WR | 59 | +0.35 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 60 | Marquez Callaway◦ provisional | NO | WR | 27 | +0.39 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.44 |
| 61 | Kalif Raymond◦ provisional | TEN | WR | 15 | +0.45 | +0.31 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 62 | Equanimeous St. Brown◦ provisional | GB | WR | 13 | +0.44 | +0.31 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 63 | Collin Johnson◦ provisional | JAX | WR | 33 | +0.34 | +0.31 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 64 | T.Y. Hilton◦ provisional | IND | WR | 94 | +0.31 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.43 |
| 65 | Jakobi Meyers◦ provisional | NE | WR | 82 | +0.31 | +0.31 | +0.18 – +0.43 |
| 66 | Miles Boykin◦ provisional | BAL | WR | 33 | +0.32 | +0.31 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 67 | Marcus Johnson◦ provisional | IND | WR | 28 | +0.31 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 68 | Alshon Jeffery◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 13 | +0.32 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 69 | Henry Ruggs III◦ provisional | LV | WR | 43 | +0.31 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 70 | Zach Pascal◦ provisional | IND | WR | 72 | +0.30 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.43 |
| 71 | Steven Sims◦ provisional | WAS | WR | 37 | +0.29 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 72 | DeSean Jackson◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 26 | +0.28 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.44 |
| 73 | Amari Cooper◦ provisional | DAL | WR | 130 | +0.30 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.42 |
| 74 | Keke Coutee◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 41 | +0.29 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 75 | Keelan Cole◦ provisional | JAX | WR | 89 | +0.29 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.43 |
| 76 | Michael Thomas◦ provisional | NO | WR | 55 | +0.28 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 77 | Russell Gage◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 109 | +0.29 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.42 |
| 78 | Bisi Johnson◦ provisional | MIN | WR | 20 | +0.23 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 79 | Sterling Shepard◦ provisional | NYG | WR | 92 | +0.28 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.42 |
| 80 | Kenny Stills◦ provisional | HOU | WR | 19 | +0.21 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 81 | Freddie Swain◦ provisional | SEA | WR | 21 | +0.22 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 82 | Scott Miller◦ provisional | TB | WR | 53 | +0.27 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 83 | Noah Brown◦ provisional | DAL | WR | 25 | +0.22 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 84 | Golden Tate◦ provisional | NYG | WR | 52 | +0.26 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 85 | Quez Watkins◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 13 | +0.14 | +0.30 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 86 | Michael Gallup◦ provisional | DAL | WR | 105 | +0.28 | +0.30 | +0.18 – +0.42 |
| 87 | Jamison Crowder◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 89 | +0.27 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.42 |
| 88 | Alex Erickson◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 17 | +0.16 | +0.30 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 89 | C.J. Board◦ provisional | NYG | WR | 16 | +0.15 | +0.30 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 90 | Marquise Brown◦ provisional | BAL | WR | 100 | +0.27 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.42 |
| 91 | Chad Beebe◦ provisional | MIN | WR | 30 | +0.20 | +0.30 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 92 | Deebo Samuel Sr.◦ provisional | SF | WR | 44 | +0.23 | +0.30 | +0.17 – +0.43 |
| 93 | Dontrelle Inman◦ provisional | WAS | WR | 29 | +0.18 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 94 | Devin Duvernay◦ provisional | BAL | WR | 26 | +0.16 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 95 | Laviska Shenault Jr.◦ provisional | JAX | WR | 79 | +0.25 | +0.29 | +0.17 – +0.42 |
| 96 | Brandon Aiyuk◦ provisional | SF | WR | 96 | +0.25 | +0.29 | +0.17 – +0.42 |
| 97 | Christian Blake◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 18 | +0.08 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 98 | Auden Tate◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 22 | +0.11 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 99 | Cedrick Wilson Jr.◦ provisional | DAL | WR | 28 | +0.15 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 100 | Preston Williams◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 37 | +0.17 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.42 |
| 101 | Gabe Davis◦ provisional | BUF | WR | 62 | +0.22 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.42 |
| 102 | Adam Humphries◦ provisional | TEN | WR | 35 | +0.16 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.42 |
| 103 | Javon Wims◦ provisional | CHI | WR | 12 | -0.11 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.43 |
| 104 | Damiere Byrd◦ provisional | NE | WR | 77 | +0.21 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.41 |
| 105 | Chris Conley◦ provisional | JAX | WR | 63 | +0.19 | +0.29 | +0.16 – +0.41 |
| 106 | Ray-Ray McCloud◦ provisional | PIT | WR | 22 | +0.00 | +0.29 | +0.15 – +0.42 |
| 107 | Zay Jones◦ provisional | LV | WR | 20 | -0.06 | +0.29 | +0.15 – +0.42 |
| 108 | Cooper Kupp◦ provisional | LA | WR | 124 | +0.23 | +0.29 | +0.17 – +0.40 |
| 109 | Van Jefferson◦ provisional | LA | WR | 31 | +0.06 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.42 |
| 110 | DJ Moore◦ provisional | CAR | WR | 118 | +0.22 | +0.28 | +0.17 – +0.40 |
| 111 | Jalen Guyton◦ provisional | LAC | WR | 55 | +0.15 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.41 |
| 112 | Danny Amendola◦ provisional | DET | WR | 69 | +0.18 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.41 |
| 113 | Marvin Jones◦ provisional | DET | WR | 116 | +0.22 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.40 |
| 114 | Allen Robinson◦ provisional | CHI | WR | 151 | +0.23 | +0.28 | +0.17 – +0.40 |
| 115 | Isaiah Ford◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 44 | +0.11 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 116 | Denzel Mims◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 45 | +0.10 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 117 | Greg Ward◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 80 | +0.18 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.41 |
| 118 | James Washington◦ provisional | PIT | WR | 56 | +0.12 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 119 | Jakeem Grant◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 54 | +0.12 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 120 | Isaiah Wright◦ provisional | WAS | WR | 35 | +0.03 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 121 | Mack Hollins◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 26 | -0.06 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 122 | KeeSean Johnson◦ provisional | ARI | WR | 23 | -0.11 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 123 | Brandon Powell◦ provisional | ATL | WR | 18 | -0.25 | +0.28 | +0.14 – +0.41 |
| 124 | Terry McLaurin◦ provisional | WAS | WR | 135 | +0.21 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.40 |
| 125 | Odell Beckham Jr.◦ provisional | CLE | WR | 43 | +0.05 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.41 |
| 126 | Darius Slayton◦ provisional | NYG | WR | 96 | +0.18 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 127 | Robbie Chosen◦ provisional | CAR | WR | 137 | +0.21 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.39 |
| 128 | DeVante Parker◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 104 | +0.18 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 129 | JuJu Smith-Schuster◦ provisional | PIT | WR | 129 | +0.19 | +0.28 | +0.16 – +0.39 |
| 130 | Christian Kirk◦ provisional | ARI | WR | 79 | +0.14 | +0.28 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 131 | Braxton Berrios◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 55 | +0.08 | +0.27 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 132 | Jamal Agnew◦ provisional | DET | WR | 20 | -0.27 | +0.27 | +0.14 – +0.41 |
| 133 | Keenan Allen◦ provisional | LAC | WR | 149 | +0.20 | +0.27 | +0.16 – +0.39 |
| 134 | Julian Edelman◦ provisional | NE | WR | 39 | -0.01 | +0.27 | +0.14 – +0.41 |
| 135 | Jalen Reagor◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 55 | +0.07 | +0.27 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 136 | Josh Reynolds◦ provisional | LA | WR | 81 | +0.12 | +0.27 | +0.15 – +0.40 |
| 137 | Mike Thomas◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 21 | -0.31 | +0.27 | +0.14 – +0.40 |
| 138 | CeeDee Lamb◦ provisional | DAL | WR | 111 | +0.15 | +0.27 | +0.15 – +0.39 |
| 139 | Chris Hogan◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 26 | -0.25 | +0.27 | +0.13 – +0.40 |
| 140 | KJ Hamler◦ provisional | DEN | WR | 56 | +0.00 | +0.26 | +0.14 – +0.39 |
| 141 | Breshad Perriman◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 60 | +0.02 | +0.26 | +0.14 – +0.39 |
| 142 | DJ Chark◦ provisional | JAX | WR | 94 | +0.11 | +0.26 | +0.14 – +0.39 |
| 143 | Darnell Mooney◦ provisional | CHI | WR | 99 | +0.11 | +0.26 | +0.14 – +0.39 |
| 144 | John Hightower◦ provisional | PHI | WR | 30 | -0.28 | +0.26 | +0.13 – +0.39 |
| 145 | Anthony Miller◦ provisional | CHI | WR | 76 | +0.04 | +0.26 | +0.13 – +0.38 |
| 146 | Lynn Bowden◦ provisional | MIA | WR | 37 | -0.19 | +0.26 | +0.13 – +0.39 |
| 147 | Trent Taylor◦ provisional | SF | WR | 21 | -0.62 | +0.25 | +0.12 – +0.39 |
| 148 | Diontae Johnson◦ provisional | PIT | WR | 144 | +0.13 | +0.25 | +0.14 – +0.37 |
| 149 | DaeSean Hamilton◦ provisional | DEN | WR | 44 | -0.20 | +0.25 | +0.12 – +0.38 |
| 150 | Larry Fitzgerald◦ provisional | ARI | WR | 72 | -0.02 | +0.25 | +0.12 – +0.38 |
| 151 | Jeff Smith◦ provisional | NYJ | WR | 37 | -0.29 | +0.25 | +0.12 – +0.38 |
| 152 | Robert Woods◦ provisional | LA | WR | 129 | +0.09 | +0.25 | +0.13 – +0.37 |
| 153 | Andy Isabella◦ provisional | ARI | WR | 35 | -0.39 | +0.24 | +0.11 – +0.38 |
| 154 | Jerry Jeudy◦ provisional | DEN | WR | 115 | -0.01 | +0.23 | +0.11 – +0.35 |
| 155 | A.J. Green◦ provisional | CIN | WR | 104 | -0.15 | +0.21 | +0.08 – +0.33 |
How the shrinkage works
Two estimators
Rate stats (completion %, success rate, catch rate) use a beta-binomial model: a Beta(α, β) prior fit by marginal likelihood over each position group, then a Beta posterior per player. Per-play averages (EPA, CPOE, yards) use a normal-normal model with DerSimonian–Laird between-player variance. Both pull each player toward their group by exactly how thin their sample is.
Does it help? & the fine print
The trust panel’s numbers come from a leakage-free odd/even-week holdout: fit on odd weeks, predict even-week raw. Shrinkage lowers out-of-sample error for every stat. Priors are fit per season and per position (WR and TE separately), so a TE’s baseline isn’t a skill. Regular season only, 2016–2025. Rushing and receiving efficiency are heavily scheme-driven — read the wide bands as the honesty they are.
Source: nflverse play-by-play. Counted and computed deterministically — never modeled by a language model. Built by build_nfl_leaderboards.py (byte-reproducible).