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.

Target success rate · 2016

Share of targets with positive EPA, shrunk within position.

Beats raw by
21.9%
lower out-of-sample error
RMSE raw → shrunk
11.7% → 9.1%
odd vs. even weeks
Split-half reliability
0.19
how repeatable the raw stat is
Stabilizes at
205 TE · 102 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
40%50%60%TE avgWR avg1Cole BeasleyDAL · 9859.3%2Stefon DiggsMIN · 11256.3%3Pierre GarconWAS · 11456.3%4Michael ThomasNO · 12155.8%5Julio JonesATL · 13055.8%6Adam ThielenMIN · 9255.4%7Jordan ReedWAS · 9055.2%8Jordy NelsonGB · 15254.9%9Cameron BrateTB · 8154.8%10Travis KelceKC · 11854.7%11Jack DoyleIND · 7554.6%12Greg OlsenCAR · 13254.5%13Eric EbronDET · 8554.4%14Terrance WilliamsDAL · 6154.3%15Zach ErtzPHI · 10654.3%16Dwayne AllenIND · 5354.2%17Larry FitzgeraldARI · 15054.2%18Doug BaldwinSEA · 12654.2%19Mohamed SanuATL · 8254.1%20Anquan BoldinDET · 9554.1%21Jimmy GrahamSEA · 9553.9%22Eli RogersPIT · 6653.9%23Zach MillerCHI · 6453.8%24Vernon DavisWAS · 5953.7%25Daniel BrownCHI · 2053.7%26Willie SneadNO · 10453.6%27Hunter HenryLAC · 5453.6%28MarQueis GrayMIA · 1753.5%29Rob GronkowskiNE · 3853.4%30Will TyeNYG · 7053.4%31Stephen AndersonHOU · 1653.3%32Dion SimsMIA · 3553.2%33Erik SwoopeIND · 2253.2%34Brent CelekPHI · 1953.0%35Levine ToiloloATL · 1953.0%36Jerell AdamsNYG · 2153.0%37Tyler KroftCIN · 1252.9%38Darren FellsARI · 1852.8%39Austin Seferian-J…NYJ · 2052.8%40Bryan WaltersJAX · 3452.6%41Brandon ColemanNO · 3852.5%42Russell ShepardTB · 4052.5%43Danny AmendolaNE · 2952.3%

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.

Target success rate · 2016 · full board

Target success rate leaderboard for the 2016 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1Cole Beasley◦ provisionalDALWR9869.4%59.3%53.5%64.9%
2Stefon DiggsMINWR11262.5%56.3%50.7%61.8%
3Pierre GarconWASWR11462.3%56.3%50.7%61.8%
4Michael ThomasNOWR12161.2%55.8%50.3%61.3%
5Julio JonesATLWR13060.8%55.8%50.4%61.1%
6Adam Thielen◦ provisionalMINWR9262.0%55.4%49.5%61.2%
7Jordan Reed◦ provisionalWASTE9062.2%55.2%50.4%59.9%
8Jordy NelsonGBWR15258.6%54.9%49.8%60.0%
9Cameron Brate◦ provisionalTBTE8161.7%54.8%50.0%59.6%
10Travis Kelce◦ provisionalKCTE11859.3%54.7%50.2%59.3%
11Jack Doyle◦ provisionalINDTE7561.3%54.6%49.7%59.4%
12Greg Olsen◦ provisionalCARTE13258.3%54.5%50.1%59.0%
13Eric Ebron◦ provisionalDETTE8560.0%54.4%49.6%59.2%
14Terrance Williams◦ provisionalDALWR6162.3%54.3%47.9%60.7%
15Zach Ertz◦ provisionalPHITE10658.5%54.3%49.6%58.9%
16Dwayne Allen◦ provisionalINDTE5362.3%54.2%49.1%59.3%
17Larry FitzgeraldARIWR15057.3%54.2%49.0%59.3%
18Doug BaldwinSEAWR12657.9%54.2%48.7%59.6%
19Mohamed Sanu◦ provisionalATLWR8259.8%54.1%48.0%60.1%
20Anquan Boldin◦ provisionalDETWR9559.0%54.1%48.2%59.9%
21Jimmy Graham◦ provisionalSEATE9557.9%53.9%49.2%58.6%
22Eli Rogers◦ provisionalPITWR6660.6%53.9%47.5%60.2%
23Zach Miller◦ provisionalCHITE6459.4%53.8%48.8%58.8%
24Vernon Davis◦ provisionalWASTE5959.3%53.7%48.6%58.7%
25Daniel Brown◦ provisionalCHITE2070.0%53.7%48.2%59.1%
26Willie SneadNOWR10457.7%53.6%47.9%59.3%
27Hunter Henry◦ provisionalLACTE5459.3%53.6%48.5%58.7%
28MarQueis Gray◦ provisionalMIATE1770.6%53.5%48.0%59.0%
29Rob Gronkowski◦ provisionalNETE3860.5%53.4%48.1%58.6%
30Will Tye◦ provisionalNYGTE7057.1%53.4%48.4%58.3%
31Stephen Anderson◦ provisionalHOUTE1668.8%53.3%47.8%58.8%
32Tyler Boyd◦ provisionalCINWR8158.0%53.3%47.2%59.3%
33Dion Sims◦ provisionalMIATE3560.0%53.2%47.9%58.5%
34Erik Swoope◦ provisionalINDTE2263.6%53.2%47.8%58.6%
35Robert Woods◦ provisionalBUFWR7657.9%53.1%46.9%59.2%
36Brent Celek◦ provisionalPHITE1963.2%53.0%47.5%58.5%
37Levine Toilolo◦ provisionalATLTE1963.2%53.0%47.5%58.5%
38Jerell Adams◦ provisionalNYGTE2161.9%53.0%47.5%58.4%
39Chris Conley◦ provisionalKCWR6958.0%52.9%46.7%59.2%
40Tyler Kroft◦ provisionalCINTE1266.7%52.9%47.3%58.4%
41Darren Fells◦ provisionalARITE1861.1%52.8%47.3%58.3%
42Austin Seferian-Jenkins◦ provisionalNYJTE2060.0%52.8%47.3%58.2%
43Ben Koyack◦ provisionalJAXTE2458.3%52.7%47.3%58.1%
44Austin Hooper◦ provisionalATLTE2857.1%52.7%47.3%58.1%
45Tyler Lockett◦ provisionalSEAWR6657.6%52.7%46.4%59.0%
46Bryan Walters◦ provisionalJAXWR3461.8%52.6%45.5%59.6%
47Mychal Rivera◦ provisionalLVTE2556.0%52.5%47.1%57.9%
48Brandon Coleman◦ provisionalNOWR3860.5%52.5%45.6%59.4%
49Russell Shepard◦ provisionalTBWR4060.0%52.5%45.6%59.3%
50Jacob Tamme◦ provisionalATLTE3154.8%52.4%47.1%57.8%
51Martellus Bennett◦ provisionalNETE7353.4%52.4%47.5%57.4%
52David Johnson◦ provisionalPITTE1258.3%52.4%46.9%58.0%
53Demaryius ThomasDENWR14554.5%52.4%47.2%57.6%
54Neal Sterling◦ provisionalJAXTE1656.3%52.4%46.9%57.9%
55A.J. Derby◦ provisionalDENTE2055.0%52.3%46.9%57.8%
56Malcolm Mitchell◦ provisionalNEWR4858.3%52.3%45.6%59.0%
57Taylor Gabriel◦ provisionalATLWR5058.0%52.3%45.6%58.9%
58Danny Amendola◦ provisionalNEWR2962.1%52.3%45.1%59.4%
59Tyler Eifert◦ provisionalCINTE4753.2%52.3%47.1%57.5%
60Richard Rodgers◦ provisionalGBTE4753.2%52.3%47.1%57.5%
61A.J. Green◦ provisionalCINWR10055.0%52.2%46.5%58.0%
62Brandon Myers◦ provisionalTBTE1553.3%52.2%46.6%57.7%
63Nick O'Leary◦ provisionalBUFTE1553.3%52.2%46.6%57.7%
64C.J. Uzomah◦ provisionalCINTE3852.6%52.2%46.9%57.4%
65Luke Willson◦ provisionalSEATE2152.4%52.1%46.7%57.6%
66Cameron Meredith◦ provisionalCHIWR9754.6%52.0%46.2%57.8%
67Virgil Green◦ provisionalDENTE3751.3%52.0%46.7%57.2%
68Anthony Fasano◦ provisionalTENTE1450.0%51.9%46.4%57.5%
69Ryan Griffin◦ provisionalHOUTE7451.3%51.9%47.0%56.8%
70Coby Fleener◦ provisionalNOTE8251.2%51.8%47.0%56.7%
71Mike WallaceBALWR11753.8%51.8%46.3%57.4%
72Jermaine Gresham◦ provisionalARITE6150.8%51.8%46.8%56.8%
73Demetrius Harris◦ provisionalKCTE3250.0%51.8%46.5%57.1%
74John Phillips◦ provisionalNOTE1546.7%51.7%46.2%57.2%
75Jarvis LandryMIAWR13353.4%51.7%46.4%57.0%
76Darren Waller◦ provisionalBALTE1747.1%51.7%46.2%57.2%
77Jeff Heuerman◦ provisionalDENTE1747.1%51.7%46.2%57.2%
78Ed Dickson◦ provisionalCARTE1947.4%51.7%46.2%57.2%
79Jason Witten◦ provisionalDALTE9550.5%51.6%46.9%56.3%
80Ladarius Green◦ provisionalPITTE3548.6%51.6%46.3%56.9%
81T.Y. HiltonINDWR15752.9%51.5%46.4%56.6%
82Justin Hardy◦ provisionalATLWR3158.1%51.5%44.4%58.6%
83Seth DeValve◦ provisionalCLETE1241.7%51.5%45.9%57.1%
84Crockett Gillmore◦ provisionalBALTE1442.9%51.5%45.9%57.0%
85Mike EvansTBWR17552.6%51.4%46.5%56.4%
86Antonio Gates◦ provisionalLACTE9450.0%51.4%46.7%56.2%
87Rishard MatthewsTENWR10953.2%51.4%45.8%57.1%
88Jesse James◦ provisionalPITTE6149.2%51.4%46.4%56.5%
89Kendall Wright◦ provisionalTENWR4355.8%51.4%44.6%58.2%
90Brandin CooksNOWR11753.0%51.4%45.8%56.9%
91Randall Cobb◦ provisionalGBWR8453.6%51.3%45.3%57.4%
92Garrett Celek◦ provisionalSFTE5048.0%51.3%46.1%56.4%
93Alshon Jeffery◦ provisionalCHIWR9453.2%51.3%45.4%57.1%
94C.J. Fiedorowicz◦ provisionalHOUTE8949.4%51.3%46.5%56.1%
95Steve SmithBALWR10452.9%51.2%45.5%56.9%
96Harry Douglas◦ provisionalTENWR2259.1%51.2%43.9%58.6%
97Aldrick Robinson◦ provisionalATLWR3256.3%51.1%44.0%58.2%
98Deonte Thompson◦ provisionalCHIWR3655.6%51.1%44.1%58.1%
99Jared Cook◦ provisionalGBTE5147.1%51.1%46.0%56.2%
100Gary Barnidge◦ provisionalCLETE8348.2%51.0%46.1%55.8%
101Julian EdelmanNEWR16051.9%51.0%45.9%56.0%
102Trey Burton◦ provisionalPHITE6046.7%50.9%45.8%55.9%
103Jordan Matthews◦ provisionalPHITE11948.7%50.9%46.3%55.4%
104Emmanuel SandersDENWR13751.8%50.8%45.5%56.1%
105Xavier Grimble◦ provisionalPITTE2138.1%50.8%45.3%56.2%
106Delanie Walker◦ provisionalTENTE10248.0%50.7%46.1%55.4%
107Eddie Royal◦ provisionalCHIWR4353.5%50.7%43.9%57.5%
108Josh Hill◦ provisionalNOTE2236.4%50.6%45.1%56.0%
109Marcedes Lewis◦ provisionalJAXTE3040.0%50.5%45.2%55.9%
110Marqise LeeJAXWR10551.4%50.5%44.8%56.2%
111Brandon LaFellCINWR10751.4%50.5%44.8%56.1%
112Kenny BrittLAWR11151.3%50.5%44.9%56.1%
113Maurice Harris◦ provisionalWASWR1258.3%50.4%42.8%58.1%
114Marquess Wilson◦ provisionalCHIWR1656.3%50.4%42.9%58.0%
115Geronimo Allison◦ provisionalGBWR2254.5%50.4%43.0%57.8%
116Chester Rogers◦ provisionalINDWR3452.9%50.4%43.4%57.4%
117Paul Richardson◦ provisionalSEAWR3652.8%50.4%43.4%57.3%
118Sammy Watkins◦ provisionalBUFWR5251.9%50.3%43.7%56.9%
119Julius Thomas◦ provisionalJAXTE5143.1%50.3%45.2%55.4%
120Charles Clay◦ provisionalBUFTE8746.0%50.3%45.5%55.1%
121Dennis Pitta◦ provisionalBALTE12147.1%50.2%45.7%54.8%
122Rhett Ellison◦ provisionalMINTE1421.4%50.1%44.6%55.7%
123Larry Donnell◦ provisionalNYGTE2231.8%50.1%44.7%55.6%
124Andre Roberts◦ provisionalDETWR2552.0%50.0%42.7%57.3%
125Rod Streater◦ provisionalSFWR2751.8%50.0%42.8%57.2%
126John Brown◦ provisionalARIWR7350.7%50.0%43.8%56.2%
127DeVante Parker◦ provisionalMIAWR8750.6%50.0%44.0%56.0%
128Jamison Crowder◦ provisionalWASWR9950.5%50.0%44.2%55.8%
129Michael CrabtreeLVWR14750.3%50.0%44.8%55.2%
130Kyle Rudolph◦ provisionalMINTE13346.6%49.9%45.5%54.4%
131Kelvin BenjaminCARWR11850.0%49.8%44.3%55.3%
132Adam Humphries◦ provisionalTBWR8450.0%49.7%43.7%55.8%
133Clive Walford◦ provisionalLVTE5240.4%49.7%44.6%54.8%
134Chris Hogan◦ provisionalNEWR5850.0%49.7%43.2%56.2%
135Cobi Hamilton◦ provisionalPITWR2850.0%49.6%42.4%56.8%
136Jarius Wright◦ provisionalMINWR1450.0%49.6%42.0%57.2%
137Paul Turner◦ provisionalPHIWR1450.0%49.6%42.0%57.2%
138Keith Mumphery◦ provisionalHOUWR1250.0%49.6%41.9%57.2%
139Marvin JonesDETWR10349.5%49.5%43.8%55.3%
140Vance McDonald◦ provisionalSFTE4537.8%49.5%44.3%54.7%
141Lance Kendricks◦ provisionalLATE8742.5%49.2%44.4%54.0%
142Cody Core◦ provisionalCINWR2748.1%49.2%42.0%56.5%
143Andre Holmes◦ provisionalLVWR2548.0%49.2%42.0%56.5%
144Jordan Taylor◦ provisionalDENWR2548.0%49.2%42.0%56.5%
145DeAndre HopkinsHOUWR15149.0%49.2%44.1%54.4%
146Jalin Marshall◦ provisionalNYJWR2347.8%49.2%41.9%56.5%
147Chris Harper◦ provisionalSFWR2147.6%49.2%41.8%56.6%
148James Wright◦ provisionalCINWR1947.4%49.2%41.8%56.6%
149Cody Latimer◦ provisionalDENWR1546.7%49.2%41.6%56.7%
150DeMarcus Ayers◦ provisionalPITWR1346.2%49.1%41.5%56.8%
151Tyrell WilliamsLACWR11948.7%49.1%43.6%54.6%
152Ty Montgomery◦ provisionalGBWR5648.2%49.1%42.5%55.6%
153Andrew Hawkins◦ provisionalCLEWR5448.1%49.0%42.5%55.6%
154Sterling ShepardNYGWR10548.6%49.0%43.4%54.8%
155Dontrelle Inman◦ provisionalLACWR9748.4%49.0%43.2%54.8%
156Golden TateDETWR13648.5%49.0%43.6%54.3%
157Travis Benjamin◦ provisionalLACWR7548.0%48.9%42.7%55.0%
158Antonio BrownPITWR15748.4%48.9%43.8%53.9%
159DeSean Jackson◦ provisionalWASWR10048.0%48.8%43.0%54.5%
160Rashard Higgins◦ provisionalCLEWR1241.7%48.7%41.0%56.4%
161Charles D. Johnson◦ provisionalMINWR3746.0%48.6%41.6%55.5%
162Odell Beckham Jr.NYGWR16947.9%48.5%43.5%53.5%
163Donte Moncrief◦ provisionalINDWR5646.4%48.4%41.9%55.0%
164Jaron Brown◦ provisionalARIWR2343.5%48.4%41.1%55.8%
165Eric Decker◦ provisionalNYJWR2142.9%48.4%41.0%55.8%
166Tyreek Hill◦ provisionalKCWR8347.0%48.4%42.4%54.4%
167Kamar Aiken◦ provisionalBALWR5046.0%48.4%41.7%55.0%
168Jeff Janis◦ provisionalGBWR1942.1%48.4%40.9%55.8%
169Ryan Grant◦ provisionalWASWR1942.1%48.4%40.9%55.8%
170Dez Bryant◦ provisionalDALWR9846.9%48.3%42.5%54.1%
171Davante AdamsGBWR12347.1%48.2%42.8%53.7%
172Quinton Patton◦ provisionalSFWR6346.0%48.2%41.8%54.6%
173Terrelle PryorCLEWR14247.2%48.2%42.9%53.4%
174Quincy EnunwaNYJWR10546.7%48.1%42.4%53.8%
175Justin Hunter◦ provisionalBUFWR2441.7%48.0%40.8%55.3%
176Aaron Burbridge◦ provisionalSFWR1637.5%47.9%40.4%55.5%
177Brittan Golden◦ provisionalARIWR1435.7%47.9%40.3%55.5%
178Tajae Sharpe◦ provisionalTENWR8345.8%47.9%41.8%53.9%
179Michael Floyd◦ provisionalNEWR7745.5%47.8%41.7%53.9%
180Walt Powell◦ provisionalBUFWR2540.0%47.6%40.4%54.9%
181Josh Huff◦ provisionalTBWR2339.1%47.6%40.3%54.9%
182Phillip Dorsett◦ provisionalINDWR5944.1%47.5%41.1%54.0%
183Josh Bellamy◦ provisionalCHIWR3842.1%47.5%40.6%54.4%
184Jeremy Maclin◦ provisionalKCWR7644.7%47.5%41.4%53.6%
185Amari CooperLVWR13545.9%47.5%42.2%52.8%
186Ted Ginn◦ provisionalCARWR9545.3%47.5%41.6%53.3%
187Brice Butler◦ provisionalDALWR3240.6%47.4%40.4%54.5%
188Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE2913.8%47.3%42.0%52.7%
189Jaelen Strong◦ provisionalHOUWR2437.5%47.2%40.0%54.5%
190Pharoh Cooper◦ provisionalLAWR2035.0%47.1%39.8%54.6%
191Bryce Treggs◦ provisionalPHIWR1225.0%46.9%39.3%54.6%
192Cecil Shorts◦ provisionalTBWR2737.0%46.9%39.7%54.1%
193Victor Cruz◦ provisionalNYGWR7243.1%46.9%40.7%53.1%
194Andre Johnson◦ provisionalTENWR2334.8%46.8%39.5%54.1%
195Marquise Goodwin◦ provisionalBUFWR6842.6%46.8%40.5%53.1%
196Ricardo Louis◦ provisionalCLEWR3638.9%46.8%39.8%53.7%
197Kenny Stills◦ provisionalMIAWR8143.2%46.7%40.7%52.8%
198Vincent Jackson◦ provisionalTBWR3438.2%46.7%39.7%53.7%
199Darrius Heyward-Bey◦ provisionalPITWR1931.6%46.7%39.3%54.2%
200Roger Lewis◦ provisionalNYGWR1931.6%46.7%39.3%54.2%
201T.J. Jones◦ provisionalDETWR1526.7%46.6%39.1%54.2%
202Braxton Miller◦ provisionalHOUWR2835.7%46.6%39.4%53.8%
203Bennie Fowler◦ provisionalDENWR2433.3%46.4%39.2%53.8%
204Robbie Chosen◦ provisionalNYJWR7842.3%46.4%40.3%52.5%
205Jordan Norwood◦ provisionalDENWR3537.1%46.4%39.4%53.4%
206Charone Peake◦ provisionalNYJWR3537.1%46.4%39.4%53.4%
207Jeremy KerleySFWR11543.5%46.3%40.8%51.9%
208Dorial Green-Beckham◦ provisionalPHIWR7441.9%46.3%40.2%52.5%
209Devin Funchess◦ provisionalCARWR5940.7%46.3%39.9%52.8%
210Chris Moore◦ provisionalBALWR1625.0%46.2%38.7%53.8%
211Will Fuller◦ provisionalHOUWR9242.4%46.1%40.3%52.0%
212J.J. Nelson◦ provisionalARIWR7541.3%46.1%39.9%52.2%
213Kevin White◦ provisionalCHIWR3636.1%46.0%39.1%53.0%
214Jermaine Kearse◦ provisionalSEAWR8941.6%45.8%39.9%51.8%
215Allen RobinsonJAXWR15242.8%45.5%40.4%50.6%
216Brandon MarshallNYJWR12842.2%45.4%40.1%50.8%
217Corey Brown◦ provisionalCARWR5437.0%45.2%38.7%51.8%
218Nelson Agholor◦ provisionalPHIWR7038.6%45.1%38.9%51.3%
219Seth Roberts◦ provisionalLVWR7939.2%45.0%39.0%51.1%
220Albert Wilson◦ provisionalKCWR5135.3%44.8%38.2%51.4%
221Allen Hurns◦ provisionalJAXWR7638.2%44.7%38.6%50.8%
222Brian Quick◦ provisionalLAWR7737.7%44.4%38.4%50.5%
223Corey Coleman◦ provisionalCLEWR7337.0%44.3%38.2%50.5%
224Torrey Smith◦ provisionalSFWR4932.6%44.1%37.5%50.7%
225Sammie Coates◦ provisionalPITWR4932.6%44.1%37.5%50.7%
226Breshad Perriman◦ provisionalBALWR6634.8%43.8%37.5%50.1%
227Tavon AustinLAWR10631.1%40.2%34.6%45.8%

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).