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.

Catch rate · 2020

Receptions per target, shrunk within position (WR vs TE separately). Depth-of-target confound; catchable-target rate not available here.

Beats raw by
18.3%
lower out-of-sample error
RMSE raw → shrunk
11.1% → 9.1%
odd vs. even weeks
Split-half reliability
0.35
how repeatable the raw stat is
Stabilizes at
107 TE · 63 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
50%60%70%80%TE avgWR avg1Robert TonyanGB · 5974.6%2Curtis SamuelCAR · 9773.7%3Davante AdamsGB · 14973.6%4Stefon DiggsBUF · 16673.3%5Isaiah McKenzieBUF · 3473.1%6Tyler LockettSEA · 13272.3%7Chris Godwin Jr.TB · 8472.0%8Durham SmytheMIA · 2972.0%9Cole BeasleyBUF · 10871.9%10JuJu Smith-Schust…PIT · 12971.8%11Ray-Ray McCloudPIT · 2271.7%12Cooper KuppLA · 12471.1%13Keke CouteeHOU · 4171.1%14Cameron BrateTB · 3470.9%15Darren WallerLV · 14670.7%16Adam TrautmanNO · 1670.6%17Will DisslySEA · 2970.5%18Mo Alie-CoxIND · 3970.5%19Demarcus RobinsonKC · 5970.4%20Larry FitzgeraldARI · 7270.3%21Emmanuel SandersNO · 8270.3%22Kaden SmithNYG · 2170.2%23Julio JonesATL · 6870.2%24George KittleSF · 6470.1%25Drew SampleCIN · 5369.9%26Travis KelceKC · 14669.9%27Randall CobbHOU · 5069.8%28Pharaoh BrownHOU · 1669.8%29Jordan AkinsHOU · 4969.8%30Laviska Shenault …JAX · 7969.7%31Cameron BatsonTEN · 1369.6%32Ross DwelleySF · 2469.4%33Isaiah WrightWAS · 3569.3%34Nick BoyleBAL · 1769.3%35Deonte HartyNO · 2569.2%36Marquez CallawayNO · 2768.8%37Jace SternbergerGB · 1568.8%38Jason WittenLV · 1768.5%39Tyron JohnsonLAC · 2668.4%40Devin DuvernayBAL · 2668.4%41Byron PringleKC · 1767.4%

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.

Catch rate · 2020 · full board

Catch rate leaderboard for the 2020 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1Robert Tonyan◦ provisionalGBTE5988.1%74.6%68.9%80.0%
2Curtis SamuelCARWR9779.4%73.7%67.8%79.2%
3Davante AdamsGBWR14977.2%73.6%68.5%78.4%
4Stefon DiggsBUFWR16676.5%73.3%68.4%78.0%
5Isaiah McKenzie◦ provisionalBUFWR3488.2%73.1%65.5%80.2%
6Tyler LockettSEAWR13275.8%72.3%66.9%77.4%
7Chris Godwin Jr.TBWR8477.4%72.0%65.8%78.0%
8Durham Smythe◦ provisionalMIATE2989.7%72.0%65.5%78.1%
9Cole BeasleyBUFWR10875.9%71.9%66.1%77.4%
10JuJu Smith-SchusterPITWR12975.2%71.8%66.4%77.0%
11Ray-Ray McCloud◦ provisionalPITWR2290.9%71.7%63.4%79.4%
12Cooper KuppLAWR12474.2%71.1%65.5%76.4%
13Keke Coutee◦ provisionalHOUWR4180.5%71.1%63.6%78.1%
14Cameron Brate◦ provisionalTBTE3482.3%70.9%64.4%77.0%
15Darren WallerLVTE14673.3%70.7%65.9%75.3%
16Adam Trautman◦ provisionalNOTE1693.8%70.6%63.7%77.2%
17Will Dissly◦ provisionalSEATE2982.8%70.5%63.9%76.8%
18Mo Alie-Cox◦ provisionalINDTE3979.5%70.5%64.1%76.5%
19Demarcus Robinson◦ provisionalKCWR5976.3%70.4%63.5%77.0%
20Larry FitzgeraldARIWR7275.0%70.3%63.7%76.6%
21Emmanuel SandersNOWR8274.4%70.3%63.9%76.3%
22Kaden Smith◦ provisionalNYGTE2185.7%70.2%63.4%76.7%
23Julio JonesATLWR6875.0%70.2%63.4%76.5%
24George Kittle◦ provisionalSFTE6475.0%70.1%64.2%75.7%
25Drew Sample◦ provisionalCINTE5375.5%69.9%63.8%75.7%
26Travis KelceKCTE14671.9%69.9%65.1%74.6%
27Randall Cobb◦ provisionalHOUWR5076.0%69.8%62.6%76.7%
28Pharaoh Brown◦ provisionalHOUTE1687.5%69.8%62.8%76.4%
29Jordan Akins◦ provisionalHOUTE4975.5%69.8%63.6%75.7%
30Laviska Shenault Jr.JAXWR7973.4%69.7%63.2%75.8%
31Cameron Batson◦ provisionalTENWR1392.3%69.6%60.7%78.0%
32DeAndre HopkinsARIWR16171.4%69.6%64.5%74.6%
33Ross Dwelley◦ provisionalSFTE2479.2%69.4%62.6%75.8%
34Tyler BoydCINWR11071.8%69.3%63.4%74.9%
35Anthony Firkser◦ provisionalTENTE5373.6%69.3%63.2%75.1%
36Isaiah Wright◦ provisionalWASWR3577.1%69.3%61.4%76.7%
37Nick Boyle◦ provisionalBALTE1782.3%69.3%62.3%75.9%
38Hunter RenfrowLVWR7772.7%69.2%62.7%75.5%
39Deonte Harty◦ provisionalNOWR2580.0%69.2%60.9%77.0%
40Deebo Samuel Sr.◦ provisionalSFWR4475.0%69.1%61.6%76.2%
41David Moore◦ provisionalSEAWR4774.5%69.0%61.6%76.0%
42Richard Rodgers◦ provisionalPHITE3275.0%69.0%62.4%75.3%
43Sterling ShepardNYGWR9271.7%69.0%62.7%74.9%
44Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE6172.1%69.0%63.0%74.7%
45Lynn Bowden◦ provisionalMIAWR3775.7%68.9%61.1%76.3%
46Jakobi MeyersNEWR8272.0%68.9%62.5%75.1%
47Kyle Rudolph◦ provisionalMINTE3873.7%68.9%62.4%75.0%
48Amari CooperDALWR13070.8%68.9%63.3%74.2%
49Jarvis LandryCLEWR10171.3%68.8%62.8%74.7%
50Dalton Schultz◦ provisionalDALTE8970.8%68.8%63.3%74.1%
51Darren Fells◦ provisionalHOUTE2875.0%68.8%62.1%75.2%
52Marquez Callaway◦ provisionalNOWR2777.8%68.8%60.6%76.5%
53Jace Sternberger◦ provisionalGBTE1580.0%68.8%61.7%75.5%
54Antonio Brown◦ provisionalTBWR6272.6%68.7%61.8%75.3%
55Michael Thomas◦ provisionalNOWR5572.7%68.6%61.4%75.4%
56Dallas Goedert◦ provisionalPHITE6570.8%68.5%62.6%74.2%
57Jason Witten◦ provisionalLVTE1776.5%68.5%61.4%75.1%
58Tyron Johnson◦ provisionalLACWR2676.9%68.4%60.1%76.3%
59Devin Duvernay◦ provisionalBALWR2676.9%68.4%60.1%76.3%
60Vance McDonald◦ provisionalPITTE2075.0%68.4%61.5%75.0%
61James O'Shaughnessy◦ provisionalJAXTE3971.8%68.4%62.0%74.6%
62Corey DavisTENWR9270.7%68.3%62.1%74.3%
63Tyler Conklin◦ provisionalMINTE2673.1%68.3%61.6%74.8%
64Tyler Kroft◦ provisionalBUFTE1675.0%68.2%61.1%74.9%
65Robert WoodsLAWR12969.8%68.2%62.6%73.6%
66Will FullerHOUWR7570.7%68.0%61.4%74.4%
67Ryan Griffin◦ provisionalNYJTE1275.0%68.0%60.8%74.8%
68Geoff Swaim◦ provisionalTENTE1275.0%68.0%60.8%74.8%
69Robbie ChosenCARWR13769.3%68.0%62.4%73.3%
70Blake Bell◦ provisionalDALTE1573.3%67.9%60.8%74.7%
71Albert Okwuegbunam◦ provisionalDENTE1573.3%67.9%60.8%74.7%
72Steven Sims◦ provisionalWASWR3773.0%67.9%60.1%75.3%
73Allen Lazard◦ provisionalGBWR4671.7%67.8%60.3%75.0%
74Jack Doyle◦ provisionalINDTE3369.7%67.8%61.1%74.1%
75Rashard Higgins◦ provisionalCLEWR5271.2%67.8%60.4%74.7%
76Dan Arnold◦ provisionalARITE4568.9%67.7%61.3%73.8%
77Justin JeffersonMINWR12868.8%67.5%61.8%73.0%
78Irv Smith◦ provisionalMINTE4468.2%67.5%61.1%73.6%
79Byron Pringle◦ provisionalKCWR1776.5%67.4%58.6%75.7%
80Chris Herndon◦ provisionalNYJTE4667.4%67.2%60.9%73.3%
81Darrell Daniels◦ provisionalARITE1266.7%67.1%59.9%74.0%
82Brandin CooksHOUWR11968.1%67.0%61.2%72.6%
83Ryan Izzo◦ provisionalNETE2065.0%66.8%59.8%73.5%
84David Njoku◦ provisionalCLETE2965.5%66.8%60.1%73.3%
85Gerald Everett◦ provisionalLATE6266.1%66.8%60.7%72.6%
86Allen RobinsonCHIWR15167.5%66.8%61.4%72.0%
87Jimmy Graham◦ provisionalCHITE7665.8%66.6%60.8%72.2%
88Mark Andrews◦ provisionalBALTE8865.9%66.6%61.0%72.0%
89Noah Fant◦ provisionalDENTE9466.0%66.6%61.0%72.0%
90Austin Hooper◦ provisionalCLETE7065.7%66.6%60.7%72.3%
91Greg Olsen◦ provisionalSEATE3764.9%66.6%60.0%72.9%
92Willie Snead◦ provisionalBALWR4868.8%66.6%59.1%73.8%
93Jesse James◦ provisionalDETTE2263.6%66.6%59.6%73.2%
94Nick Vannett◦ provisionalDENTE2263.6%66.6%59.6%73.2%
95Ian Thomas◦ provisionalCARTE3164.5%66.6%59.8%73.0%
96Taysom Hill◦ provisionalNOTE1361.5%66.6%59.3%73.5%
97Christian Blake◦ provisionalATLWR1872.2%66.5%57.7%74.9%
98Bryan Edwards◦ provisionalLVWR1573.3%66.5%57.6%75.0%
99Keenan AllenLACWR14967.1%66.5%61.1%71.7%
100T.J. Hockenson◦ provisionalDETTE10265.7%66.4%61.0%71.7%
101Adam ThielenMINWR11067.3%66.4%60.4%72.2%
102Tre'Quan Smith◦ provisionalNOWR5068.0%66.3%58.8%73.4%
103Zay Jones◦ provisionalLVWR2070.0%66.2%57.4%74.4%
104Bisi Johnson◦ provisionalMINWR2070.0%66.2%57.4%74.4%
105Alex Erickson◦ provisionalCINWR1770.6%66.1%57.3%74.6%
106Tyler Johnson◦ provisionalTBWR1770.6%66.1%57.3%74.6%
107Harrison Bryant◦ provisionalCLETE3863.2%66.1%59.5%72.4%
108CeeDee LambDALWR11166.7%66.0%60.0%71.8%
109Marcedes Lewis◦ provisionalGBTE1758.8%66.0%58.9%72.9%
110Sammy Watkins◦ provisionalKCWR5567.3%66.0%58.7%73.0%
111Braxton Berrios◦ provisionalNYJWR5567.3%66.0%58.7%73.0%
112Golden Tate◦ provisionalNYGWR5267.3%66.0%58.6%73.1%
113Logan ThomasWASTE11164.9%66.0%60.6%71.2%
114Hunter Henry◦ provisionalLACTE9364.5%65.9%60.3%71.4%
115Danny AmendolaDETWR6966.7%65.8%58.9%72.5%
116Mohamed Sanu◦ provisionalDETWR2568.0%65.8%57.3%73.9%
117Chad Hansen◦ provisionalHOUWR2568.0%65.8%57.3%73.9%
118O.J. Howard◦ provisionalTBTE1957.9%65.8%58.7%72.6%
119Jamison CrowderNYJWR8966.3%65.7%59.3%71.9%
120Jakeem Grant◦ provisionalMIAWR5466.7%65.7%58.4%72.8%
121C.J. Board◦ provisionalNYGWR1668.8%65.7%56.7%74.2%
122Cole Kmet◦ provisionalCHITE4562.2%65.7%59.3%71.9%
123Cam Sims◦ provisionalWASWR4866.7%65.7%58.1%72.9%
124Greg WardPHIWR8066.3%65.7%59.0%72.1%
125Russell GageATLWR10966.1%65.6%59.6%71.5%
126A.J. BrownTENWR10666.0%65.6%59.5%71.5%
127Chad Beebe◦ provisionalMINWR3066.7%65.5%57.2%73.4%
128Troy Fumagalli◦ provisionalDENTE1553.3%65.5%58.3%72.4%
129Jacob Hollister◦ provisionalSEATE4161.0%65.5%58.9%71.8%
130Donovan Peoples-Jones◦ provisionalCLEWR2166.7%65.4%56.7%73.7%
131Brandon Powell◦ provisionalATLWR1866.7%65.3%56.5%73.8%
132Marvin JonesDETWR11665.5%65.3%59.4%71.0%
133Michael Pittman◦ provisionalINDWR6165.6%65.3%58.1%72.1%
134Jonnu Smith◦ provisionalTENTE6662.1%65.2%59.2%71.1%
135Hayden Hurst◦ provisionalATLTE8962.9%65.2%59.6%70.7%
136Adam Humphries◦ provisionalTENWR3565.7%65.2%57.1%72.9%
137Richie James◦ provisionalSFWR3565.7%65.2%57.1%72.9%
138Jared Cook◦ provisionalNOTE6061.7%65.2%59.0%71.1%
139Demetrius Harris◦ provisionalCHITE1450.0%65.2%57.9%72.1%
140Kendrick BourneSFWR7565.3%65.1%58.4%71.7%
141Mike Gesicki◦ provisionalMIATE8562.4%65.0%59.3%70.6%
142Adam Shaheen◦ provisionalMIATE2254.5%65.0%58.0%71.8%
143Mecole HardmanKCWR6365.1%65.0%57.9%71.8%
144KeeSean Johnson◦ provisionalARIWR2365.2%65.0%56.4%73.2%
145Jamal Agnew◦ provisionalDETWR2065.0%65.0%56.2%73.3%
146KhaDarel Hodge◦ provisionalCLEWR1764.7%64.9%55.9%73.4%
147Trey Burton◦ provisionalINDTE4759.6%64.8%58.4%71.0%
148Anthony MillerCHIWR7664.5%64.7%57.9%71.2%
149Tyreek HillKCWR13564.4%64.6%58.9%70.1%
150Auden Tate◦ provisionalCINWR2263.6%64.6%55.9%72.9%
151Terry McLaurinWASWR13564.4%64.6%58.9%70.1%
152Tyler Eifert◦ provisionalJAXTE6060.0%64.6%58.4%70.6%
153DK MetcalfSEAWR12964.3%64.5%58.8%70.1%
154Josh ReynoldsLAWR8164.2%64.5%57.9%70.9%
155Donald Parham◦ provisionalLACTE2050.0%64.5%57.4%71.3%
156Isaiah Ford◦ provisionalMIAWR4463.6%64.4%56.7%71.8%
157John Brown◦ provisionalBUFWR5263.5%64.3%56.8%71.5%
158Tim PatrickDENWR8063.7%64.3%57.6%70.7%
159Eric Ebron◦ provisionalPITTE9260.9%64.3%58.6%69.8%
160Chris ConleyJAXWR6363.5%64.2%57.1%71.1%
161Mike Thomas◦ provisionalCINWR2161.9%64.2%55.4%72.5%
162Freddie Swain◦ provisionalSEAWR2161.9%64.2%55.4%72.5%
163Kenny Golladay◦ provisionalDETWR3262.5%64.1%55.9%72.0%
164Olamide Zaccheaus◦ provisionalATLWR3262.5%64.1%55.9%72.0%
165Dontrelle Inman◦ provisionalWASWR2962.1%64.0%55.7%72.0%
166Kalif Raymond◦ provisionalTENWR1560.0%64.0%54.9%72.7%
167Jordan Reed◦ provisionalSFTE4656.5%64.0%57.5%70.2%
168Mack Hollins◦ provisionalMIAWR2661.5%63.9%55.4%72.1%
169N'Keal Harry◦ provisionalNETE5757.9%63.9%57.7%70.0%
170Mike EvansTBWR11163.1%63.7%57.7%69.6%
171Van Jefferson◦ provisionalLAWR3161.3%63.7%55.4%71.7%
172Scott Miller◦ provisionalTBWR5362.3%63.7%56.3%70.9%
173Cedrick Wilson Jr.◦ provisionalDALWR2860.7%63.6%55.2%71.7%
174Rob Gronkowski◦ provisionalTBTE7758.4%63.5%57.6%69.3%
175Dawson Knox◦ provisionalBUFTE4454.5%63.5%56.9%69.8%
176Brandon AiyukSFWR9662.5%63.5%57.1%69.6%
177Kenny Stills◦ provisionalHOUWR1957.9%63.3%54.4%71.8%
178Andy Isabella◦ provisionalARIWR3560.0%63.2%55.0%71.0%
179Henry Ruggs III◦ provisionalLVWR4360.5%63.1%55.3%70.7%
180Keelan ColeJAXWR8961.8%63.1%56.6%69.4%
181Tee HigginsCINWR10862.0%63.1%57.0%69.1%
182Equanimeous St. Brown◦ provisionalGBWR1353.8%63.0%53.8%71.9%
183Quez Watkins◦ provisionalPHIWR1353.8%63.0%53.8%71.9%
184Calvin RidleyATLWR14562.1%62.9%57.4%68.4%
185Darnell MooneyCHIWR9961.6%62.9%56.6%69.0%
186Zach PascalINDWR7261.1%62.9%56.0%69.6%
187Damiere ByrdNEWR7761.0%62.8%56.0%69.4%
188Christian KirkARIWR7960.8%62.6%55.9%69.2%
189Javon Wims◦ provisionalCHIWR1250.0%62.5%53.2%71.5%
190Evan EngramNYGTE10957.8%62.4%57.0%67.8%
191Miles Boykin◦ provisionalBALWR3357.6%62.4%54.1%70.3%
192Noah Brown◦ provisionalDALWR2556.0%62.4%53.8%70.7%
193Diontae JohnsonPITWR14461.1%62.3%56.7%67.7%
194DeVante ParkerMIAWR10460.6%62.2%56.0%68.3%
195Marvin Hall◦ provisionalCLEWR3256.3%62.0%53.7%70.0%
196T.Y. HiltonINDWR9459.6%61.7%55.3%68.0%
197Alshon Jeffery◦ provisionalPHIWR1346.2%61.7%52.4%70.7%
198DeSean Jackson◦ provisionalPHIWR2653.8%61.7%53.1%70.0%
199Chris Hogan◦ provisionalNYJWR2653.8%61.7%53.1%70.0%
200Quintez Cephus◦ provisionalDETWR3655.6%61.5%53.4%69.4%
201Collin Johnson◦ provisionalJAXWR3354.5%61.4%53.1%69.4%
202Nelson AgholorLVWR8258.5%61.3%54.6%67.9%
203Jalen Reagor◦ provisionalPHIWR5556.4%60.9%53.5%68.2%
204Gabe Davis◦ provisionalBUFWR6256.5%60.7%53.5%67.8%
205Julian Edelman◦ provisionalNEWR3953.8%60.7%52.6%68.5%
206Travis FulghamPHIWR6756.7%60.7%53.6%67.6%
207Marquise BrownBALWR10058.0%60.7%54.3%66.9%
208Trent Taylor◦ provisionalSFWR2147.6%60.6%51.7%69.2%
209Marcus Johnson◦ provisionalINDWR2850.0%60.3%51.8%68.6%
210Odell Beckham Jr.◦ provisionalCLEWR4353.5%60.3%52.4%68.0%
211Mike WilliamsLACWR8556.5%60.1%53.4%66.6%
212Zach Ertz◦ provisionalPHITE7349.3%59.9%53.8%65.8%
213DJ CharkJAXWR9456.4%59.8%53.3%66.2%
214DaeSean Hamilton◦ provisionalDENWR4452.3%59.7%51.8%67.4%
215James Washington◦ provisionalPITWR5653.6%59.6%52.1%66.9%
216KJ Hamler◦ provisionalDENWR5653.6%59.6%52.1%66.9%
217Michael GallupDALWR10556.2%59.5%53.2%65.6%
218Denzel Mims◦ provisionalNYJWR4551.1%59.2%51.3%66.8%
219DJ MooreCARWR11855.9%59.1%53.0%65.0%
220Preston Williams◦ provisionalMIAWR3748.6%58.9%50.7%66.9%
221Chase ClaypoolPITWR11255.4%58.8%52.6%64.8%
222Marquez Valdes-ScantlingGBWR6352.4%58.7%51.4%65.8%
223Jalen Guyton◦ provisionalLACWR5550.9%58.4%50.9%65.8%
224Jeff Smith◦ provisionalNYJWR3746.0%57.9%49.7%65.9%
225Breshad Perriman◦ provisionalNYJWR6050.0%57.6%50.3%64.9%
226Darius SlaytonNYGWR9652.1%57.2%50.7%63.6%
227John Hightower◦ provisionalPHIWR3033.3%54.7%46.2%63.1%
228A.J. GreenCINWR10445.2%52.6%46.3%59.0%
229Jerry JeudyDENWR11545.2%52.2%46.0%58.3%

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).