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 · 2021

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
154 TE · 174 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
40%45%50%55%60%TE avgWR avg1Cooper KuppLA · 19257.3%2Travis KelceKC · 13457.0%3Dalton SchultzDAL · 10656.9%4Dallas GoedertPHI · 7756.7%5Mark AndrewsBAL · 15856.4%6Kendrick BourneNE · 7056.1%7Tee HigginsCIN · 11156.1%8George KittleSF · 9455.7%9Maxx WilliamsARI · 1755.6%10Chris Godwin Jr.TB · 12755.4%11Davante AdamsGB · 16955.3%12Hunter HenryNE · 7555.0%13MyCole PruittTEN · 1954.9%14Tyreek HillKC · 15954.9%15Tyler HigbeeLA · 8554.8%16Albert OkwuegbunamDEN · 4054.7%17Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · 12154.5%18Harrison BryantCLE · 2854.4%19Jaylen WaddleMIA · 14054.4%20Rob GronkowskiTB · 8954.3%21Dawson KnoxBUF · 7154.2%22Michael PittmanIND · 13054.2%23John BatesWAS · 2554.2%24David NjokuCLE · 5354.1%25Dan ArnoldJAX · 5354.1%26Robert WoodsLA · 7054.0%27Gerald EverettSEA · 6353.9%28Will DisslySEA · 2653.9%29Durham SmytheMIA · 4153.9%30Jack DoyleIND · 4553.8%31Stephen AndersonLAC · 1953.8%32Byron PringleKC · 6053.8%33Adam ShaheenMIA · 1653.5%34James ProcheBAL · 2053.5%35Allen LazardGB · 6053.3%36Nick VannettNO · 1553.3%37Brandon ZylstraCAR · 2552.6%38Cyril GraysonTB · 1252.6%39Mohamed SanuSF · 2452.4%40Isaiah McKenzieBUF · 2652.4%41Lil'Jordan Humphr…NO · 1952.2%42Kendall HintonDEN · 2352.2%

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 · 2021 · full board

Target success rate leaderboard for the 2021 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1Cooper KuppLAWR19263.0%57.3%53.0%61.6%
2Travis Kelce◦ provisionalKCTE13461.9%57.0%52.1%61.7%
3Dalton Schultz◦ provisionalDALTE10663.2%56.9%51.9%62.0%
4Dallas Goedert◦ provisionalPHITE7764.9%56.7%51.3%62.1%
5Mark AndrewsBALTE15860.1%56.4%51.8%61.0%
6Kendrick Bourne◦ provisionalNEWR7068.6%56.1%50.8%61.3%
7Tee Higgins◦ provisionalCINWR11164.0%56.1%51.2%60.9%
8George Kittle◦ provisionalSFTE9460.6%55.7%50.5%60.8%
9Maxx Williams◦ provisionalARITE1782.3%55.6%49.3%61.8%
10Chris Godwin Jr.◦ provisionalTBWR12761.4%55.4%50.7%60.1%
11Davante Adams◦ provisionalGBWR16959.8%55.3%50.9%59.7%
12Hunter Henry◦ provisionalNETE7560.0%55.0%49.6%60.4%
13MyCole Pruitt◦ provisionalTENTE1973.7%54.9%48.7%61.1%
14Tyreek Hill◦ provisionalKCWR15959.1%54.9%50.4%59.4%
15Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE8558.8%54.8%49.5%60.1%
16Albert Okwuegbunam◦ provisionalDENTE4062.5%54.7%48.8%60.5%
17Amon-Ra St. Brown◦ provisionalDETWR12159.5%54.5%49.7%59.3%
18Harrison Bryant◦ provisionalCLETE2864.3%54.4%48.3%60.5%
19Jaylen Waddle◦ provisionalMIAWR14058.6%54.4%49.8%59.0%
20Rob Gronkowski◦ provisionalTBTE8957.3%54.3%49.1%59.6%
21Dawson Knox◦ provisionalBUFTE7157.8%54.2%48.8%59.7%
22Michael Pittman◦ provisionalINDWR13058.5%54.2%49.5%58.9%
23John Bates◦ provisionalWASTE2564.0%54.2%48.1%60.3%
24David Njoku◦ provisionalCLETE5358.5%54.1%48.4%59.8%
25Dan Arnold◦ provisionalJAXTE5358.5%54.1%48.4%59.8%
26Robert Woods◦ provisionalLAWR7061.4%54.0%48.8%59.2%
27Gerald Everett◦ provisionalSEATE6357.1%53.9%48.4%59.5%
28Will Dissly◦ provisionalSEATE2661.5%53.9%47.8%60.0%
29Durham Smythe◦ provisionalMIATE4158.5%53.9%48.0%59.7%
30Jack Doyle◦ provisionalINDTE4557.8%53.8%48.0%59.6%
31Stephen Anderson◦ provisionalLACTE1963.2%53.8%47.5%60.0%
32Byron Pringle◦ provisionalKCWR6061.7%53.8%48.4%59.1%
33Austin Hooper◦ provisionalCLETE6256.5%53.7%48.1%59.3%
34Christian Kirk◦ provisionalARIWR10358.3%53.7%48.8%58.6%
35Adam Shaheen◦ provisionalMIATE1662.5%53.5%47.3%59.8%
36James Proche◦ provisionalBALWR2075.0%53.5%47.6%59.4%
37Pat Freiermuth◦ provisionalPITTE8055.0%53.4%48.1%58.8%
38Mike Evans◦ provisionalTBWR11457.0%53.4%48.5%58.2%
39Hunter Renfrow◦ provisionalLVWR12956.6%53.4%48.7%58.1%
40Allen Lazard◦ provisionalGBWR6060.0%53.3%47.9%58.7%
41Marcedes Lewis◦ provisionalGBTE2857.1%53.3%47.2%59.4%
42Anthony Firkser◦ provisionalTENTE4355.8%53.3%47.5%59.1%
43Cedrick Wilson Jr.◦ provisionalDALWR6259.7%53.3%47.9%58.6%
44Nick Vannett◦ provisionalNOTE1560.0%53.3%47.0%59.6%
45Russell Gage◦ provisionalATLWR9457.5%53.3%48.3%58.3%
46DeAndre Hopkins◦ provisionalARIWR6459.4%53.3%47.9%58.6%
47Blake Jarwin◦ provisionalDALTE1758.8%53.2%47.0%59.5%
48Tim Patrick◦ provisionalDENWR8557.6%53.2%48.1%58.3%
49O.J. Howard◦ provisionalTBTE2157.1%53.2%46.9%59.3%
50Logan Thomas◦ provisionalWASTE2556.0%53.1%46.9%59.2%
51Eric Saubert◦ provisionalDENTE1258.3%53.0%46.7%59.4%
52C.J. Uzomah◦ provisionalCINTE6354.0%53.0%47.4%58.6%
53James O'Shaughnessy◦ provisionalJAXTE3554.3%52.9%46.9%58.9%
54Stefon Diggs◦ provisionalBUFWR16454.9%52.9%48.4%57.4%
55Juwan Johnson◦ provisionalNOTE2254.5%52.9%46.7%59.0%
56Justin Jefferson◦ provisionalMINWR17054.7%52.8%48.4%57.3%
57Donald Parham◦ provisionalLACTE2853.6%52.8%46.7%58.8%
58Nick Westbrook-Ikhine◦ provisionalTENWR5757.9%52.7%47.3%58.1%
59Kyle Pitts◦ provisionalATLTE11052.7%52.7%47.6%57.7%
60Brandon Zylstra◦ provisionalCARWR2564.0%52.6%46.8%58.5%
61A.J. Brown◦ provisionalTENWR10555.2%52.6%47.7%57.5%
62Julio Jones◦ provisionalTENWR4858.3%52.6%47.1%58.1%
63Ja'Marr Chase◦ provisionalCINWR12854.7%52.6%47.8%57.3%
64Cyril Grayson◦ provisionalTBWR1275.0%52.6%46.5%58.6%
65Randall Cobb◦ provisionalGBWR3959.0%52.5%46.8%58.1%
66Robert Tonyan◦ provisionalGBTE2951.7%52.5%46.4%58.5%
67Hayden Hurst◦ provisionalATLTE3151.6%52.4%46.4%58.5%
68Jordan Akins◦ provisionalHOUTE3351.5%52.4%46.4%58.4%
69Mohamed Sanu◦ provisionalSFWR2462.5%52.4%46.6%58.2%
70Isaiah McKenzie◦ provisionalBUFWR2661.5%52.4%46.6%58.2%
71Laquon Treadwell◦ provisionalJAXWR5156.9%52.3%46.9%57.8%
72N'Keal Harry◦ provisionalNETE2250.0%52.3%46.1%58.5%
73Jakobi Meyers◦ provisionalNEWR12853.9%52.3%47.5%57.0%
74Lil'Jordan Humphrey◦ provisionalNOWR1963.2%52.2%46.3%58.1%
75Kendall Hinton◦ provisionalDENWR2360.9%52.2%46.3%58.0%
76Jalen Guyton◦ provisionalLACWR4856.3%52.1%46.6%57.6%
77Jamison Crowder◦ provisionalNYJWR7354.8%52.1%46.9%57.4%
78Jacob Hollister◦ provisionalJAXTE1546.7%52.1%45.8%58.4%
79Drew Sample◦ provisionalCINTE1546.7%52.1%45.8%58.4%
80Kyle Rudolph◦ provisionalNYGTE4050.0%52.1%46.2%58.0%
81Amari Cooper◦ provisionalDALWR10453.8%52.1%47.1%57.0%
82Geoff Swaim◦ provisionalTENTE4050.0%52.1%46.2%58.0%
83Zach Ertz◦ provisionalARITE11351.3%52.1%47.0%57.1%
84Brock Wright◦ provisionalDETTE1747.1%52.1%45.8%58.3%
85Ryan Griffin◦ provisionalNYJTE4250.0%52.1%46.2%57.9%
86Mecole Hardman◦ provisionalKCWR8354.2%52.0%46.9%57.2%
87Keenan Allen◦ provisionalLACWR15853.2%52.0%47.5%56.5%
88Foster Moreau◦ provisionalLVTE4450.0%52.0%46.2%57.9%
89T.Y. Hilton◦ provisionalINDWR3756.8%52.0%46.4%57.7%
90Damiere Byrd◦ provisionalCHIWR3956.4%52.0%46.4%57.6%
91Tyler Kroft◦ provisionalNYJTE2548.0%52.0%45.8%58.1%
92Josh Reynolds◦ provisionalDETWR4955.1%51.9%46.4%57.4%
93Josh Palmer◦ provisionalLACWR4955.1%51.9%46.4%57.4%
94Jared Cook◦ provisionalLACTE8550.6%51.9%46.6%57.2%
95Brandin Cooks◦ provisionalHOUWR13453.0%51.9%47.2%56.5%
96Noah Fant◦ provisionalDENTE9150.5%51.8%46.6%57.1%
97Cole Beasley◦ provisionalBUFWR11353.1%51.8%47.0%56.7%
98Brandon Aiyuk◦ provisionalSFWR8653.5%51.8%46.7%56.9%
99Henry Ruggs III◦ provisionalLVWR3655.6%51.8%46.1%57.5%
100CeeDee Lamb◦ provisionalDALWR12152.9%51.8%47.0%56.6%
101Eric Ebron◦ provisionalPITTE1844.4%51.8%45.5%58.0%
102Emmanuel Sanders◦ provisionalBUFWR7353.4%51.7%46.5%57.0%
103Jimmy Graham◦ provisionalCHITE2445.8%51.7%45.6%57.8%
104Mike Gesicki◦ provisionalMIATE11350.4%51.7%46.7%56.7%
105T.J. Hockenson◦ provisionalDETTE8650.0%51.7%46.4%57.0%
106Cam Sims◦ provisionalWASWR2356.5%51.7%45.8%57.5%
107Quintez Cephus◦ provisionalDETWR2356.5%51.7%45.8%57.5%
108A.J. Green◦ provisionalARIWR9352.7%51.6%46.6%56.6%
109Rondale Moore◦ provisionalARIWR6453.1%51.6%46.3%56.9%
110Rashod Bateman◦ provisionalBALWR6852.9%51.6%46.3%56.8%
111Blake Bell◦ provisionalKCTE1338.5%51.5%45.2%57.9%
112Chester Rogers◦ provisionalTENWR4353.5%51.5%45.9%57.1%
113Josh Oliver◦ provisionalBALTE1540.0%51.5%45.2%57.8%
114Kylen Granson◦ provisionalINDTE1540.0%51.5%45.2%57.8%
115Malik Turner◦ provisionalDALWR1656.3%51.5%45.5%57.4%
116John Ross◦ provisionalNYGWR2055.0%51.4%45.5%57.3%
117Zach Gentry◦ provisionalPITTE2544.0%51.4%45.3%57.5%
118Allen Robinson◦ provisionalCHIWR6752.2%51.4%46.1%56.6%
119Kalif Raymond◦ provisionalDETWR7152.1%51.3%46.1%56.6%
120Jauan Jennings◦ provisionalSFWR3852.6%51.3%45.7%56.9%
121Mike Williams◦ provisionalLACWR13051.5%51.2%46.5%56.0%
122Tommy Sweeney◦ provisionalBUFTE1233.3%51.2%44.9%57.6%
123Tyler Boyd◦ provisionalCINWR9551.6%51.2%46.2%56.2%
124Isaiah Ford◦ provisionalMIAWR1752.9%51.2%45.2%57.1%
125Antonio Brown◦ provisionalTBWR6251.6%51.2%45.8%56.5%
126DeVonta Smith◦ provisionalPHIWR10551.4%51.2%46.3%56.1%
127Zay Jones◦ provisionalLVWR7051.4%51.1%45.9%56.4%
128Brevin Jordan◦ provisionalHOUTE2842.9%51.1%45.0%57.2%
129Tommy Tremble◦ provisionalCARTE3644.4%51.1%45.1%57.0%
130Kadarius Toney◦ provisionalNYGWR5750.9%51.0%45.6%56.4%
131Tyler Lockett◦ provisionalSEAWR10850.9%51.0%46.1%55.9%
132Corey Davis◦ provisionalNYJWR5950.8%51.0%45.6%56.4%
133Deonte Harty◦ provisionalNOWR5950.8%51.0%45.6%56.4%
134Gabe Davis◦ provisionalBUFWR6350.8%51.0%45.6%56.3%
135Penny Hart◦ provisionalSEAWR1250.0%50.9%44.9%57.0%
136Chris Moore◦ provisionalHOUWR2250.0%50.9%45.0%56.8%
137DeSean Jackson◦ provisionalLVWR3450.0%50.8%45.1%56.5%
138Adam Thielen◦ provisionalMINWR9550.5%50.8%45.8%55.9%
139Josiah Deguara◦ provisionalGBTE3342.4%50.8%44.8%56.8%
140Olamide Zaccheaus◦ provisionalATLWR5450.0%50.8%45.3%56.2%
141Deebo Samuel Sr.◦ provisionalSFWR12150.4%50.8%46.0%55.5%
142Jerry Jeudy◦ provisionalDENWR5650.0%50.8%45.4%56.2%
143Juwann Winfree◦ provisionalGBWR1346.2%50.7%44.7%56.7%
144Jakeem Grant◦ provisionalCHIWR1747.1%50.7%44.7%56.6%
145Equanimeous St. Brown◦ provisionalGBWR1747.1%50.7%44.7%56.6%
146Jeff Smith◦ provisionalNYJWR1747.1%50.7%44.7%56.6%
147Marcus Johnson◦ provisionalTENWR1947.4%50.7%44.7%56.6%
148Collin Johnson◦ provisionalNYGWR2147.6%50.6%44.8%56.5%
149Noah Brown◦ provisionalDALWR2548.0%50.6%44.8%56.5%
150Tyler Conklin◦ provisionalMINTE8747.1%50.6%45.4%55.9%
151Cole Kmet◦ provisionalCHITE9347.3%50.6%45.4%55.8%
152Danny Amendola◦ provisionalHOUWR3948.7%50.6%45.0%56.2%
153Tajae Sharpe◦ provisionalATLWR3748.6%50.6%44.9%56.3%
154Terry McLaurin◦ provisionalWASWR13050.0%50.6%45.9%55.3%
155Sammy Watkins◦ provisionalBALWR4949.0%50.6%45.1%56.1%
156Tre'Quan Smith◦ provisionalNOWR5149.0%50.6%45.1%56.0%
157Donovan Peoples-Jones◦ provisionalCLEWR5949.1%50.5%45.2%55.9%
158Quez Watkins◦ provisionalPHIWR6349.2%50.5%45.2%55.9%
159DeVante Parker◦ provisionalMIAWR7349.3%50.5%45.3%55.7%
160Adam Trautman◦ provisionalNOTE4443.2%50.5%44.7%56.4%
161Phillip Dorsett◦ provisionalHOUWR1442.9%50.4%44.4%56.4%
162Breshad Perriman◦ provisionalTBWR1844.4%50.4%44.5%56.3%
163Ashton Dulin◦ provisionalINDWR2245.5%50.4%44.5%56.3%
164Marquise Goodwin◦ provisionalCHIWR4047.5%50.4%44.7%56.0%
165Jamal Agnew◦ provisionalJAXWR4047.5%50.4%44.7%56.0%
166Keelan Cole◦ provisionalNYJWR5248.1%50.3%44.9%55.8%
167Michael Gallup◦ provisionalDALWR6248.4%50.3%45.0%55.7%
168Nico Collins◦ provisionalHOUWR6048.3%50.3%45.0%55.7%
169Marquez Callaway◦ provisionalNOWR8448.8%50.3%45.2%55.4%
170Courtland Sutton◦ provisionalDENWR10049.0%50.3%45.3%55.3%
171Laviska Shenault Jr.◦ provisionalJAXWR10049.0%50.3%45.3%55.3%
172Darren Waller◦ provisionalLVTE9346.2%50.2%45.0%55.4%
173Chris Conley◦ provisionalHOUWR3746.0%50.1%44.5%55.8%
174Demarcus Robinson◦ provisionalKCWR4146.3%50.1%44.5%55.7%
175Mack Hollins◦ provisionalMIAWR2944.8%50.1%44.4%55.9%
176Rashard Higgins◦ provisionalCLEWR4746.8%50.1%44.6%55.6%
177Ian Thomas◦ provisionalCARTE3036.7%50.0%44.0%56.1%
178Marvin Jones◦ provisionalJAXWR12048.3%49.9%45.1%54.7%
179Adam Humphries◦ provisionalWASWR6246.8%49.9%44.5%55.3%
180Calvin Ridley◦ provisionalATLWR5246.2%49.9%44.4%55.4%
181Bryan Edwards◦ provisionalLVWR6046.7%49.9%44.5%55.3%
182Tyler Johnson◦ provisionalTBWR5646.4%49.9%44.5%55.3%
183DeAndre Carter◦ provisionalWASWR4445.5%49.9%44.3%55.5%
184Antoine Wesley◦ provisionalARIWR3243.8%49.9%44.2%55.6%
185Trent Sherfield◦ provisionalSFWR2040.0%49.9%44.0%55.8%
186Dante Pettis◦ provisionalNYGWR1637.5%49.9%43.9%55.8%
187Parris Campbell◦ provisionalINDWR2040.0%49.9%44.0%55.8%
188Dee Eskridge◦ provisionalSEAWR2040.0%49.9%44.0%55.8%
189Dax Milne◦ provisionalWASWR1435.7%49.9%43.9%55.9%
190Ben Skowronek◦ provisionalLAWR2040.0%49.9%44.0%55.8%
191Mo Alie-Cox◦ provisionalINDTE4540.0%49.8%44.0%55.6%
192Jonnu Smith◦ provisionalNETE4540.0%49.8%44.0%55.6%
193DK Metcalf◦ provisionalSEAWR12948.1%49.8%45.0%54.5%
194Jarvis Landry◦ provisionalCLEWR8747.1%49.7%44.6%54.8%
195Kenny Golladay◦ provisionalNYGWR7746.8%49.7%44.5%54.9%
196Sterling Shepard◦ provisionalNYGWR5345.3%49.7%44.2%55.1%
197Devin Duvernay◦ provisionalBALWR4744.7%49.7%44.1%55.2%
198Tavon Austin◦ provisionalJAXWR3743.2%49.6%44.0%55.3%
199Terrace Marshall Jr.◦ provisionalCARWR3141.9%49.6%43.9%55.4%
200Anthony Schwartz◦ provisionalCLEWR2339.1%49.6%43.8%55.5%
201Nelson Agholor◦ provisionalNEWR6445.3%49.5%44.2%54.8%
202James Washington◦ provisionalPITWR4443.2%49.4%43.9%55.0%
203Ty Montgomery◦ provisionalNOWR2638.5%49.4%43.6%55.2%
204Preston Williams◦ provisionalMIAWR1631.3%49.4%43.4%55.3%
205Josh Gordon◦ provisionalKCWR1428.6%49.3%43.4%55.3%
206Anthony Miller◦ provisionalPITWR1225.0%49.3%43.3%55.4%
207DJ Moore◦ provisionalCARWR16447.6%49.3%44.9%53.8%
208Cameron Brate◦ provisionalTBTE5740.4%49.3%43.7%55.0%
209Freddie Swain◦ provisionalSEAWR4141.5%49.2%43.6%54.8%
210Dyami Brown◦ provisionalWASWR2536.0%49.1%43.3%55.0%
211Dede Westbrook◦ provisionalMINWR1526.7%49.1%43.1%55.1%
212Van Jefferson◦ provisionalLAWR8944.9%49.0%43.9%54.0%
213Pharaoh Brown◦ provisionalHOUTE3432.4%48.9%43.0%54.9%
214Odell Beckham Jr.◦ provisionalLAWR8344.6%48.9%43.8%54.1%
215Evan Engram◦ provisionalNYGTE7341.1%48.9%43.5%54.4%
216JuJu Smith-Schuster◦ provisionalPITWR2835.7%48.9%43.1%54.7%
217KhaDarel Hodge◦ provisionalDETWR2835.7%48.9%43.1%54.7%
218Braxton Berrios◦ provisionalNYJWR6543.1%48.9%43.5%54.2%
219Trinity Benson◦ provisionalDETWR2231.8%48.9%43.0%54.7%
220Jaelon Darden◦ provisionalTBWR1216.7%48.8%42.8%54.8%
221K.J. Osborn◦ provisionalMINWR8243.9%48.7%43.6%53.9%
222Elijah Moore◦ provisionalNYJWR7843.6%48.7%43.5%53.9%
223DJ Chark◦ provisionalJAXWR2330.4%48.6%42.8%54.5%
224Denzel Mims◦ provisionalNYJWR2330.4%48.6%42.8%54.5%
225Darnell Mooney◦ provisionalCHIWR14145.4%48.5%43.9%53.1%
226Albert Wilson◦ provisionalMIAWR3935.9%48.3%42.6%53.9%
227Marquise Brown◦ provisionalBALWR14744.9%48.2%43.6%52.8%
228Jalen Reagor◦ provisionalPHIWR5738.6%47.9%42.6%53.4%
229Chase Claypool◦ provisionalPITWR10542.9%47.9%43.0%52.9%
230Ricky Seals-Jones◦ provisionalWASTE5133.3%47.8%42.1%53.6%
231Kenny Stills◦ provisionalNOWR2321.7%47.6%41.8%53.4%
232Marquez Valdes-Scantling◦ provisionalGBWR5635.7%47.3%41.9%52.7%
233Zach Pascal◦ provisionalINDWR6937.7%47.2%42.0%52.5%
234Ray-Ray McCloud◦ provisionalPITWR6634.8%46.6%41.3%51.9%
235Darius Slayton◦ provisionalNYGWR5832.8%46.5%41.1%51.8%
236Diontae Johnson◦ provisionalPITWR17341.6%46.3%41.9%50.7%
237Robbie Chosen◦ provisionalCARWR11035.4%45.0%40.2%49.9%

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).