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 · 2023

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
334 TE · 140 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
40%45%50%55%60%TE avgWR avg1Brandon AiyukSF · 10558.7%2CeeDee LambDAL · 18256.1%3George KittleSF · 9055.4%4Khalil ShakirBUF · 4655.2%5Tyler LockettSEA · 12455.2%6Durham SmytheMIA · 4355.2%7Tucker KraftGB · 4055.1%8Keenan AllenLAC · 15055.1%9Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · 16555.0%10Cole KmetCHI · 9055.0%11Travis KelceKC · 12154.9%12Mark AndrewsBAL · 6154.9%13Jaylen WaddleMIA · 10454.8%14Kalif RaymondDET · 4454.7%15Tyreek HillMIA · 17254.7%16Hunter HenryNE · 6154.7%17Nico CollinsHOU · 11054.7%18Brevin JordanHOU · 2154.7%19Sam LaPortaDET · 12254.6%20Adam ThielenCAR · 13854.6%21Isaiah LikelyBAL · 4054.6%22Taysom HillNO · 4054.3%23Dallas GoedertPHI · 8354.2%24Tanner HudsonCIN · 5054.2%25Donald ParhamLAC · 4154.1%26Dalton KincaidBUF · 9154.1%27Austin HooperLV · 3254.1%28Luke FarrellJAX · 1553.9%29Logan ThomasWAS · 7953.8%30Jake FergusonDAL · 10253.7%31Pharaoh BrownNE · 1553.6%32Josh WhyleTEN · 1553.6%33Dontayvion WicksGB · 5853.4%34Nelson AgholorBAL · 4552.8%35Trenton IrwinCIN · 3252.7%36Brandon JohnsonDEN · 3152.4%37Quez WatkinsPHI · 2152.0%38KhaDarel HodgeATL · 2352.0%39River CracraftMIA · 1251.8%40A.T. PerryNO · 1851.7%

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 · 2023 · full board

Target success rate leaderboard for the 2023 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1Brandon Aiyuk◦ provisionalSFWR10569.5%58.7%53.4%63.8%
2CeeDee LambDALWR18260.4%56.1%51.5%60.6%
3George Kittle◦ provisionalSFTE9063.3%55.4%51.4%59.4%
4Khalil Shakir◦ provisionalBUFWR4669.6%55.2%49.2%61.2%
5Tyler Lockett◦ provisionalSEAWR12460.5%55.2%50.1%60.2%
6Durham Smythe◦ provisionalMIATE4369.8%55.2%51.0%59.4%
7Tucker Kraft◦ provisionalGBTE4070.0%55.1%50.8%59.3%
8Keenan AllenLACWR15059.3%55.1%50.2%59.9%
9Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR16558.8%55.0%50.3%59.7%
10Cole Kmet◦ provisionalCHITE9061.1%55.0%51.0%58.9%
11Travis Kelce◦ provisionalKCTE12159.5%54.9%51.1%58.8%
12Mark Andrews◦ provisionalBALTE6163.9%54.9%50.8%59.1%
13Jaylen Waddle◦ provisionalMIAWR10460.6%54.8%49.5%60.0%
14Kalif Raymond◦ provisionalDETWR4468.2%54.7%48.7%60.7%
15Tyreek HillMIAWR17258.1%54.7%50.1%59.3%
16Hunter Henry◦ provisionalNETE6162.3%54.7%50.6%58.8%
17Nico Collins◦ provisionalHOUWR11060.0%54.7%49.5%59.8%
18Brevin Jordan◦ provisionalHOUTE2176.2%54.7%50.3%59.0%
19Sam LaPorta◦ provisionalDETTE12258.2%54.6%50.8%58.4%
20Adam Thielen◦ provisionalCARWR13858.7%54.6%49.6%59.5%
21Isaiah Likely◦ provisionalBALTE4065.0%54.6%50.3%58.8%
22Taysom Hill◦ provisionalNOTE4062.5%54.3%50.0%58.5%
23Dallas Goedert◦ provisionalPHITE8357.8%54.2%50.2%58.2%
24Tanner Hudson◦ provisionalCINTE5060.0%54.2%50.0%58.3%
25Donald Parham◦ provisionalLACTE4161.0%54.1%49.9%58.4%
26Dalton Kincaid◦ provisionalBUFTE9157.1%54.1%50.1%58.1%
27Austin Hooper◦ provisionalLVTE3262.5%54.1%49.8%58.4%
28Luke Farrell◦ provisionalJAXTE1566.7%53.9%49.5%58.3%
29Logan Thomas◦ provisionalWASTE7955.7%53.8%49.7%57.8%
30Jake Ferguson◦ provisionalDALTE10254.9%53.7%49.7%57.6%
31Justin Jefferson◦ provisionalMINWR10058.0%53.6%48.3%58.9%
32Rashee Rice◦ provisionalKCWR10257.8%53.6%48.3%58.9%
33Pharaoh Brown◦ provisionalNETE1560.0%53.6%49.2%58.0%
34Josh Whyle◦ provisionalTENTE1560.0%53.6%49.2%58.0%
35DJ Moore◦ provisionalCHIWR13856.5%53.5%48.6%58.4%
36MyCole Pruitt◦ provisionalATLTE1258.3%53.5%49.1%57.9%
37Darren Waller◦ provisionalNYGTE7454.0%53.4%49.4%57.5%
38Pat Freiermuth◦ provisionalPITTE4854.2%53.4%49.2%57.6%
39Jeremy Ruckert◦ provisionalNYJTE2254.5%53.4%49.0%57.7%
40Dontayvion Wicks◦ provisionalGBWR5860.3%53.4%47.5%59.2%
41Evan Engram◦ provisionalJAXTE14453.5%53.4%49.6%57.1%
42Will Mallory◦ provisionalINDTE2653.8%53.3%49.0%57.7%
43Michael Mayer◦ provisionalLVTE4153.7%53.3%49.1%57.6%
44Noah Fant◦ provisionalSEATE4353.5%53.3%49.1%57.5%
45Kyle Pitts◦ provisionalATLTE9053.3%53.3%49.3%57.3%
46Chris Olave◦ provisionalNOWR13956.1%53.3%48.4%58.2%
47Elijah Higgins◦ provisionalARITE1952.6%53.3%48.9%57.6%
48DeVonta Smith◦ provisionalPHIWR11356.6%53.2%48.1%58.4%
49Cade Otton◦ provisionalTBTE6852.9%53.2%49.1%57.3%
50Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR14555.9%53.2%48.4%58.1%
51Foster Moreau◦ provisionalNOTE2552.0%53.2%48.9%57.5%
52C.J. Uzomah◦ provisionalNYJTE1250.0%53.2%48.8%57.6%
53Mitchell Wilcox◦ provisionalCINTE1250.0%53.2%48.8%57.6%
54Mike Gesicki◦ provisionalNETE4652.2%53.2%48.9%57.4%
55Brock Wright◦ provisionalDETTE1450.0%53.2%48.8%57.6%
56Lucas Krull◦ provisionalDENTE1450.0%53.2%48.8%57.6%
57Jakobi Meyers◦ provisionalLVWR10656.6%53.1%47.9%58.3%
58Dawson Knox◦ provisionalBUFTE3751.3%53.1%48.8%57.4%
59Will Dissly◦ provisionalSEATE2250.0%53.1%48.7%57.4%
60Noah Gray◦ provisionalKCTE4151.2%53.1%48.8%57.3%
61Josh Oliver◦ provisionalMINTE2850.0%53.0%48.7%57.4%
62Brandin Cooks◦ provisionalDALWR8257.3%53.0%47.5%58.5%
63Tommy Tremble◦ provisionalCARTE3250.0%53.0%48.7%57.3%
64Cole Turner◦ provisionalWASTE1546.7%53.0%48.6%57.4%
65Robert Tonyan◦ provisionalCHITE1747.1%53.0%48.6%57.4%
66Colby Parkinson◦ provisionalSEATE3450.0%53.0%48.7%57.3%
67Trey McBride◦ provisionalARITE10651.9%53.0%49.0%56.9%
68Johnny Mundt◦ provisionalMINTE2347.8%52.9%48.6%57.3%
69Drew Sample◦ provisionalCINTE2748.1%52.9%48.6%57.2%
70Puka NacuaLAWR16055.0%52.9%48.1%57.6%
71Luke Musgrave◦ provisionalGBTE4650.0%52.9%48.7%57.1%
72Harrison Bryant◦ provisionalCLETE2045.0%52.8%48.5%57.2%
73Nelson Agholor◦ provisionalBALWR4560.0%52.8%46.8%58.8%
74Daniel Bellinger◦ provisionalNYGTE2846.4%52.8%48.4%57.1%
75Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE7050.0%52.7%48.6%56.8%
76Jonnu Smith◦ provisionalATLTE7050.0%52.7%48.6%56.8%
77Trenton Irwin◦ provisionalCINWR3262.5%52.7%46.5%59.0%
78Luke Schoonmaker◦ provisionalDALTE1540.0%52.7%48.3%57.1%
79Juwan Johnson◦ provisionalNOTE5949.1%52.7%48.5%56.8%
80Mo Alie-Cox◦ provisionalINDTE2343.5%52.7%48.3%57.0%
81Jordan Akins◦ provisionalCLETE2343.5%52.7%48.3%57.0%
82Kylen Granson◦ provisionalINDTE5048.0%52.6%48.4%56.8%
83Adam Trautman◦ provisionalDENTE3545.7%52.6%48.3%56.9%
84T.J. Hockenson◦ provisionalMINTE12750.4%52.5%48.7%56.3%
85John Bates◦ provisionalWASTE2842.9%52.5%48.2%56.8%
86Dalton Schultz◦ provisionalHOUTE8949.4%52.5%48.5%56.5%
87Connor Heyward◦ provisionalPITTE3444.1%52.4%48.2%56.7%
88Brandon Johnson◦ provisionalDENWR3161.3%52.4%46.2%58.7%
89Andrew Ogletree◦ provisionalINDTE2138.1%52.4%48.0%56.8%
90Josh Reynolds◦ provisionalDETWR6456.3%52.3%46.5%58.0%
91Deebo Samuel Sr.◦ provisionalSFWR8955.1%52.3%46.8%57.7%
92A.J. BrownPHIWR15853.8%52.3%47.5%57.0%
93Gerald Everett◦ provisionalLACTE7047.1%52.2%48.1%56.3%
94Hayden Hurst◦ provisionalCARTE3240.6%52.2%47.9%56.5%
95Stone Smartt◦ provisionalLACTE2133.3%52.1%47.8%56.5%
96Zach Ertz◦ provisionalARITE4341.9%52.0%47.8%56.2%
97Nick Westbrook-Ikhine◦ provisionalTENWR4656.5%52.0%46.0%58.0%
98Quez Watkins◦ provisionalPHIWR2161.9%52.0%45.5%58.4%
99KhaDarel Hodge◦ provisionalATLWR2360.9%52.0%45.5%58.4%
100Stephen Sullivan◦ provisionalCARTE2433.3%52.0%47.6%56.3%
101Irv Smith◦ provisionalCINTE2634.6%51.9%47.6%56.3%
102Andrei Iosivas◦ provisionalCINWR2560.0%51.9%45.5%58.3%
103Drake London◦ provisionalATLWR11253.6%51.9%46.7%57.0%
104Isaiah Hodgins◦ provisionalNYGWR3357.6%51.8%45.6%58.1%
105Chris Moore◦ provisionalTENWR3557.1%51.8%45.6%58.0%
106Michael Thomas◦ provisionalNOWR6454.7%51.8%46.1%57.6%
107Tyler Conklin◦ provisionalNYJTE8746.0%51.8%47.8%55.8%
108River Cracraft◦ provisionalMIAWR1266.7%51.8%45.1%58.4%
109Stefon DiggsBUFWR16152.8%51.7%47.0%56.5%
110Tee Higgins◦ provisionalCINWR7653.9%51.7%46.1%57.3%
111A.T. Perry◦ provisionalNOWR1861.1%51.7%45.2%58.2%
112Tank Dell◦ provisionalHOUWR7653.9%51.7%46.1%57.3%
113Zay Flowers◦ provisionalBALWR10953.2%51.7%46.5%56.9%
114Mike Williams◦ provisionalLACWR2657.7%51.6%45.2%58.0%
115Michael Wilson◦ provisionalARIWR5954.2%51.6%45.8%57.4%
116Chig Okonkwo◦ provisionalTENTE7744.2%51.6%47.5%55.6%
117Michael PittmanINDWR15852.5%51.6%46.8%56.3%
118Jalen Tolbert◦ provisionalDALWR3655.6%51.5%45.3%57.7%
119Mike Evans◦ provisionalTBWR13752.5%51.5%46.6%56.4%
120Lil'Jordan Humphrey◦ provisionalDENWR1957.9%51.4%44.9%57.9%
121Noah Brown◦ provisionalHOUWR5653.6%51.4%45.5%57.2%
122Deonte Harty◦ provisionalBUFWR2157.1%51.4%44.9%57.8%
123Wan'Dale Robinson◦ provisionalNYGWR7852.6%51.2%45.7%56.8%
124Demarcus Robinson◦ provisionalLAWR3953.8%51.2%45.1%57.4%
125Romeo Doubs◦ provisionalGBWR9652.1%51.1%45.8%56.5%
126Josh Downs◦ provisionalINDWR9852.0%51.1%45.8%56.5%
127Jamison Crowder◦ provisionalWASWR2055.0%51.1%44.6%57.5%
128Kyle Philips◦ provisionalTENWR2254.5%51.0%44.6%57.5%
129Darius Slayton◦ provisionalNYGWR7951.9%51.0%45.5%56.5%
130Christian Kirk◦ provisionalJAXWR8551.8%51.0%45.5%56.4%
131Cooper Kupp◦ provisionalLAWR9751.5%50.9%45.6%56.3%
132DK Metcalf◦ provisionalSEAWR11951.3%50.8%45.7%56.0%
133Ray-Ray McCloud◦ provisionalSFWR1553.3%50.8%44.2%57.4%
134Gabe Davis◦ provisionalBUFWR8251.2%50.8%45.3%56.3%
135Braxton Berrios◦ provisionalMIAWR3351.5%50.7%44.4%56.9%
136Jauan Jennings◦ provisionalSFWR3351.5%50.7%44.4%56.9%
137George Pickens◦ provisionalPITWR10650.9%50.7%45.5%55.9%
138Amari Cooper◦ provisionalCLEWR13050.8%50.6%45.6%55.6%
139Michael Gallup◦ provisionalDALWR5750.9%50.6%44.8%56.5%
140Diontae Johnson◦ provisionalPITWR8750.6%50.5%45.1%56.0%
141Isaiah McKenzie◦ provisionalINDWR1450.0%50.4%43.8%57.1%
142Richie James◦ provisionalKCWR1450.0%50.4%43.8%57.1%
143Olamide Zaccheaus◦ provisionalPHIWR2050.0%50.4%43.9%56.9%
144Mack Hollins◦ provisionalATLWR3050.0%50.4%44.1%56.7%
145Rashod Bateman◦ provisionalBALWR5650.0%50.3%44.5%56.2%
146Jamal Agnew◦ provisionalJAXWR2147.6%50.1%43.6%56.6%
147Dyami Brown◦ provisionalWASWR2347.8%50.1%43.7%56.5%
148Parker Washington◦ provisionalJAXWR2147.6%50.1%43.6%56.6%
149Ronnie Bell◦ provisionalSFWR1346.2%50.1%43.5%56.8%
150Jake Bobo◦ provisionalSEAWR2548.0%50.1%43.7%56.5%
151Courtland Sutton◦ provisionalDENWR9149.5%50.1%44.7%55.5%
152Jayden Reed◦ provisionalGBWR9549.5%50.1%44.7%55.4%
153Chris Godwin Jr.◦ provisionalTBWR13149.6%50.1%45.1%55.1%
154Calvin Ridley◦ provisionalJAXWR13749.6%50.1%45.1%55.0%
155David Njoku◦ provisionalCLETE12340.6%49.9%46.1%53.7%
156Tyler Boyd◦ provisionalCINWR9849.0%49.9%44.5%55.2%
157Odell Beckham Jr.◦ provisionalBALWR6448.4%49.9%44.1%55.6%
158Brandon Powell◦ provisionalMINWR4447.7%49.8%43.8%55.9%
159Jalin Hyatt◦ provisionalNYGWR4047.5%49.8%43.7%56.0%
160Cedrick Wilson Jr.◦ provisionalMIAWR3847.4%49.8%43.7%56.0%
161John Metchie III◦ provisionalHOUWR3046.7%49.8%43.5%56.1%
162Byron Pringle◦ provisionalWASWR2245.5%49.8%43.4%56.3%
163Trent Sherfield◦ provisionalBUFWR2245.5%49.8%43.4%56.3%
164Mecole Hardman◦ provisionalKCWR2445.8%49.8%43.4%56.2%
165Malik Heath◦ provisionalGBWR2445.8%49.8%43.4%56.2%
166Scott Miller◦ provisionalATLWR1643.8%49.8%43.2%56.4%
167KaVontae Turpin◦ provisionalDALWR1844.4%49.8%43.3%56.3%
168Ben Skowronek◦ provisionalLAWR1241.7%49.8%43.1%56.5%
169Jaxon Smith-Njigba◦ provisionalSEAWR9348.4%49.6%44.3%55.0%
170Jerry Jeudy◦ provisionalDENWR8748.3%49.6%44.2%55.1%
171Jahan Dotson◦ provisionalWASWR8348.2%49.6%44.1%55.1%
172DeVante Parker◦ provisionalNEWR5547.3%49.6%43.7%55.5%
173Kendrick Bourne◦ provisionalNEWR5547.3%49.6%43.7%55.5%
174Justin Watson◦ provisionalKCWR5347.2%49.6%43.7%55.5%
175Christian Watson◦ provisionalGBWR5347.2%49.6%43.7%55.5%
176Hunter Renfrow◦ provisionalLVWR3746.0%49.5%43.4%55.7%
177Terrace Marshall Jr.◦ provisionalCARWR3345.5%49.5%43.3%55.8%
178Alex Erickson◦ provisionalLACWR2944.8%49.5%43.2%55.8%
179David Bell◦ provisionalCLEWR2343.5%49.5%43.1%55.9%
180Jameson Williams◦ provisionalDETWR4245.2%49.3%43.2%55.4%
181Tre Tucker◦ provisionalLVWR3444.1%49.2%43.0%55.5%
182Curtis Samuel◦ provisionalWASWR9147.3%49.2%43.8%54.6%
183Ty Montgomery◦ provisionalNEWR1233.3%49.1%42.5%55.8%
184Quentin Johnston◦ provisionalLACWR6746.3%49.1%43.4%54.8%
185Alec Pierce◦ provisionalINDWR6546.2%49.1%43.4%54.9%
186JuJu Smith-Schuster◦ provisionalNEWR4744.7%49.0%43.0%55.0%
187Greg Dortch◦ provisionalARIWR4143.9%49.0%42.9%55.1%
188Marvin Mims Jr.◦ provisionalDENWR3342.4%48.9%42.7%55.2%
189Donovan Peoples-Jones◦ provisionalDETWR2540.0%48.9%42.5%55.3%
190Tutu Atwell◦ provisionalLAWR6845.6%48.9%43.2%54.6%
191Zay Jones◦ provisionalJAXWR6445.3%48.9%43.1%54.6%
192Jalen Guyton◦ provisionalLACWR2138.1%48.9%42.4%55.4%
193Tim Jones◦ provisionalJAXWR1936.8%48.9%42.4%55.4%
194Cedric Tillman◦ provisionalCLEWR4443.2%48.7%42.7%54.8%
195Skyy Moore◦ provisionalKCWR3842.1%48.7%42.5%54.9%
196Jordan Addison◦ provisionalMINWR10846.3%48.7%43.5%53.9%
197Tyler Scott◦ provisionalCHIWR3240.6%48.6%42.4%54.9%
198Josh Palmer◦ provisionalLACWR6144.3%48.6%42.8%54.4%
199Allen Robinson◦ provisionalPITWR4942.9%48.5%42.5%54.5%
200Allen Lazard◦ provisionalNYJWR4942.9%48.5%42.5%54.5%
201Davante AdamsLVWR17546.9%48.5%43.9%53.1%
202Van Jefferson◦ provisionalATLWR4341.9%48.5%42.4%54.5%
203Deven Thompkins◦ provisionalTBWR2536.0%48.3%41.9%54.7%
204Julio Jones◦ provisionalPHIWR1931.6%48.2%41.7%54.8%
205Samori Toure◦ provisionalGBWR1931.6%48.2%41.7%54.8%
206Robert Woods◦ provisionalHOUWR7544.0%48.2%42.6%53.8%
207K.J. Osborn◦ provisionalMINWR7544.0%48.2%42.6%53.8%
208Derius Davis◦ provisionalLACWR1729.4%48.2%41.7%54.8%
209Kadarius Toney◦ provisionalKCWR3839.5%48.1%42.0%54.3%
210Darnell Mooney◦ provisionalCHIWR6142.6%48.1%42.3%53.9%
211Treylon Burks◦ provisionalTENWR3036.7%48.0%41.8%54.4%
212Calvin Austin III◦ provisionalPITWR3036.7%48.0%41.8%54.4%
213DeAndre Hopkins◦ provisionalTENWR13745.3%47.9%43.0%52.8%
214Lynn Bowden◦ provisionalNOWR1625.0%47.9%41.3%54.5%
215Parris Campbell◦ provisionalNYGWR2733.3%47.7%41.4%54.1%
216Marquez Valdes-Scantling◦ provisionalKCWR4238.1%47.6%41.6%53.7%
217Xavier Hutchinson◦ provisionalHOUWR1926.3%47.6%41.1%54.1%
218Zach Pascal◦ provisionalARIWR1520.0%47.5%41.0%54.1%
219Keelan Doss◦ provisionalLACWR1315.4%47.5%40.9%54.1%
220DeMario Douglas◦ provisionalNEWR7941.8%47.3%41.8%52.9%
221Rashid Shaheed◦ provisionalNOWR7541.3%47.3%41.7%52.9%
222Randall Cobb◦ provisionalNYJWR1822.2%47.3%40.8%53.8%
223Jalen Reagor◦ provisionalNEWR2326.1%47.0%40.6%53.5%
224Chase Claypool◦ provisionalMIAWR2123.8%47.0%40.6%53.5%
225Xavier Gipson◦ provisionalNYJWR3834.2%47.0%40.9%53.2%
226Terry McLaurin◦ provisionalWASWR13243.2%46.9%42.0%51.9%
227Marquise Goodwin◦ provisionalCLEWR137.7%46.9%40.3%53.5%
228Sterling Shepard◦ provisionalNYGWR2222.7%46.7%40.3%53.2%
229Rondale Moore◦ provisionalARIWR6338.1%46.6%40.9%52.4%
230Elijah Moore◦ provisionalCLEWR10441.3%46.6%41.4%51.8%
231DJ Chark◦ provisionalCARWR6637.9%46.4%40.8%52.2%
232Tyquan Thornton◦ provisionalNEWR2321.7%46.4%40.0%52.9%
233Garrett WilsonNYJWR16842.9%46.3%41.7%51.0%
234Trey Palmer◦ provisionalTBWR6937.7%46.3%40.6%51.9%
235Marquise Brown◦ provisionalARIWR10438.5%45.4%40.1%50.6%
236Jonathan Mingo◦ provisionalCARWR8532.9%43.9%38.5%49.3%

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).