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 · 2018

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
4737 TE · 96 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
40%50%60%TE avgWR avg1Tyler LockettSEA · 7160.4%2Michael ThomasNO · 14860.2%3DeAndre HopkinsHOU · 16358.6%4Adam ThielenMIN · 15457.5%5Keenan AllenLAC · 13757.0%6Mohamed SanuATL · 9656.7%7Dontrelle InmanIND · 3956.2%8Mike EvansTB · 13956.1%9T.Y. HiltonIND · 12055.9%10Tyler BoydCIN · 10855.8%11Alshon JefferyPHI · 9255.8%12Robert WoodsLA · 13055.7%13Julio JonesATL · 17055.2%14Amari CooperDAL · 10755.1%15Tre'Quan SmithNO · 4454.9%16Sammy WatkinsKC · 5554.9%17Cooper KuppLA · 5554.9%18Jaron BrownSEA · 1954.6%19Chris Godwin Jr.TB · 9754.3%20Rob GronkowskiNE · 7254.0%21Cole BeasleyDAL · 8754.0%22Travis KelceKC · 15154.0%23Levine ToiloloDET · 2454.0%24O.J. HowardTB · 4854.0%25Mark AndrewsBAL · 5054.0%26Kyle RudolphMIN · 8454.0%27Jesse JamesPIT · 4054.0%28Zach ErtzPHI · 15654.0%29Anthony FirkserTEN · 2054.0%30Greg OlsenCAR · 3854.0%31Darren FellsCLE · 1254.0%32Benjamin WatsonNO · 4654.0%33Vernon DavisWAS · 3754.0%34Lance KendricksGB · 2553.9%35Tyler EifertCIN · 1953.9%36Maxx WilliamsBAL · 1753.9%37Tyler HigbeeLA · 3453.9%38Blake JarwinDAL · 3653.9%39Ed DicksonSEA · 1353.9%40Keith KirkwoodNO · 2152.8%41Austin CarrNO · 1452.6%42Brandon LaFellLV · 1652.5%

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 · 2018 · full board

Target success rate leaderboard for the 2018 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1Tyler Lockett◦ provisionalSEAWR7173.2%60.4%54.1%66.5%
2Michael ThomasNOWR14866.2%60.2%55.0%65.3%
3DeAndre HopkinsHOUWR16363.2%58.6%53.6%63.6%
4Adam ThielenMINWR15461.7%57.5%52.4%62.6%
5Keenan AllenLACWR13761.3%57.0%51.6%62.3%
6Mohamed Sanu◦ provisionalATLWR9662.5%56.7%50.8%62.5%
7Dontrelle Inman◦ provisionalINDWR3969.2%56.2%49.1%63.1%
8Mike EvansTBWR13959.7%56.1%50.8%61.4%
9T.Y. HiltonINDWR12060.0%55.9%50.4%61.5%
10Tyler BoydCINWR10860.2%55.8%50.1%61.5%
11Alshon Jeffery◦ provisionalPHIWR9260.9%55.8%49.8%61.7%
12Robert WoodsLAWR13059.2%55.7%50.2%61.1%
13Julio JonesATLWR17057.6%55.2%50.2%60.2%
14Amari CooperDALWR10758.9%55.1%49.3%60.8%
15Tre'Quan Smith◦ provisionalNOWR4463.6%54.9%47.9%61.7%
16Sammy Watkins◦ provisionalKCWR5561.8%54.9%48.2%61.5%
17Cooper Kupp◦ provisionalLAWR5561.8%54.9%48.2%61.5%
18Jaron Brown◦ provisionalSEAWR1973.7%54.6%47.0%62.2%
19Chris Godwin Jr.TBWR9757.7%54.3%48.4%60.2%
20Rob Gronkowski◦ provisionalNETE7263.9%54.0%52.9%55.2%
21Cole Beasley◦ provisionalDALWR8757.5%54.0%47.9%60.0%
22Travis Kelce◦ provisionalKCTE15157.6%54.0%52.8%55.2%
23Levine Toilolo◦ provisionalDETTE2475.0%54.0%52.8%55.2%
24O.J. Howard◦ provisionalTBTE4864.6%54.0%52.8%55.2%
25Mark Andrews◦ provisionalBALTE5064.0%54.0%52.8%55.2%
26Kyle Rudolph◦ provisionalMINTE8459.5%54.0%52.8%55.2%
27Jesse James◦ provisionalPITTE4065.0%54.0%52.8%55.2%
28Zach Ertz◦ provisionalPHITE15656.4%54.0%52.8%55.1%
29Anthony Firkser◦ provisionalTENTE2075.0%54.0%52.8%55.2%
30Greg Olsen◦ provisionalCARTE3863.2%54.0%52.8%55.1%
31Darren Fells◦ provisionalCLETE1283.3%54.0%52.8%55.2%
32Benjamin Watson◦ provisionalNOTE4660.9%54.0%52.8%55.1%
33Vernon Davis◦ provisionalWASTE3762.2%54.0%52.8%55.1%
34Jared Cook◦ provisionalLVTE10156.4%53.9%52.8%55.1%
35Lance Kendricks◦ provisionalGBTE2564.0%53.9%52.8%55.1%
36Tyler Eifert◦ provisionalCINTE1968.4%53.9%52.8%55.1%
37Maxx Williams◦ provisionalBALTE1770.6%53.9%52.8%55.1%
38C.J. Uzomah◦ provisionalCINTE6457.8%53.9%52.8%55.1%
39Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE3461.8%53.9%52.8%55.1%
40George Kittle◦ provisionalSFTE13855.8%53.9%52.8%55.1%
41Blake Jarwin◦ provisionalDALTE3661.1%53.9%52.8%55.1%
42Rhett Ellison◦ provisionalNYGTE3560.0%53.9%52.8%55.1%
43Austin Hooper◦ provisionalATLTE9055.6%53.9%52.8%55.1%
44JuJu Smith-SchusterPITWR16755.7%53.9%48.9%59.0%
45Jonnu Smith◦ provisionalTENTE3060.0%53.9%52.8%55.1%
46Gerald Everett◦ provisionalLATE5156.9%53.9%52.7%55.1%
47Ed Dickson◦ provisionalSEATE1361.5%53.9%52.7%55.1%
48Jack Doyle◦ provisionalINDTE3357.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
49Vance McDonald◦ provisionalPITTE7255.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
50Matt LaCosse◦ provisionalDENTE3756.8%53.9%52.7%55.1%
51Dallas Goedert◦ provisionalPHITE4456.8%53.9%52.7%55.1%
52Derek Carrier◦ provisionalLVTE1258.3%53.9%52.7%55.1%
53Trey Burton◦ provisionalCHITE7754.5%53.9%52.7%55.1%
54Brandin CooksLAWR11756.4%53.9%48.3%59.5%
55Jordan Matthews◦ provisionalPHITE2857.1%53.9%52.7%55.1%
56Dalton Schultz◦ provisionalDALTE1758.8%53.9%52.7%55.1%
57Virgil Green◦ provisionalLACTE2755.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
58Jermaine Gresham◦ provisionalARITE1250.0%53.9%52.7%55.1%
59Luke Stocker◦ provisionalTENTE2152.4%53.9%52.7%55.1%
60Luke Willson◦ provisionalDETTE1952.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
61Ryan Griffin◦ provisionalHOUTE4353.5%53.9%52.7%55.1%
62Dan Arnold◦ provisionalNOTE1952.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
63Ian Thomas◦ provisionalCARTE4953.1%53.9%52.7%55.1%
64Chris Herndon◦ provisionalNYJTE5653.6%53.9%52.7%55.1%
65Josh Hill◦ provisionalNOTE2450.0%53.9%52.7%55.1%
66Scott Simonson◦ provisionalNYGTE1450.0%53.9%52.7%55.1%
67Nick Boyle◦ provisionalBALTE3751.3%53.9%52.7%55.1%
68Niles Paul◦ provisionalJAXTE1346.2%53.9%52.7%55.1%
69Nick Vannett◦ provisionalSEATE4351.2%53.9%52.7%55.1%
70Mo Alie-Cox◦ provisionalINDTE1346.2%53.9%52.7%55.1%
71Jake Butt◦ provisionalDENTE1346.2%53.9%52.7%55.1%
72Eric Tomlinson◦ provisionalNYJTE1442.9%53.9%52.7%55.0%
73Jordan Leggett◦ provisionalNYJTE2548.0%53.9%52.7%55.0%
74Will Dissly◦ provisionalSEATE1442.9%53.9%52.7%55.0%
75Jordan Akins◦ provisionalHOUTE2548.0%53.9%52.7%55.0%
76Logan Thomas◦ provisionalBUFTE1741.2%53.8%52.7%55.0%
77Geoff Swaim◦ provisionalDALTE3246.9%53.8%52.7%55.0%
78Antonio Gates◦ provisionalLACTE4847.9%53.8%52.6%55.0%
79Julian EdelmanNEWR10856.5%53.8%48.1%59.6%
80Demetrius Harris◦ provisionalKCTE2544.0%53.8%52.6%55.0%
81James O'Shaughnessy◦ provisionalJAXTE3847.4%53.8%52.7%55.0%
82Hayden Hurst◦ provisionalBALTE2343.5%53.8%52.7%55.0%
83Austin Seferian-Jenkins◦ provisionalJAXTE1936.8%53.8%52.6%55.0%
84Mike Gesicki◦ provisionalMIATE3243.8%53.8%52.6%55.0%
85Cameron Brate◦ provisionalTBTE4946.9%53.8%52.6%55.0%
86Eric Ebron◦ provisionalINDTE11050.0%53.8%52.6%55.0%
87Jeff Heuerman◦ provisionalDENTE4845.8%53.8%52.6%55.0%
88Jason Croom◦ provisionalBUFTE3542.9%53.8%52.6%55.0%
89Charles Clay◦ provisionalBUFTE3641.7%53.8%52.6%55.0%
90Jordan Reed◦ provisionalWASTE8447.6%53.8%52.6%55.0%
91Michael Roberts◦ provisionalDETTE2030.0%53.8%52.6%55.0%
92Evan Engram◦ provisionalNYGTE6546.2%53.8%52.6%55.0%
93Will Fuller◦ provisionalHOUWR4560.0%53.8%46.9%60.6%
94David Njoku◦ provisionalCLETE8846.6%53.8%52.6%54.9%
95Jimmy Graham◦ provisionalGBTE8946.1%53.8%52.6%54.9%
96Ricky Seals-Jones◦ provisionalARITE6936.2%53.6%52.5%54.8%
97Rashard Higgins◦ provisionalCLEWR5358.5%53.6%46.9%60.3%
98Tyreek HillKCWR13755.5%53.6%48.2%58.9%
99Mike Williams◦ provisionalLACWR6857.4%53.6%47.1%59.9%
100Phillip Dorsett◦ provisionalNEWR4259.5%53.5%46.5%60.4%
101Jarius Wright◦ provisionalCARWR6157.4%53.4%46.9%59.9%
102Taylor Gabriel◦ provisionalCHIWR9355.9%53.3%47.4%59.3%
103Tyrell Williams◦ provisionalLACWR6556.9%53.3%46.8%59.7%
104Trent Sherfield◦ provisionalARIWR2860.7%53.1%45.7%60.4%
105Geronimo Allison◦ provisionalGBWR3060.0%53.0%45.7%60.3%
106Adam HumphriesTBWR10654.7%52.9%47.1%58.6%
107Jordy Nelson◦ provisionalLVWR8955.1%52.9%46.9%58.9%
108Chris Hogan◦ provisionalNEWR5556.4%52.9%46.2%59.5%
109Keith Kirkwood◦ provisionalNOWR2161.9%52.8%45.3%60.4%
110A.J. Green◦ provisionalCINWR7855.1%52.8%46.6%59.0%
111Chris Moore◦ provisionalBALWR2560.0%52.8%45.3%60.2%
112Austin Carr◦ provisionalNOWR1464.3%52.6%44.8%60.4%
113Davante AdamsGBWR17053.5%52.6%47.5%57.6%
114Brandon LaFell◦ provisionalLVWR1662.5%52.5%44.8%60.2%
115Taywan Taylor◦ provisionalTENWR5754.4%52.2%45.5%58.8%
116Josh Gordon◦ provisionalNEWR7153.5%52.0%45.6%58.3%
117Doug Baldwin◦ provisionalSEAWR7353.4%52.0%45.7%58.3%
118Breshad Perriman◦ provisionalCLEWR2556.0%51.9%44.5%59.4%
119Danny Amendola◦ provisionalMIAWR7953.2%51.9%45.7%58.1%
120Martavis Bryant◦ provisionalLVWR2755.6%51.9%44.5%59.3%
121Allen Hurns◦ provisionalDALWR3554.3%51.8%44.6%58.9%
122Chester Rogers◦ provisionalINDWR7452.7%51.7%45.4%57.9%
123Cody Latimer◦ provisionalNYGWR1656.3%51.6%43.9%59.4%
124Demaryius Thomas◦ provisionalHOUWR9052.2%51.5%45.5%57.5%
125Calvin Ridley◦ provisionalATLWR9252.2%51.5%45.5%57.5%
126Emmanuel SandersDENWR9852.0%51.5%45.6%57.3%
127Kenny Stills◦ provisionalMIAWR6552.3%51.4%45.0%57.9%
128Kendrick Bourne◦ provisionalSFWR6752.2%51.4%45.0%57.8%
129Marquise Goodwin◦ provisionalSFWR4452.3%51.3%44.4%58.2%
130Eli Rogers◦ provisionalPITWR1553.3%51.2%43.4%59.0%
131Darius Jennings◦ provisionalTENWR1553.3%51.2%43.4%59.0%
132Deontay Burnett◦ provisionalNYJWR1553.3%51.2%43.4%59.0%
133Seth Roberts◦ provisionalLVWR6451.6%51.1%44.7%57.6%
134DeAndre Carter◦ provisionalHOUWR2552.0%51.1%43.6%58.5%
135Bennie Fowler◦ provisionalNYGWR2751.8%51.1%43.7%58.5%
136T.J. Jones◦ provisionalDETWR2751.8%51.1%43.7%58.5%
137Laquon Treadwell◦ provisionalMINWR5350.9%50.9%44.2%57.6%
138Kenny GolladayDETWR12250.8%50.8%45.3%56.4%
139Devin Funchess◦ provisionalCARWR7950.6%50.8%44.6%57.0%
140Andre Holmes◦ provisionalDENWR2450.0%50.7%43.2%58.2%
141Josh Bellamy◦ provisionalCHIWR2650.0%50.7%43.3%58.1%
142Isaiah McKenzie◦ provisionalBUFWR3050.0%50.7%43.4%58.0%
143Ryan Switzer◦ provisionalPITWR4450.0%50.6%43.7%57.5%
144Robert Foster◦ provisionalBUFWR4450.0%50.6%43.7%57.5%
145Zach Pascal◦ provisionalINDWR4650.0%50.6%43.7%57.5%
146Ryan Grant◦ provisionalINDWR5250.0%50.6%43.8%57.3%
147Anthony Miller◦ provisionalCHIWR5450.0%50.6%43.9%57.3%
148Marvin Jones◦ provisionalDETWR6250.0%50.5%44.0%57.0%
149DeSean Jackson◦ provisionalTBWR7450.0%50.5%44.2%56.8%
150Josh Doctson◦ provisionalWASWR7850.0%50.5%44.3%56.7%
151Tavon Austin◦ provisionalDALWR1346.2%50.3%42.5%58.1%
152Brandon Powell◦ provisionalDETWR1747.1%50.3%42.6%58.0%
153Russell Shepard◦ provisionalNYGWR1947.4%50.3%42.6%57.9%
154Damion Ratley◦ provisionalCLEWR2147.6%50.3%42.7%57.9%
155Alex Erickson◦ provisionalCINWR2948.3%50.3%42.9%57.6%
156Tajae Sharpe◦ provisionalTENWR4748.9%50.2%43.4%57.1%
157Dante Pettis◦ provisionalSFWR4548.9%50.2%43.3%57.1%
158Jamison Crowder◦ provisionalWASWR4949.0%50.2%43.4%57.0%
159Josh Reynolds◦ provisionalLAWR5349.1%50.2%43.5%56.9%
160Curtis Samuel◦ provisionalCARWR6549.2%50.2%43.8%56.7%
161Willie Snead◦ provisionalBALWR9549.5%50.2%44.2%56.1%
162Donte Moncrief◦ provisionalJAXWR8949.4%50.2%44.1%56.2%
163Allen Robinson◦ provisionalCHIWR9549.5%50.2%44.2%56.1%
164Sterling ShepardNYGWR10849.1%49.9%44.2%55.7%
165Corey DavisTENWR11249.1%49.9%44.2%55.6%
166DJ Moore◦ provisionalCARWR8248.8%49.9%43.8%56.1%
167Chris Conley◦ provisionalKCWR5248.1%49.9%43.1%56.6%
168Equanimeous St. Brown◦ provisionalGBWR3647.2%49.9%42.8%57.0%
169Torrey Smith◦ provisionalCARWR3246.9%49.9%42.6%57.1%
170Deonte Thompson◦ provisionalBUFWR3046.7%49.9%42.6%57.2%
171Justin Hardy◦ provisionalATLWR2245.5%49.9%42.3%57.4%
172Richie James◦ provisionalSFWR1442.9%49.9%42.0%57.7%
173Trent Taylor◦ provisionalSFWR4146.3%49.5%42.5%56.5%
174Keke Coutee◦ provisionalHOUWR4146.3%49.5%42.5%56.5%
175Aldrick Robinson◦ provisionalMINWR3545.7%49.5%42.3%56.7%
176Paul Richardson◦ provisionalWASWR3545.7%49.5%42.3%56.7%
177Demarcus Robinson◦ provisionalKCWR3345.5%49.5%42.3%56.7%
178Ted Ginn◦ provisionalNOWR3145.2%49.5%42.2%56.8%
179Terrelle Pryor◦ provisionalBUFWR3145.2%49.5%42.2%56.8%
180Cody Core◦ provisionalCINWR2944.8%49.5%42.1%56.8%
181Michael Floyd◦ provisionalWASWR2544.0%49.5%42.0%56.9%
182Michael CrabtreeBALWR10048.0%49.4%43.5%55.3%
183Keelan Cole◦ provisionalJAXWR7047.1%49.3%42.9%55.7%
184Odell Beckham Jr.NYGWR12548.0%49.3%43.7%54.8%
185Andy Jones◦ provisionalDETWR2441.7%49.0%41.6%56.5%
186Marvin Hall◦ provisionalATLWR2040.0%49.0%41.4%56.6%
187Robbie Chosen◦ provisionalNYJWR9446.8%48.9%42.9%54.8%
188Pierre Garcon◦ provisionalSFWR4744.7%48.8%42.0%55.7%
189Larry FitzgeraldARIWR11346.9%48.7%43.1%54.4%
190Albert Wilson◦ provisionalMIAWR3542.9%48.7%41.6%55.9%
191Dede WestbrookJAXWR10346.6%48.7%42.9%54.5%
192James Washington◦ provisionalPITWR3842.1%48.4%41.3%55.5%
193Christian Kirk◦ provisionalARIWR6944.9%48.4%42.0%54.8%
194Jakeem Grant◦ provisionalMIAWR3441.2%48.3%41.2%55.5%
195Randall Cobb◦ provisionalGBWR6144.3%48.3%41.8%54.9%
196Travis Benjamin◦ provisionalLACWR2437.5%48.2%40.7%55.7%
197Andre Roberts◦ provisionalNYJWR1833.3%48.1%40.5%55.8%
198Tim Patrick◦ provisionalDENWR4141.5%48.1%41.1%55.1%
199Golden TatePHIWR11445.6%48.0%42.4%53.7%
200Marcell Ateman◦ provisionalLVWR3138.7%47.9%40.7%55.2%
201DaeSean Hamilton◦ provisionalDENWR4641.3%47.8%40.9%54.7%
202Michael Gallup◦ provisionalDALWR6943.5%47.8%41.4%54.2%
203Brandon Marshall◦ provisionalSEAWR2334.8%47.8%40.3%55.3%
204Bruce Ellington◦ provisionalDETWR4240.5%47.7%40.8%54.7%
205Ty Montgomery◦ provisionalBALWR4040.0%47.7%40.7%54.7%
206Antonio BrownPITWR16845.8%47.7%42.6%52.7%
207Nelson AgholorPHIWR9744.3%47.6%41.7%53.5%
208Marquez Valdes-Scantling◦ provisionalGBWR7443.2%47.5%41.3%53.8%
209David Moore◦ provisionalSEAWR5341.5%47.5%40.9%54.3%
210Stefon DiggsMINWR15045.3%47.5%42.3%52.7%
211Maurice Harris◦ provisionalWASWR4740.4%47.4%40.6%54.3%
212Courtland Sutton◦ provisionalDENWR8543.5%47.4%41.3%53.5%
213Auden Tate◦ provisionalCINWR1216.7%47.1%39.2%55.0%
214J.J. Nelson◦ provisionalARIWR1926.3%46.8%39.2%54.5%
215Zay JonesBUFWR10342.7%46.7%40.9%52.5%
216Justin Hunter◦ provisionalPITWR1315.4%46.6%38.9%54.5%
217Quincy Enunwa◦ provisionalNYJWR6940.6%46.6%40.2%53.0%
218Antonio Callaway◦ provisionalCLEWR8241.5%46.5%40.4%52.7%
219DeVante Parker◦ provisionalMIAWR4736.2%46.0%39.2%52.9%
220DJ Chark◦ provisionalJAXWR3231.3%46.0%38.8%53.2%
221John BrownBALWR9839.8%45.3%39.4%51.2%
222Jermaine Kearse◦ provisionalNYJWR7638.2%45.3%39.1%51.5%
223Jarvis LandryCLEWR15041.3%45.1%39.9%50.3%
224Kelvin Benjamin◦ provisionalKCWR6735.8%44.7%38.3%51.1%
225Chad Williams◦ provisionalARIWR4628.3%43.5%36.8%50.4%
226John Ross◦ provisionalCINWR5824.1%40.8%34.4%47.4%

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).