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 · 2024

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
52 TE · 94 WR
targets to trust the number
shrunkrawthe shrink90% CI
40%50%60%70%TE avgWR avg1George KittleSF · 9467.4%2Mark AndrewsBAL · 6963.9%3Noah GrayKC · 4961.8%4Jonnu SmithMIA · 11161.6%5Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · 14161.1%6Trey McBrideARI · 14760.5%7Mike GesickiCIN · 8360.3%8Cole KmetCHI · 5959.8%9Isaiah LikelyBAL · 5859.4%10Grant CalcaterraPHI · 3059.0%11Zach ErtzWAS · 9358.9%12Nate AdkinsDEN · 1558.8%13Elijah HigginsARI · 2458.4%14Foster MoreauNO · 4358.3%15Payne DurhamTB · 1458.1%16Tucker KraftGB · 7158.0%17Chris Godwin Jr.TB · 6258.0%18Josh OliverMIN · 2858.0%19Brock WrightDET · 1657.9%20Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · 17557.8%21Nick VannettTEN · 2057.5%22Austin HooperNE · 5957.1%23Tee HigginsCIN · 11057.1%24Jordan WhittingtonLA · 2856.9%25Stone SmarttLAC · 1956.9%26Eric SaubertSF · 1456.6%27Brenton StrangeJAX · 5356.6%28Pat FreiermuthPIT · 7856.5%29Darnell WashingtonPIT · 2556.4%30Brock BowersLV · 15356.3%31A.J. BrownPHI · 9756.3%32Adam ThielenCAR · 6255.4%33Rashee RiceKC · 2954.0%34Jalen NailorMIN · 4254.0%35Justin WatsonKC · 3253.5%36Tylan WallaceBAL · 1253.3%37Kalif RaymondDET · 2253.0%38Malik HeathGB · 1352.8%

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 · 2024 · full board

Target success rate leaderboard for the 2024 NFL season, shrunk by empirical Bayes with 90% credible intervals, ranked by the shrunk estimate.
#PlayerTeamPostargetsRawShrunk90% interval
1George KittleSFTE9474.5%67.4%60.9%73.6%
2Mark AndrewsBALTE6971.0%63.9%56.7%70.9%
3Noah Gray◦ provisionalKCTE4969.4%61.8%53.7%69.5%
4Jonnu SmithMIATE11164.9%61.6%55.3%67.7%
5Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR14168.1%61.1%55.8%66.2%
6Trey McBrideARITE14762.6%60.5%54.8%66.1%
7Mike GesickiCINTE8363.9%60.3%53.3%67.1%
8Cole KmetCHITE5964.4%59.8%52.1%67.3%
9Isaiah LikelyBALTE5863.8%59.4%51.7%67.0%
10Grant Calcaterra◦ provisionalPHITE3066.7%59.0%50.0%67.7%
11Zach ErtzWASTE9361.3%58.9%52.1%65.5%
12Nate Adkins◦ provisionalDENTE1573.3%58.8%48.8%68.4%
13Elijah Higgins◦ provisionalARITE2466.7%58.4%49.0%67.5%
14Foster Moreau◦ provisionalNOTE4362.8%58.3%49.9%66.5%
15Payne Durham◦ provisionalTBTE1471.4%58.1%48.1%67.9%
16Tucker KraftGBTE7160.6%58.0%50.7%65.2%
17Chris Godwin Jr.◦ provisionalTBWR6269.3%58.0%51.4%64.4%
18Josh Oliver◦ provisionalMINTE2864.3%58.0%48.9%66.9%
19Brock Wright◦ provisionalDETTE1668.8%57.9%48.0%67.5%
20Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR17561.7%57.8%52.8%62.7%
21Nick Vannett◦ provisionalTENTE2065.0%57.5%47.9%66.8%
22Austin HooperNETE5959.3%57.1%49.4%64.7%
23Tee HigginsCINWR11062.7%57.1%51.4%62.7%
24Jordan Whittington◦ provisionalLAWR2878.6%56.9%49.5%64.2%
25Stone Smartt◦ provisionalLACTE1963.2%56.9%47.2%66.3%
26Eric Saubert◦ provisionalSFTE1464.3%56.6%46.6%66.5%
27Brenton StrangeJAXTE5358.5%56.6%48.6%64.4%
28Pat FreiermuthPITTE7857.7%56.5%49.3%63.5%
29Darnell Washington◦ provisionalPITTE2560.0%56.4%47.0%65.5%
30Brock BowersLVTE15356.9%56.3%50.6%61.9%
31A.J. BrownPHIWR9761.9%56.3%50.3%62.1%
32Dallas Goedert◦ provisionalPHITE5257.7%56.1%48.1%64.0%
33Luke Schoonmaker◦ provisionalDALTE3658.3%56.1%47.4%64.7%
34Mike EvansTBWR11060.9%56.1%50.4%61.8%
35AJ Barner◦ provisionalSEATE3857.9%56.0%47.4%64.5%
36Puka NacuaLAWR10760.8%56.0%50.2%61.7%
37Drew Sample◦ provisionalCINTE2259.1%55.9%46.4%65.3%
38Tanner Hudson◦ provisionalCINTE2458.3%55.8%46.4%65.0%
39Daniel Bellinger◦ provisionalNYGTE1758.8%55.6%45.8%65.3%
40Travis KelceKCTE13456.0%55.6%49.6%61.5%
41Noah FantSEATE6456.3%55.5%47.9%63.0%
42Adam Thielen◦ provisionalCARWR6262.9%55.4%48.9%61.9%
43Harrison Bryant◦ provisionalLVTE1258.3%55.3%45.1%65.3%
44Ladd McConkeyLACWR11359.3%55.3%49.6%60.9%
45Brevyn Spann-Ford◦ provisionalDALTE1457.1%55.1%45.1%65.0%
46Sam LaPortaDETTE8355.4%55.1%48.0%62.1%
47Justin JeffersonMINWR15457.8%55.0%49.8%60.2%
48T.J. HockensonMINTE6254.8%54.7%47.1%62.3%
49Julian Hill◦ provisionalMIATE2055.0%54.7%45.1%64.2%
50Hunter HenryNETE9754.6%54.6%47.9%61.3%
51Dawson Knox◦ provisionalBUFTE3354.5%54.6%45.7%63.3%
52Drake LondonATLWR15956.6%54.3%49.2%59.5%
53DeAndre Hopkins◦ provisionalKCWR8058.8%54.3%48.1%60.5%
54Romeo Doubs◦ provisionalGBWR7358.9%54.2%47.8%60.5%
55Tutu Atwell◦ provisionalLAWR6259.7%54.1%47.6%60.7%
56Theo Johnson◦ provisionalNYGTE4353.5%54.1%45.7%62.4%
57Rashee Rice◦ provisionalKCWR2965.5%54.0%46.6%61.4%
58Jalen Nailor◦ provisionalMINWR4261.9%54.0%47.0%61.0%
59Jordan AkinsCLETE5853.4%54.0%46.2%61.7%
60Devaughn Vele◦ provisionalDENWR5560.0%54.0%47.3%60.7%
61Chris Olave◦ provisionalNOWR4461.4%54.0%47.0%60.9%
62Lucas Krull◦ provisionalDENTE2352.2%53.9%44.4%63.2%
63Khalil ShakirBUFWR10057.0%53.8%47.9%59.7%
64Will DisslyLACTE6453.1%53.8%46.2%61.3%
65Tyler Higbee◦ provisionalLATE1250.0%53.8%43.5%63.8%
66Juwan JohnsonNOTE6852.9%53.7%46.2%61.1%
67Jaxon Smith-NjigbaSEAWR13855.8%53.6%48.3%59.0%
68Justin Watson◦ provisionalKCWR3262.5%53.5%46.2%60.8%
69DeVonta Smith◦ provisionalPHIWR9056.7%53.5%47.5%59.5%
70Kendrick Bourne◦ provisionalNEWR3860.5%53.4%46.2%60.5%
71Jaylen Waddle◦ provisionalMIAWR8556.5%53.3%47.2%59.4%
72Tylan Wallace◦ provisionalBALWR1275.0%53.3%45.3%61.2%
73Erick All◦ provisionalCINTE2250.0%53.2%43.7%62.6%
74Jalen Coker◦ provisionalCARWR4658.7%53.2%46.3%60.1%
75Mack Hollins◦ provisionalBUFWR5058.0%53.1%46.3%59.9%
76Courtland SuttonDENWR13554.8%53.0%47.6%58.4%
77Kalif Raymond◦ provisionalDETWR2263.6%53.0%45.4%60.6%
78John Bates◦ provisionalWASTE1346.2%52.9%42.8%63.0%
79Jakobi MeyersLVWR13054.6%52.9%47.4%58.4%
80Jauan JenningsSFWR11354.9%52.9%47.2%58.6%
81Colby Parkinson◦ provisionalLATE4951.0%52.9%44.7%61.0%
82Tommy Tremble◦ provisionalCARTE3250.0%52.9%43.9%61.7%
83Olamide Zaccheaus◦ provisionalWASWR6456.3%52.8%46.3%59.3%
84Malik Heath◦ provisionalGBWR1369.2%52.8%44.8%60.7%
85Josh Whyle◦ provisionalTENTE3850.0%52.7%44.0%61.2%
86Terry McLaurinWASWR11854.2%52.6%46.9%58.2%
87Nico CollinsHOUWR9954.5%52.6%46.7%58.5%
88Allen Lazard◦ provisionalNYJWR6155.7%52.6%46.0%59.1%
89Mo Alie-Cox◦ provisionalINDTE2347.8%52.5%43.1%61.9%
90Johnny Mundt◦ provisionalMINTE2748.1%52.4%43.2%61.5%
91Chig OkonkwoTENTE7150.7%52.4%45.0%59.7%
92Noah Brown◦ provisionalWASWR5655.4%52.3%45.6%59.0%
93Darnell MooneyATLWR10653.8%52.2%46.4%58.0%
94Jake Bobo◦ provisionalSEAWR1861.1%52.2%44.4%59.9%
95Pharaoh Brown◦ provisionalSEATE1241.7%52.2%42.0%62.3%
96Charlie Woerner◦ provisionalATLTE1241.7%52.2%42.0%62.3%
97DeMario Douglas◦ provisionalNEWR8754.0%52.2%46.1%58.3%
98Brian Thomas Jr.JAXWR13553.3%52.2%46.7%57.6%
99Tim Patrick◦ provisionalDETWR4555.6%52.1%45.2%59.1%
100Andrew Ogletree◦ provisionalINDTE1442.9%52.1%42.1%62.1%
101Tyler Lockett◦ provisionalSEAWR7454.0%52.1%45.7%58.4%
102Jayden Reed◦ provisionalGBWR7653.9%52.0%45.7%58.3%
103Ja'Tavion Sanders◦ provisionalCARTE4348.8%52.0%43.6%60.4%
104Josh DownsINDWR10753.3%52.0%46.2%57.8%
105Zay FlowersBALWR11753.0%51.9%46.2%57.5%
106Josh Palmer◦ provisionalLACWR6753.7%51.8%45.4%58.3%
107Kayshon Boutte◦ provisionalNEWR6953.6%51.8%45.4%58.2%
108Garrett WilsonNYJWR15452.6%51.8%46.6%57.0%
109Cedrick Wilson Jr.◦ provisionalNOWR2755.6%51.6%44.2%59.1%
110Jalen McMillan◦ provisionalTBWR5853.4%51.6%45.0%58.3%
111Stefon Diggs◦ provisionalHOUWR6453.1%51.6%45.0%58.1%
112Xavier WorthyKCWR9952.5%51.5%45.6%57.4%
113Tyler ConklinNYJTE7349.3%51.5%44.2%58.8%
114Rashod Bateman◦ provisionalBALWR7252.8%51.5%45.1%57.8%
115Hayden Hurst◦ provisionalLACTE1338.5%51.4%41.3%61.5%
116Luke Farrell◦ provisionalJAXTE1741.2%51.3%41.5%61.1%
117JuJu Smith-Schuster◦ provisionalKCWR2653.8%51.2%43.7%58.7%
118Alec Pierce◦ provisionalINDWR6952.2%51.2%44.8%57.6%
119Malik Washington◦ provisionalMIAWR3652.8%51.1%43.9%58.3%
120Kyle PittsATLTE7448.6%51.1%43.8%58.4%
121Ray-Ray McCloud◦ provisionalATLWR8751.7%51.1%45.0%57.2%
122Jameson Williams◦ provisionalDETWR9151.6%51.1%45.0%57.1%
123Jerry JeudyCLEWR14851.3%51.0%45.7%56.3%
124Sterling Shepard◦ provisionalTBWR5251.9%51.0%44.2%57.8%
125Tyreek HillMIAWR12351.2%50.9%45.3%56.5%
126Jamison Crowder◦ provisionalWASWR1353.8%50.9%43.0%58.8%
127Darius Slayton◦ provisionalNYGWR7251.4%50.9%44.5%57.2%
128Bub Means◦ provisionalNOWR1553.3%50.9%43.0%58.7%
129Derius Davis◦ provisionalLACWR1752.9%50.9%43.1%58.6%
130Dalton KincaidBUFTE7548.0%50.7%43.5%58.0%
131Ricky Pearsall◦ provisionalSFWR4751.1%50.7%43.8%57.6%
132Parker Washington◦ provisionalJAXWR5350.9%50.7%43.9%57.4%
133David Moore◦ provisionalCARWR5750.9%50.6%44.0%57.3%
134Andrei Iosivas◦ provisionalCINWR6150.8%50.6%44.0%57.2%
135Michael Wilson◦ provisionalARIWR7150.7%50.6%44.2%57.0%
136Adam Trautman◦ provisionalDENTE2240.9%50.6%41.1%60.0%
137Jalen Tolbert◦ provisionalDALWR7950.6%50.6%44.3%56.8%
138Tank Dell◦ provisionalHOUWR8150.6%50.5%44.3%56.8%
139Quentin Johnston◦ provisionalLACWR9150.5%50.5%44.5%56.5%
140Michael Mayer◦ provisionalLVTE3243.8%50.5%41.6%59.4%
141KhaDarel Hodge◦ provisionalATLWR1250.0%50.4%42.5%58.4%
142Mecole Hardman◦ provisionalKCWR1450.0%50.4%42.5%58.3%
143Devin Duvernay◦ provisionalJAXWR1650.0%50.4%42.6%58.2%
144Ryan Miller◦ provisionalTBWR2050.0%50.4%42.7%58.1%
145Josh Reynolds◦ provisionalJAXWR2450.0%50.4%42.8%57.9%
146Greg Dortch◦ provisionalARIWR5050.0%50.3%43.5%57.1%
147Jordan AddisonMINWR10050.0%50.2%44.3%56.1%
148Marvin Harrison Jr.ARIWR11650.0%50.2%44.5%55.9%
149Christian Kirk◦ provisionalJAXWR4748.9%50.0%43.1%56.9%
150Brandon Aiyuk◦ provisionalSFWR4748.9%50.0%43.1%56.9%
151John Metchie III◦ provisionalHOUWR3748.6%50.0%42.8%57.1%
152Davis Allen◦ provisionalLATE1330.8%49.9%39.8%60.0%
153Calvin Austin III◦ provisionalPITWR5848.3%49.6%43.0%56.3%
154Keon Coleman◦ provisionalBUFWR5848.3%49.6%43.0%56.3%
155Kevin Austin Jr.◦ provisionalNOWR2245.5%49.5%41.9%57.1%
156DeAndre Carter◦ provisionalCHIWR1442.9%49.5%41.6%57.4%
157Chris Conley◦ provisionalSFWR1241.7%49.5%41.5%57.5%
158DK MetcalfSEAWR10948.6%49.5%43.7%55.3%
159Davante AdamsNYJWR14248.6%49.4%44.0%54.7%
160Cade OttonTBTE8746.0%49.2%42.3%56.2%
161Cade Stover◦ provisionalHOUTE2236.4%49.2%39.8%58.7%
162Mike Williams◦ provisionalPITWR3545.7%49.2%42.0%56.4%
163Luke McCaffrey◦ provisionalWASWR2544.0%49.1%41.6%56.6%
164Marquise Brown◦ provisionalKCWR1540.0%49.0%41.2%56.9%
165Nick Westbrook-Ikhine◦ provisionalTENWR6046.7%49.0%42.4%55.6%
166Tyler Boyd◦ provisionalTENWR5846.6%49.0%42.3%55.6%
167Van Jefferson◦ provisionalPITWR4045.0%48.9%41.8%55.9%
168Robert Woods◦ provisionalHOUWR3043.3%48.8%41.4%56.1%
169Taysom Hill◦ provisionalNOTE3138.7%48.7%39.8%57.7%
170Trey Palmer◦ provisionalTBWR2240.9%48.7%41.1%56.3%
171Malik NabersNYGWR17247.7%48.7%43.6%53.7%
172Simi Fehoko◦ provisionalLACWR1637.5%48.6%40.8%56.4%
173Cedric Tillman◦ provisionalCLEWR5145.1%48.6%41.8%55.4%
174Ryan Flournoy◦ provisionalDALWR1435.7%48.6%40.7%56.5%
175CeeDee LambDALWR15447.4%48.6%43.4%53.8%
176Jalen Reagor◦ provisionalLACWR1233.3%48.5%40.6%56.5%
177Tyler Johnson◦ provisionalLAWR4143.9%48.5%41.4%55.6%
178Durham Smythe◦ provisionalMIATE1729.4%48.4%38.7%58.3%
179Jahan Dotson◦ provisionalPHIWR3342.4%48.4%41.1%55.7%
180Nelson Agholor◦ provisionalBALWR2941.4%48.3%41.0%55.8%
181Christian Watson◦ provisionalGBWR5444.4%48.3%41.6%55.0%
182Michael PittmanINDWR11246.4%48.3%42.6%54.0%
183KaVontae Turpin◦ provisionalDALWR5244.2%48.3%41.5%55.1%
184Johnny Wilson◦ provisionalPHIWR1533.3%48.1%40.3%56.0%
185Jeremy Ruckert◦ provisionalNYJTE2835.7%48.0%38.9%57.2%
186Marvin Mims Jr.◦ provisionalDENWR5343.4%47.9%41.2%54.7%
187Xavier Hutchinson◦ provisionalHOUWR2638.5%47.9%40.4%55.4%
188Demarcus Robinson◦ provisionalLAWR6643.9%47.8%41.3%54.3%
189Dalton SchultzHOUTE8543.5%47.8%40.8%54.8%
190Rashid Shaheed◦ provisionalNOWR4141.5%47.8%40.7%54.8%
191Jermaine Burton◦ provisionalCINWR1428.6%47.6%39.8%55.5%
192Brandin Cooks◦ provisionalDALWR5442.6%47.6%40.9%54.4%
193Dante Pettis◦ provisionalNOWR2937.9%47.5%40.2%54.9%
194Kylen Granson◦ provisionalINDTE3135.5%47.5%38.6%56.5%
195Rome OdunzeCHIWR10144.5%47.4%41.6%53.3%
196Calvin RidleyTENWR12045.0%47.4%41.8%53.0%
197Gabe Davis◦ provisionalJAXWR4240.5%47.4%40.4%54.4%
198Dyami Brown◦ provisionalWASWR4040.0%47.4%40.3%54.5%
199Dontayvion Wicks◦ provisionalGBWR7643.4%47.3%41.1%53.6%
200Odell Beckham Jr.◦ provisionalMIAWR1931.6%47.3%39.6%55.0%
201Jalin Hyatt◦ provisionalNYGWR1931.6%47.3%39.6%55.0%
202DJ MooreCHIWR14245.1%47.2%41.9%52.6%
203Lil'Jordan Humphrey◦ provisionalDENWR4540.0%47.1%40.2%54.1%
204Gerald Everett◦ provisionalCHITE1315.4%46.8%36.8%57.0%
205DJ Turner◦ provisionalLVWR2934.5%46.7%39.4%54.1%
206Mike Woods◦ provisionalCLEWR1723.5%46.4%38.6%54.2%
207Jalen Brooks◦ provisionalDALWR3033.3%46.3%39.0%53.7%
208Keenan AllenCHIWR12343.1%46.3%40.8%51.9%
209Mason Tipton◦ provisionalNOWR2630.8%46.2%38.8%53.7%
210Cooper KuppLAWR10042.0%46.1%40.3%52.0%
211Amari Cooper◦ provisionalBUFWR8541.2%46.1%40.0%52.2%
212Curtis Samuel◦ provisionalBUFWR4637.0%46.0%39.2%53.0%
213Marquez Valdes-Scantling◦ provisionalNOWR4436.4%46.0%39.1%53.0%
214Greg Dulcich◦ provisionalNYGTE128.3%46.0%35.9%56.2%
215Deebo Samuel Sr.◦ provisionalSFWR8140.7%46.0%39.8%52.2%
216Tre Tucker◦ provisionalLVWR8140.7%46.0%39.8%52.2%
217K.J. Osborn◦ provisionalWASWR1822.2%46.0%38.3%53.7%
218George PickensPITWR10341.8%45.9%40.1%51.8%
219Xavier Legette◦ provisionalCARWR8540.0%45.5%39.4%51.6%
220Wan'Dale RobinsonNYGWR14042.1%45.5%40.2%50.9%
221Adonai Mitchell◦ provisionalINDWR5536.4%45.3%38.6%52.0%
222Diontae Johnson◦ provisionalHOUWR6737.3%45.0%38.6%51.5%
223Evan EngramJAXTE6737.3%44.9%37.5%52.4%
224Troy Franklin◦ provisionalDENWR5334.0%44.5%37.9%51.3%
225Ja'Lynn Polk◦ provisionalNEWR3426.5%44.1%37.0%51.4%
226Jake FergusonDALTE8637.2%43.8%36.9%50.8%
227Jonathan Mingo◦ provisionalDALWR4228.6%43.7%36.8%50.7%
228David NjokuCLETE9937.4%43.3%36.8%50.0%
229Elijah MooreCLEWR10235.3%42.6%36.8%48.4%

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).