The hottest Player evaluation Substack posts right now

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If the Las Vegas Raiders Don't Trade Down From the First Overall Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, They'll Regret It

Freddie deBoer • 2165 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. Trading down from the first pick is smarter than drafting Fernando Mendoza; the Raiders should convert that top pick into multiple quality assets instead of betting everything on one rookie.
  2. The team’s problems run deeper than quarterback — a weak interior offensive line and thin roster depth would likely stunt any rookie QB’s development, so they need several reliable starters, not a single savior.
  3. Trade premium-but-aging assets like Maxx Crosby to stockpile picks, pursue a proven QB (e.g., Kyler Murray) for short-term stability, and use the accumulated capital to rebuild the trenches and long-term flexibility.

True Pressure Rate (TPR): Week 6 Update

Trench Warfare • 79 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. True Pressure Rate (TPR) is a new tool for evaluating pass-rushers that focuses on the quality of pressures, not just the amount. This helps to understand who the best defenders really are.
  2. Pressures are categorized into three quality levels: Rare High Quality, High Quality, and Low Quality. This classification provides deeper insight into a player's performance and effectiveness.
  3. The Pressure Quality Ratio (PQR) compares high-quality pressures to low-quality ones. This helps identify players who may not have a lot of pressures but are still working hard and making an impact.

An Odd Theory on Justin Herbert Apologism

House of Strauss • 27 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. Quarterbacks are best judged by what they actually do on the field, since the sport is chaotic and contextual excuses often overreach.
  2. Justin Herbert has elite physical tools and high football intelligence, but his advanced metrics and playoff outings suggest roughly average production and a tendency to struggle under duress.
  3. Much of the media's protective praise reflects the Chargers' weak, apathetic fan base; with fewer passionate critics, his reputation faces less scrutiny and can persist despite inconsistent play.
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The Julius Randle Question

Knicks Film School • 833 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. The Julius Randle Question is a hot topic in the NBA community.
  2. Julius Randle's performance has been a mix of highs and lows, sparking varied opinions.
  3. Deciding the future of Julius Randle with the Knicks is complex and impacts the team's dynamics and potential trades.

Reflecting on key ideas from two past Signals posts

Stealing Signals • 139 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. Success in fantasy football is not solely reliant on the advice of experts but on the effort and engagement of the players themselves.
  2. Examining individual players within the context of their own careers is more valuable than making comparisons between players in different situations.
  3. Considering full-season data without understanding how it was accumulated and the conditions present can lead to flawed predictions for the upcoming season.

The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR): Week 3 Update

Trench Warfare • 198 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. The True Sack Rate (TSR) metric evaluates sack quality based on different factors like skill, move, and athleticism.
  2. TSR differentiates sacks into categories like Rare High Quality (RHQ), High Quality (HQ), Low Quality (LQ), and Coverage/Cleanup, providing insights into player performance.
  3. Through TSR analysis of edge rushers, players like Rashan Gary and Dennis Gardeck stand out with impressive sack scores and performances.

The Hall of Fame is about more than WAR

Silver Bulletin • 232 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. The Hall of Fame should consider many factors, not just one statistic like Wins Above Replacement (WAR). This means looking at achievements, player talent, and character too.
  2. Players might have high WAR scores but lack the greatness often associated with Hall of Fame status. For example, a consistent but average player shouldn't necessarily be in the Hall over a standout who had fewer career years.
  3. Voters for the Hall of Fame are required to consider a player's overall impact, including postseason performances and fan appeal. This makes it a more complex decision than just focusing on statistics.

True Pressure Score (TPS): Grading the the top 22 in pressures through the first seven weeks of the season

Trench Warfare • 138 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. True Pressure Score (TPS) is a metric used to evaluate pass-rushers based on different types of pressures.
  2. The Pressure Quality Ratio (PQR) measures the efficiency of pass-rushers by comparing high quality pressures to low quality pressures.
  3. Players like Crosby and Hutchinson lead in TPS, while Garrett and Carter stand out in PQR with high efficiency ratios.

The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR): Week 5 Update

Trench Warfare • 79 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR) metric differentiates sack types based on player skill and circumstances for better evaluation.
  2. TSR provides a sack score system with four categories, including Rare High Quality (RHQ), High Quality (HQ), Low Quality (LQ), and Coverage/Cleanup Sack.
  3. The article provides insights and rankings on edge rushers and interior defensive linemen based on their sack scores through Week 5 of the 2023 season.

Jett Howard and Taylor Hendricks: Surprise NBA Lottery Picks?

Chad Ford's NBA Big Board • 59 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. College players Jett Howard and Taylor Hendricks are surprising NBA lottery picks after being ranked outside the top 50 in high school recruiting classes.
  2. Both players have decided to forgo their remaining college eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA Draft.
  3. Five NBA scouts provided evaluations on the unexpected rise of these two players this season.

NBA Western Conference preview

Silver Bulletin • 60 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Player evaluation
  1. Eleven Western Conference teams are aiming to contend, with high aspirations and superstar talent.
  2. Balancing high expectations and the reality of a 1230-game season in NBA projections can be challenging.
  3. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns face uncertainties with roster changes, aging stars, and fit issues.