NFL Top 100 Analytics: Evaluating the Factors that Drive Top 100 Rankings
Author:
Max Wilson ’27Co-Authors:
Faculty Mentor(s):
Sam Gutekunst, Computer Science, Mathematics & StatisticsJoe Wilck, Business Analytics
Funding Source:
James L.D. and Rebecca Roser Research FundAbstract
The NFL Top 100 is a ranking released each summer, designed to highlight the top NFL players based on the votes of their peers. Each year, NFL players are asked to rank the league’s best players, with results providing an insider’s perspective on player performance. This project aims to better understand the factors that matter most to NFL players when determining these rankings. Specifically, we explored how player positions, team affiliations, and other external factors might influence the rankings. We also identified whether certain factors, such as media coverage or statistical performance, play a substantial role in shaping the rankings. Our methodology began by collecting data on the NFL Top 100 rankings, along with other major player rankings (like those from ESPN and CBS Sports), as well as individual player statistics. We then analyzed how the NFL Top 100 has evolved over time, looking at trends in player selections and the impact of factors like legacy and QBR. In doing so, we aimed to uncover patterns in the rankings and predict which factors NFL players prioritize when making their selections.