How Consistency Ratings Work
Using fantasy points determined by ESPN's standard scoring, the charts contained in this column rate players based upon how consistently reliable they were from the 2013 through 2015 seasons, a span of 51 weeks' worth of games (17 games apiece in 2013, 2014 and 2015). For IDPs (individual defensive players), the following scoring is used: solo tackle (1), assisted tackle (0.5), sack (3), interception (3), forced fumble (3), fumble recovery (3), touchdown (6), safety (2), pass defended (1). To familiarize you with some of the terminology and column headers listed in the charts below:
Start%: The player's "Start Percentage," which shows how often he earned your start in an ESPN standard league. This is his number of "Starts" -- those defined below -- divided by his number of scheduled team games.
CR: The player's "Consistency Rating," which is calculated as his weekly standard deviation divided by his fantasy points per game average. This is meant to identify the players who were most consistently close to their weekly averages. The lower the number, the more consistent the player. Again, lower numbers are better.
PPR%: The player's Start Percentage using PPR scoring, which uses ESPN's standard scoring settings but adds one point per reception.
FPTS/G: The player's average fantasy points scored per game.
Start: The number of times that the player's point total in a given week was worthy of having had him active in an ESPN standard league.
Stud: The number of times the player's point total ranked among the top at his position.
Stiff: The number of times the player's point total ranked among the worst at his position, making almost any waiver-wire option a smarter choice.
These are the benchmarks for what constitutes a "Start," "Stud" or "Stiff" performance:
Sat: The number of times the player missed a game. Players are not charged "Stiff" points for sitting out, nor does it impact their overall Consistency Rating (CR), but it hurts their overall Start Percentage (Start%).
Players must have at least a 20.0 percent Start Percentage ("Start%") in either standard scoring or PPR leagues, or must rank among the top 10 quarterbacks, tight ends or kickers, top 25 running backs or wide receivers, or top 20 defensive linemen, linebackers or defensive backs, in terms of total fantasy points at their position from 2013-15, for inclusion in the chart. All defense/special teams are included, regardless of whether they met those minimums.
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