PFF Analysts

Ben Linsey

NFL Analyst • View all analysts

Recent Articles

nfl-roster-rankings-for-all-32-teams-for-2021-strengths-weaknesses-and-x-factors-for-every-teams-starting-lineup

With the 2021 draft and free agency behind us, we're breaking down each team's roster using the PFF database, with an eye toward the projected starters.

By Ben Linsey Jul 1, 2021 6:15 am EDT
nfl-top-5-offensive-linemen-break-out-2021

PFF has found that offensive linemen typically don’t reach their full potential before Year 3 or Year 4. Here are five candidates who are positioned to break out in 2021.

By Ben Linsey Jun 14, 2021 8:00 am EDT
nfl-cornerback-rankings-the-10-best-slot-cornerbacks-entering-the-2021-nfl-season

Slot defenders aren’t just specialists any longer — they’re essentially defensive starters. Here are PFF's 10 best slot cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season.

By Ben Linsey Jun 1, 2021 6:00 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-linsey-the-pittsburgh-steelers-offense-must-evolve-under-first-year-offensive-coordinator-matt-canada

Examining what has to go right for offensive coordinator Matt Canada, rookie running back Najee Harris and a re-worked offensive line to turn the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense around in 2021.

By Ben Linsey May 31, 2021 6:45 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-robert-saleh-defensive-line-priority-new-york-jets-2021

New head coach Robert Saleh spearheaded an elite defensive line with the San Francisco 49ers, and he's set to do it once again with the New York Jets.

By Ben Linsey May 27, 2021 7:00 am EDT New York Jets
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-how-the-houston-texans-can-make-the-most-of-a-lost-2021-season

PFF's Ben Linsey examines how the Houston Texans should approach the 2021 NFL season to ensure that they bottom out only briefly and can begin to prepare for 2022.

By Ben Linsey May 20, 2021 6:45 am EDT
nfl-projecting-starting-lineups-for-all-32-nfl-teams-following-the-2021-nfl-draft

With the 2021 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, PFF projects the starting lineups for all 32 NFL teams ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Jimmy Garoppolo remains the starter in San Francisco, while Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence take the reins from Day 1.

By Ben Linsey May 17, 2021 6:00 am EDT
nfl-team-fits-for-top-remaining-free-agents

PFF's Ben Linsey highlights his favorite team fits for some of the top available free-agent options, sending veteran CB Richard Sherman back home to Seattle and safety Malik Hooker to the Dallas Cowboys.

By Ben Linsey May 14, 2021 6:00 am EDT
nfl-ranking-the-nfls-best-pass-rushers-by-situation-in-2020

PFF takes a look back at the 2020 season and highlights the NFL's best pass-rushers by situation. Rams superstar Aaron Donald makes multiple appearances, while Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young also makes the list.

By Ben Linsey May 13, 2021 6:30 am EDT
nfl-most-improved-secondaries-free-agency-2021-nfl-draft

After making a splash in free agency, the Cleveland Browns further bolstered their secondary in the 2021 NFL Draft, landing them on this list of most improved secondaries.

By Ben Linsey May 6, 2021 6:15 am EDT
nfl-most-improved-receiving-corps-following-free-agency-and-the-2021-nfl-draft

A handful of teams addressed the receiving corps in the 2021 NFL Draft and free agency, bolstering their overall offenses along the way.

By Ben Linsey May 5, 2021 6:15 am EDT
nfl-most-improved-defensive-lines-free-agency-2021-nfl-draft

A handful of teams addressed defensive line holes in the 2021 NFL Draft and free agency, bolstering their overall defenses along the way.

By Ben Linsey May 4, 2021 6:15 am EDT
nfl-most-improved-nfl-offensive-lines-free-agency-2021-nfl-draft

A handful of teams addressed offensive line holes in the 2021 NFL Draft, bolstering units that held their offenses back last season.

By Ben Linsey May 3, 2021 7:00 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-biggest-reaches-seven-rounds

While some NFL teams take advantage of players falling to them in the NFL draft, others lock in on their favorite guys too early on, spending precious draft capital in the process.

By Ben Linsey May 3, 2021 6:15 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-day-3-targets-for-every-nfl-team-sleepers-late-round-picks

PFF's Ben Linsey highlights one player who should be on the radar for each NFL team ahead of Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey May 1, 2021 8:50 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
nfl-los-angeles-chargers-offensive-line-most-improved-offseason-2021-nfl-draft-free-agency

The Los Angeles Chargers took tackle Rashawn Slater with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, further solidifying an offensive line that plagued them in 2020.

By Ben Linsey Apr 30, 2021 10:45 am EDT Los Angeles Chargers
draft-landing-spots-day-2-2021-nfl-draft-round-2-round-3

PFF's Ben Linsey highlights one player who should be on the radar for each NFL team ahead of Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 30, 2021 5:00 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-biggest-reaches-round-one-first-round

The Las Vegas Raiders continued their trend of reaching in the first round of drafts, this time by taking Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood, who ranked 40th on PFF's Big Board.

By Ben Linsey Apr 30, 2021 1:32 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-denver-broncos-carolina-panthers-trade-teddy-bridgewater-sam-darnold-quarterback-2021-nfl-draft

While the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers traded for Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold, respectively, that shouldn't preclude them from drafting quarterbacks this year.

By Ben Linsey Apr 28, 2021 4:42 pm EDT Carolina Panthers Denver Broncos
draft-2021-nfl-draft-value-reaches-the-athletic-consensus-big-board

Ben Linsey compares PFF's Big Board for the 2021 NFL Draft against The Athletic's Consensus Board to unearth potential steals and reaches.

By Ben Linsey Apr 28, 2021 7:15 am EDT
Bio

Ben onboarded to PFF full-time in May 2019. He works as an NFL Analyst and as part of the team that produces prep work for NBC's Sunday Night Football. Ben also contributes articles to the content team. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

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