PFF Analysts

Ben Linsey

NFL Analyst • View all analysts

Recent Articles

nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-2021-free-agency-and-draft-preview

PFF's Ben Linsey breaks down how the Pittsburgh Steelers should utilize free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft to retool a talented roster amid a rough salary cap situation.

By Ben Linsey Feb 15, 2021 7:45 am EST
nfl-baltimore-ravens-2021-free-agency-draft-preview

PFF's Ben Linsey breaks down how the Baltimore Ravens should utilize free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft to upgrade at wide receiver and edge rusher, among other positions.

By Ben Linsey Feb 15, 2021 7:30 am EST Baltimore Ravens
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-bengals-chargers-offensive-line-free-agency-2021-nfl-draft

The Bengals and Chargers should look to add pieces in both free agency and the draft, bringing in a mix of youth and veteran talent up front. Here’s the blueprint.

By Ben Linsey Feb 12, 2021 6:30 am EST Los Angeles Chargers Cincinnati Bengals
nfl-team-fits-for-2021-free-agent-safety-class

PFF breaks down the ideal landing spots for a very deep class of free agent safeties.

By Ben Linsey Feb 11, 2021 7:30 am EST
nfl-ranking-eight-last-place-nfl-teams-worst-to-first-2021

The Washington Football Team were the only team to go from worst to first in 2020, and here's how the eight last-place teams from this past season stack up to do the same in 2021.

By Ben Linsey Feb 9, 2021 6:15 am EST
nfl-every-nfl-teams-most-improved-player-in-2020

PFF's Ben Linsey looks at every NFL team's most improved player from the 2020 season. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen headlines a list that also includes 49ers LB Fred Warner, Giants QB Daniel Jones and Denver Broncos LT Garett Bolles.

By Ben Linsey Feb 8, 2021 6:15 am EST
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-looking-back-at-the-carolina-panthers-decision-to-go-all-defense-in-the-2020-nfl-draft

PFF's Ben Linsey breaks down all seven of the Carolina Panthers' 2020 NFL draft picks to see how the decision to spend so much draft capital on defense looks one year later.

By Ben Linsey Feb 4, 2021 7:15 am EST
nfl-ranking-the-best-chiefs-buccaneers-players-in-super-bowl-2021-will-patrick-mahomes-tom-brady-top-the-list

PFF ranks all 44 projected Super Bowl starters along with nine rotational players whom we expect to play key roles.

By Ben Linsey Feb 4, 2021 5:45 am EST Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kansas City Chiefs
nfl-pffs-all-old-man-team-most-impressive-late-career-single-season-performances-at-each-position-since-2006

Looking back on 15 years of PFF grading to highlight players whose level of play defied their ages, from Tom Brady's 2020 season to Michael Strahan's 2007 campaign.

By Ben Linsey Feb 2, 2021 6:30 am EST
draft-2021-nfl-mock-draft-new-york-jets-acquire-deshaun-watson-zach-wilson-lands-with-the-houston-texans-at-no-2-overall

PFF's Ben Linsey mocks the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, sending Trevor Lawrence to Jacksonville, Penei Sewell to Atlanta and Deshaun Watson to the New York Jets in a trade that includes the No. 2 overall pick.

By Ben Linsey Feb 1, 2021 6:00 am EST
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-cleveland-browns-offense-odell-beckham-jr-kevin-stefanski-baker-mayfield

Some began to believe that Odell Beckham Jr. had a negative influence on the Cleveland Browns' offense after the unit hit its stride following his season-ending injury, but that's far from the case.

By Ben Linsey Jan 28, 2021 8:00 am EST
nfl-2021-free-agency-edge-defenders-misvalued-2020-sack-totals

Examining four upcoming free agent edge rushers with big discrepancies between their 2020 pressure and sack rates that may lead to them either being undervalued or overvalued this offseason.

By Ben Linsey Jan 27, 2021 8:00 am EST
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-marcus-mariota-quarterback-2021-offseason-free-agency-low-risk-option

All signs point to the NFL starting quarterback landscape looking very different in 2021 compared to 2020. And Marcus Mariota, while not a free agent, should be an enticing target for many teams.

By Ben Linsey Jan 26, 2021 8:00 am EST
nfl-5-disappointing-rookies-from-2020-jeff-okudah-andrew-thomas-patrick-queen-isaiah-wilson-henry-ruggs

PFF's Ben Linsey examines some disappointing seasons from first-round picks and attempts to shed light on what those performances mean for the players' prospects in the league.

By Ben Linsey Jan 25, 2021 6:45 am EST
nfl-afc-nfc-championship-preview-week-6-matchups

The Kansas City Chiefs toppled the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of the Green Bay Packers. Now, the teams meet again with more on the line.

By Ben Linsey Jan 20, 2021 7:00 am EST
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-washington-football-team-quarterback-options-2021-deshaun-watson-taylor-heinicke

Deshaun Watson is the best-case scenario at quarterback for Washington, and the Football Team should do everything in its power to win the Watson sweepstakes this offseason.

By Ben Linsey Jan 19, 2021 7:00 am EST Washington Commanders
nfl-best-players-in-2020-highest-graded-players-rookies-and-surprises-at-every-position

PFF's Ben Linsey presents the highest-graded players at every position from the 2020 season, plus the top rookie and a surprise from each position.

By Ben Linsey Jan 19, 2021 6:15 am EST
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-drew-brees-hall-of-fame-career-weak-link-new-orleans-saints

The New Orleans Saints went all-in on building around Drew Brees in 2020, but now they face an offseason surrounded with questions as to what the future looks like and how they navigate the most tenuous cap situation in the NFL. 

By Ben Linsey Jan 18, 2021 8:00 am EST New Orleans Saints
nfl-2020-divisional-round-pff-refocused-kansas-city-chiefs-22-cleveland-browns-17

The Kansas City Chiefs get to celebrate their third consecutive AFC championship appearance following their 22-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round.

By Ben Linsey Jan 17, 2021 6:50 pm EST Cleveland Browns Kansas City Chiefs
nfl-jacksonville-jaguars-hire-urban-meyer-as-their-next-head-coach

Urban Meyer has a history of being a successful head coach, but questions remain about his ability to steer the ship in NFL waters.

By Ben Linsey Jan 14, 2021 8:00 pm EST
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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