PFF Analysts

Ben Linsey

NFL Analyst • View all analysts

Recent Articles

College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2020-nfl-draft-zack-baun-josh-uche-and-the-value-of-positional-versatility

Zack Baun and Josh Uche have shown the ability to rush the passer at a high level but are also athletic enough to play off-ball. NFL Teams that add such players in the 2020 NFL Draft can build their schemes around this versatility.

By Ben Linsey Apr 16, 2020 11:01 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2020-nfl-draft-kvon-wallace-has-everything-you-want-in-a-slot-cornerback

In today’s NFL, teams need slot cornerbacks who can stick with some of the top receivers in the NFL. Clemson's K'Von Wallace has all the tools necessary to succeed in that role, and he has all the potential to be a steal on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 16, 2020 8:30 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-pff-penn-state-yetur-gross-matos-day-2-prospect

Penn State edge defender Yetur Gross-Matos struggled to dominate lesser competition in college, and that lack of consistency has him lower on PFF's Big Board.

By Ben Linsey Apr 15, 2020 8:30 am EDT
draft-intriguing-first-round-luxury-picks-of-the-2020-nfl-draft-isaiah-simmons-goes-to-the-chargers-ceedee-lamb-reunites-with-kyler-murray

Most mock drafts operate by filling needs first and foremost. Here, we flip that on its head and look at some potential first-round bargains at perceived positions of strength.

By Ben Linsey Apr 14, 2020 10:45 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2020-nfl-draft-missouri-interior-defender-jordan-elliott-first-round-talent

Most 2020 NFL mock drafts have Missouri's Jordan Elliott slated as a Day 2 prospect, but the numbers say otherwise — Elliott is deserving of a first-round pick.

By Ben Linsey Apr 13, 2020 10:18 am EDT
nfl-top-2019-free-agents-who-changed-nfl-teams-for-the-better

We often overrate the kind of impact that free agent signings will have with their new teams, especially in their first season as they adjust to systems. With that in mind, here is how PFF’s top 2019 free agents fared last season after switching teams.

By Ben Linsey Apr 10, 2020 5:00 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-how-the-minnesota-vikings-should-attack-the-first-three-rounds-of-the-2020-nfl-draft

The Minnesota Vikings must find immediate contributors in the 2020 NFL Draft — here’s how the Vikings should attack the draft with five picks in the first three rounds.

By Ben Linsey Apr 9, 2020 6:13 am EDT
draft-2020-nfl-draft-perfect-landing-spots-for-the-top-10-edge-defenders

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than a month away, we look at the best possible landing spots for the top edge prospects in the draft class.

By Ben Linsey Apr 8, 2020 4:56 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-a-healthy-big-ben-makes-the-steelers-afc-contenders-in-2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense tanked in 2019 without Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. Big Ben’s return will elevate an intriguing group of talent opposite a great defense, making the Steelers AFC contenders in 2020.

By Ben Linsey Apr 8, 2020 4:01 am EDT
nfl-projecting-the-top-25-nfl-free-agents-in-2021

Dak Prescott and Chris Godwin headline PFF's list of the best players likely to hit free agency in 2021.

By Ben Linsey Apr 3, 2020 5:00 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-the-cincinnati-bengals-have-rebuilt-their-defense

The Cincinnati Bengals were surprisingly active in NFL free agency, adding five new starters to a defense that struggled in 2019 but returns the likes of Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard.

By Ben Linsey Apr 2, 2020 4:56 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-the-new-orleans-saints-improved-one-of-the-best-rosters-in-the-nfl

The New Orleans Saints addressed their biggest areas of weaknesses during NFL free agency, putting them in prime position to be one of the leading contenders in the NFC next season.

By Ben Linsey Apr 1, 2020 5:00 am EDT New Orleans Saints
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-delanie-walker-clear-top-option-remaining-tight-end-this-nfl-offseason

With a lack of talent at tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft and the remains of free agency, Delanie Walker stands out as the best option left.

By Ben Linsey Mar 31, 2020 5:00 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-the-nfl-continues-undervalue-slot-cornerbacks

Slot cornerbacks tend to generate wins above replacement figures similar to that of outside cornerbacks, yet they are often paid far less.

By Ben Linsey Mar 27, 2020 4:00 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-the-case-for-trading-christian-mccaffrey

Waiting to trade RB Christian McCaffrey only adds another year to his age, another season of wear on his body and another year for the NFL to devalue the running back position. The Carolina Panthers' chance to make a move in the NFL trade market is right now.

By Ben Linsey Mar 25, 2020 6:00 am EDT
nfl-ideal-fits-for-the-10-best-remaining-nfl-free-agents

Cam Newton joins Jameis Winston at the top of PFF’s list of the 10 best remaining NFL free agents. Here are the landing spots that make the most sense considering cap space, team needs and player fit.

By Ben Linsey Mar 24, 2020 8:48 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-the-jacksonville-jaguars-have-officially-entered-the-2021-quarterback-sweepstakes

In only two years, the Jacksonville Jaguars have gone from being a team 15 minutes away from the Super Bowl to a team that doesn’t look to be competing for anything other than the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Mar 23, 2020 5:00 am EDT
nfl-free-agency-live-deal-grader

The PFF Free Agency Deal Grader will break down all the news using PFF’s play-by-play grading system along with team situations and contract details, and we'll assign each deal into one of six categories: Elite, Very Good, Above Average, Average, Below Average or Poor.

By Ben Linsey Mar 22, 2020 5:00 am EDT
nfl-early-winners-losers-2020-nfl-free-agency

Aside from the Arizona Cardinals fleecing the Houston Texans for DeAndre Hopkins, a handful of teams have made significant improvements early in free agency — and some have done the opposite.

By Ben Linsey Mar 19, 2020 9:34 am EDT
nfl-a-stacked-philadelphia-eagles-defensive-line-got-even-better-with-the-javon-hargrave-signing

The Philadelphia Eagles’ latest addition via NFL free agency, Javon Hargrave, is a disruptor who is going to shine on a defensive line already chock full of NFL talent.

By Ben Linsey Mar 18, 2020 2:25 pm 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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