PFF Analysts

Ben Linsey

NFL Analyst • View all analysts

Recent Articles

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
draft-lessons-learned-2020-nfl-draft

Justin Herbert and Justin Jefferson emerged out of the 2020 NFL Draft class, helping to provide some lessons for this year's affair.

By Ben Linsey Apr 27, 2021 6:45 am EDT
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From North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance to Oregon safety Jevon Holland, PFF's Ben Linsey dives into his favorite 2021 NFL Draft prospects.

By Ben Linsey Apr 26, 2021 6:45 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-top-options-new-york-giants-no-11-overall-pick

For the New York Giants, the 2021 NFL Draft should be all about building around young quarterback Daniel Jones, whether that be adding talent to the offensive line or adding a top-tier pass-catcher to round the receiving corps.

By Ben Linsey Apr 23, 2021 7:00 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2021-nfl-draft-top-options-denver-broncos-no-9-overall-pick

The Denver Broncos' roster is too good for the team not to explore drafting a quarterback with its first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 22, 2021 6:45 am EDT Denver Broncos
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2021-nfl-draft-exploring-top-options-carolina-panthers-no-8-overall

While the Carolina Panthers acquired Sam Darnold via trade this offseason, they shouldn't write off the possibility of selecting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 21, 2021 6:30 am EDT Carolina Panthers
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2021-nfl-draft-top-options-detroit-lions-no-7-overall-pick

There are a number of different options on the table for Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes at Pick 7 in the 2021 NFL Draft, from receiver to offensive line to defense to quarterback.

By Ben Linsey Apr 20, 2021 7:30 am EDT
College & Draft
Premium Content
draft-2021-nfl-draft-top-options-atlanta-falcons-no-4-overall-pick

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts has often been linked to the Atlanta Falcons during the 2021 NFL offseason, but other options could be more fruitful for the team.

By Ben Linsey Apr 20, 2021 7:00 am EDT Atlanta Falcons
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-jacksonville-jaguars-quick-2021-turnaround-weak-afc-south-trevor-lawrence-urban-meyer

The Jacksonville Jaguars went 1-15 in 2020, but a weak AFC South and a myriad of new additions could push the team to the forefront sooner rather than later.

By Ben Linsey Apr 16, 2021 6:30 am EDT Jacksonville Jaguars
draft-2021-nfl-draft-surprising-first-round-picks-dyami-brown-payton-turner-ifeatu-melifonwu-dillon-radunz

The NFL draft always comes with a handful of surprises at the back end of the first round. Here are four players who could surprise us when the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft kicks off in two weeks.

By Ben Linsey Apr 15, 2021 6:30 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-trade-patriots-washington-football-team-steelers-2021-quarterback-class

Trading away draft picks to move up and select a quarterback who won't start right away is not always a popular decision, but the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and the Washington Football team should at least consider it for a talent like Mac Jones or Justin Fields.

By Ben Linsey Apr 14, 2021 8:00 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-narratives-trey-lance-mac-jones-kyle-pitts-devonta-smith-jason-oweh-rashawn-slater

NFL draft season always comes with its share of outlandish takes, with this year's iteration notably questioning Trey Lance's NFL readiness, DeVonta Smith's size and Kyle Pitts' blocking ability. And like most hot takes, these are completely debunked by the PFF data.

By Ben Linsey Apr 13, 2021 6:00 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-five-wide-receiver-prospects-unfavorable-college-situations

Talented college football receivers are sometimes the victims of poor surroundings, as was the case with these five prospects who could be steals in the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 9, 2021 7:15 am EDT
draft-2021-nfl-draft-risers-and-fallers-mock-draft-simulator-mac-jones-rondale-moore

PFF's Ben Linsey breaks down the most recent risers and fallers on PFF's mock draft simulator, from Alabama QB Mac Jones to Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore to Miami DL Jaelan Phillips.

By Ben Linsey Apr 7, 2021 6:15 am EDT
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The Cleveland Browns' offensive line is among the strongest position groups heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.

By Ben Linsey Apr 6, 2021 6:45 am EDT
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PFF's Ben Linsey mocks the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, sending Trevor Lawrence to Jacksonville, Trey Lance to Denver and Kyle Pitts to Miami. The 49ers also get their QB of the future in Ohio State's Justin Fields at No. 3 overall.

By Ben Linsey Apr 5, 2021 6:00 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-2021-new-york-giants-free-agency-daniel-jones-kenny-golladay

Daniel Jones will have at least an average receiving corps to go along with a relatively strong-looking defense. With that additional pressure, Jones will be playing for his future with the New York Giants in 2021.

By Ben Linsey Apr 2, 2021 7:00 am EDT New York Giants
nfl-weakest-team-positional-groups-2021-nfl-draft

The Atlanta Falcons' secondary is among the weakest position groups heading into the 2021 NFL Draft after the team let go of its top four safeties in free agency.

By Ben Linsey Apr 1, 2021 6:00 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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