The Kansas City Chiefs are the current betting favorites to win Super Bowl 56 and enter the season as the top team in PFF's power rankings. Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers trail closely behind but will first be thinking about the Week 4 date with the New England Patriots — a game for the history books.
To help count down the days until the 2021 NFL season, we at PFF have pulled together all of our position rankings, betting projections, single team analysis articles and more, making this your go-to resource for 2021 NFL content.
Be sure to bookmark this page to keep up to date with all the latest PFF content as we head into the preseason, which will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 29.
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PFF RANKINGS & PROJECTIONS
PFF's NFL Power Rankings for the 2021 NFL season
Despite losing in the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs are the clear No. 1 team in PFF's NFL Power Rankings for the 2021 NFL season. Tampa is the second-highest-ranked team but repeats as Super Bowl champions the highest number of times in PFF's AWS-powered simulations. The rankings are based on PFF’s ELO Ratings along with PFF-exclusive player grades for each team. Read more…
Simulating the 2021 NFL Season: Kansas City Chiefs remain the favorites to win Super Bowl 56
Using the PFF Elo rating system, PFF grades and available market data, we can simulate the 2021 season 10,000 times to accurately assign distributions for win totals, divisional title odds and the percentage each team makes the playoffs. We can also look at how often each team makes it to — and wins — Super Bowl 56. Read more…
Market-implied 2021 NFL power rankings
With the offseason in full swing and PFF's regular series of win totals and power rankings articles in print, we wanted to look at the state of the NFL using the game-by-game betting markets, which were released recently by the Westgate SuperBook. Using a Massey matrix-based approach, we can derive an offensive and defensive rating for each team, which when added together give rise to a point spread that would theoretically be the spread in a game versus an average team on a neutral field. Last year’s version of these ratings can be found here. Read more…
Projecting starting lineups for all 32 NFL teams following the 2021 NFL Draft
We are still in the early stages of the post-draft NFL landscape, and plenty will change leading up to the 2021 NFL season. However, depth charts are now starting to take form, with the major offseason events in the rearview mirror. That allows us to start looking forward to potential starting lineups for the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
2021 NFL win totals tracker
Here, you will find the latest win totals and odds, updated break-even percentages, PFF projected totals, PFF simulation results and information on PFF's favorite NFL bets. The Kansas City Chiefs currently lead the way with 12 wins, closely followed by the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 11.5. The Houston Texans (4.5 wins) and Detroit Lions (5) trail the rest of the NFL and will be hoping for a miracle in the 2021 NFL Draft to turn their fortunes around. Read more…
PFF Quarterback Rankings: All 32 starters ahead of the 2021 NFL season
PFF’s quarterback rankings are based on grading every player on every play and tapping into multiple years of data to project future performance. We go beyond just last season’s performances, and the grading works to isolate each quarterback’s performance from that of his supporting cast, making for more effective projections. Read more…
Running Back Rankings: The 32 best RBs entering the 2021 NFL season
The bulk of the 2021 NFL offseason is now in the books, closing the door on the greatest opportunity for NFL teams to overhaul their rosters. Free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft have seen some major players change teams or enter the NFL, so let’s look at the league-wide situation when it comes to running backs. Read more…
Wide Receiver Rankings: The 32 best WRs entering the 2021 NFL season
Without further ado, let’s dive into our top 32 wide receivers ahead of the 2021 NFL season. And while there are no rookies, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see multiple first-year players crack this list by the end of the year, considering it was one of the most talented classes since we began evaluating college football. And don't sleep on second-year breakouts from talented 2020 prospects such as Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk, among others. Read more…
Treash: Ranking the NFL’s best deep threats right now
While Kansas City Chiefs star Tyreek Hill isn't the best deep threat of all time just yet, he tops this list as he continues on an unprecedented pace. Read more…
Ranking the NFL’s top 10 pass-catching tandems ahead of the 2021 season
The dynamic duo of tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill tops the list of best pass-catching tandems heading into 2021. Read more…
Tight End Rankings: The 32 best TEs entering the 2021 NFL season
There is not an abundance of true difference-makers at the tight end position in the NFL. The league is lacking players who can consistently win as receivers, regardless of alignment, while still forcing defenses to respect them inline as blockers. That skill set is what gives the small upper tier at the tight end position its value. Read more…
Offensive Tackle Rankings: The 32 best OTs entering the 2021 NFL season
Continuing our series of 2021 NFL position rankings, we turn our attention to the trenches and evaluate the current crop of offensive tackles. With the help of PFF's advanced database — which is used by all 32 NFL teams — we can easily evaluate the big men trying to protect their quarterbacks and open lanes in the run game. Read more…
Offensive Guard Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
The glory positions have taken center stage in PFF's position rankings up to this point, but now it’s time to turn our attention to the trenches and throw some praise in the direction of some of the most underappreciated players in the NFL — offensive guards. Read more…
Center Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
The market for the center position isn’t on par with that for elite tackles, or even guards, but it is an important offensive position due to the quick decisions and calls they’re tasked with making pre- and post-snap. That's why the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers so heavily pushed to improve at the position this offseason. Read more…
Edge Defender Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
While responsibilities vary between a base 4-3 defensive end and a 3-4 outside linebacker, their roles are more aligned than that of a 3-4 outside linebacker and most 4-3 outside linebackers. So, both 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers get labeled together as edge defenders. Using PFF’s play-by-play grading and advanced metrics such as pressure totals and run-stop percentage that can be found in Premium Stats 2.0, here are the top 32 edge defenders in the NFL heading into the 2021 season. Read more…
Interior Defender Rankings: The 32 best DIs entering the 2021 NFL season
The title of best interior defender in the NFL isn't a competition. Aaron Donald has locked up that spot for the past five years. The other 31 slots feature plenty of interesting names, though. The position, ranging from nose tackles to base 3-4 defensive ends, has a nice mix of established veterans and ascending young talent. Read more…
Linebacker Rankings: The 32 best LBs entering the 2021 NFL season
Few positions in the NFL have suffered more in recent years than linebacker, the focal point of a lot of the evolution within pro offenses. As offenses have become more efficient and accomplished at generating mismatches and exploiting them, linebackers have become players caught between a rock and a hard place on many plays, often leaving them with little chance for success. Read more…
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. Read more…
Cornerback Rankings: The 32 best outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander tops PFF's outside cornerback ranking ahead of the 2021 NFL season, with Los Angeles Rams superstar Jalen Ramsey trailing closely behind. Read more…
Safety Rankings: The 32 best safeties entering the 2021 NFL season
Often forgotten men of the team, safeties can make a major difference to the quality of a defense and a secondary. And while some positions in the league are extremely thin, highlighted by just a few stars but lacking any real quality beyond that, the safety position seems to be in excellent health. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL running back units ahead of the 2021 season
Depth matters at the running back position because of the injury risk and the need for different skill sets on rushing and passing downs. However, one high-end running back can almost single-handedly carry a unit. That shows up on this list with teams such as the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers, who appear in the top 10 despite a lack of proven depth behind Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, respectively. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL receiving corps ahead of the 2021 season
When ranking pass-catchers, there’s a balance between identifying teams with elite No. 1 options and those groups that run three or four deep. In today’s NFL, the top teams have several passing-game options, and they’re able to keep defenses off balance with a variety of different playmakers. It's that kind of depth that earns favorable consideration in PFF's receiving corps rankings. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL offensive line units ahead of the 2021 season
While star power has an impact, the best offensive lines have depth across the starting five and often with their backups, so those teams will be ranked higher. Of course, finding five strong starters is a challenge, and even some of the better offensive lines will enter the season with question marks. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL defensive line units ahead of the 2021 season
While we at PFF have made the argument that coverage is more valuable than pass rush, elite pass rushers are more reliable from year to year than elite coverage defenders. The defensive line is at the center of both the pass-rushing unit and the run-defense unit. As a result, it’s difficult to field a great defense with a below-average defensive line. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL linebacker units ahead of the 2021 season
The combination of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw propels the San Francisco 49ers into the top spot in PFF's linebacker rankings, one of the few teams to have multiple players featured in PFF's ranking of the top 32 linebackers entering 2021. Read more…
Ranking all 32 NFL secondaries ahead of the 2021 season
From cornerbacks Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller, Patrick Surtain II and Ronald Darby to safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, the Denver Broncos' secondary features more talent than any other such group in the NFL. Read more…
Ranking the NFL's best head coaches ahead of the 2021 season
Andy Reid maintains his spot atop the list of the NFL's best head coaches despite his Kansas City Chiefs falling short in Super Bowl 55. Read more…
Ranking the NFL's best offensive play callers ahead of the 2021 season
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur comes in at No. 1 in PFF's offensive play caller rankings after leading the most efficient team in terms of turning cap dollars into wins above replacement. Read more…
Ranking the NFL's best defensive play callers ahead of the 2021 season
New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was a defensive mastermind in 2020, leading to his ranking atop the defensive play caller list heading into 2021. Read more…
Ranking the top 25 players under 25 entering the 2021 NFL season: Josh Allen, A.J. Brown and more
San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner and Nick Bosa both land in the top five of PFF's top 25 players under 25 entering the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Best and worst NFL contracts for every AFC team: Stefon Diggs, Carson Wentz, Patrick Mahomes and more
Carson Wentz's contract lands at the bottom of the barrel for the Indianapolis Colts, while Patrick Mahomes' mega-deal is the Kansas City Chiefs' best contract. Read more…
Defensive scheme analysis for all 32 NFL teams
Every NFL team has a defensive identity, often a combination of philosophies from past and present coaches. Here's how each of the 32 squads projects to stop offenses in 2021. Read more…
Best and worst NFL contracts for every NFC team: Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady, Davante Adams and more
Jimmy Garoppolo's contract stands out as a loss for the San Francisco 49ers, while Tom Brady's deal is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' best contract. Read more…
Press Conference Roundup: One notable quote from each NFL team's OTA and mandatory minicamp media sessions
One notable quote from each team’s press conferences during 2021 OTAs, from Arizona Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury's expectations for QB Kyler Murray to DeMeco Ryans' intent to play off the San Francisco 49ers' defensive line. Read more…
Ranking the top 32 NFL contracts
Ranking the 32 best contracts in the NFL, from Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs to Arizona Cardinals edge defender Markus Golden. Read more…
Eight third-year breakout players ahead of the 2021 NFL season
Examining eight third-year NFL players who have shown signs that a breakout could be on the horizon for the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Best value NFL draft picks for all 32 teams since 2006: Dak Prescott, Tyreek Hill, George Kittle and more
For every Mitchell Trubisky, there's a Russell Wilson, a player who enters the league as a relative unknown but exceeds his draft pedigree and cements himself as one of the league's best. Here is a look at every NFL team's best value pick since 2006. Read more…
PFF50: 13 players who just missed the cut
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson headline the arguable snubs from PFF's list of the 50 best players in the NFL entering the 2021 season. Read more…
PFF50: The 50 best players in the NFL right now
PFF ranks the top 50 players in the league heading into the 2021 NFL season. Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald takes to the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, while Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce follow closely behind. Read more…
CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and more second-year breakout candidates
With quarterback Dak Prescott back to full strength for 2021, second-year wideout CeeDee Lamb could be in for a big season. Read more…
Five NFL teams with an Achilles' heel that could derail their 2021 season
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams and cornerback Jaire Alexander all showed out for the Green Bay Packers in 2020, but that could signal regression for 2021. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Coverage scheme uniqueness for each team and what that means for coaching changes
PFF introduces coverage scheme uniqueness, a new statistic to measure the innovation brought by each NFL defensive playcaller. Read more…
Jaire Alexander, Corey Davis and more regression candidates for the 2021 NFL season
Jaire Alexander, Corey Davis and Wyatt Teller fall on PFF's list of regression candidates for the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
NFL roster rankings for all 32 teams for 2021: Strengths, weaknesses and X factors for every team's 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. Read more…
Worst NFL draft pick for all 32 teams since 2006: Mitchell Trubisky, Dwayne Haskins, Josh Rosen and more
For every Russell Wilson, there's a Mitchell Trubisky, a player who vastly underperforms his draft pedigree and leaves teams looking back with regret. Here is a look at every NFL team's worst-value draft pick since 2006. Read more…
Best- and worst-case scenarios for every AFC team ahead of the 2021 NFL season
With the help of a large number of simulations of the 2021 season, PFF can attempt to capture some of that variance by highlighting best- and worst-case scenarios for all 16 AFC teams. Read more…
Measuring Quarterback Resilience: How each NFL quarterback performs after getting hit
In a testament to the resilience of NFL quarterbacks, not only do they still perform at a high level after being hit, but their time to throw usually stays the same, showing a fearless streak that can now be quantified using PFF data. Read more…
Best- and worst-case scenarios for every NFC team ahead of the 2021 NFL season
With the help of a large number of simulations of the 2021 season, PFF can attempt to capture some of that variance by highlighting best- and worst-case scenarios for all 16 NFC teams. Read more…
Wide receivers primed for bigger roles in 2021: Deebo Samuel, Allen Lazard, Antonio Brown and more
San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel joins Super Bowl 55 champion Antonio Brown on PFF's list of wide receivers who appear set for bigger roles in 2021. Read more…
Three players to build around for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2021 season
Younger players, such as Josh Allen, Tristan Wirfs and A.J. Brown, reign supreme when building a core for each of the 32 NFL teams to construct a roster around ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Potential first-time All-Pro selections at each position entering the 2021 NFL season
The players on this list are already regarded as some of the NFL's best, but none have earned a coveted spot on an All-Pro team. Read more…
Monson: Five best NFL players to start a new franchise with in 2021
Examining which NFL players would top a wishlist of any new NFL franchise in 2021, from superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a game-changing defender like Jalen Ramsey. Read more…
Tantillo: Superlatives for NFL running backs ahead of the 2021 season
From the veteran Dalvin Cook to the up-and-coming Antonio Gibson, the NFL's current crop of elite running backs excels in multiple facets. Read more…
Three 2021 NFL training camp battles to watch for every NFC team
Rookies Justin Fields and Trey Lance will attempt to unseat veterans at quarterback with the Bears and 49ers, respectively, while quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will battle for a starting spot in New Orleans. Read more…
Three 2021 NFL training camp battles to watch for every AFC team
Will Mac Jones will be able to beat out Cam Newton at quarterback in New England, and how will the wide receiver depth chart shake out for the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North? Read more…
Ranking the NFL's second-year breakout candidates: 15 players who could become stars
NFL rookies last year endured an unprecedented rookie campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, and they'll now have a full offseason under their belts heading into the 2021 season. Read more…
Monson: Offseason interceptions are a good thing for Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa underwhelmed last season compared to the rest of the NFL rookie class, but don't take his reported offseason struggles as a sign that he won't improve in 2021. Read more…
Ideal landing spots and trade value for Cardinals veteran edge defender Chandler Jones
Ideal landing spots and trade value for Chandler Jones now that he's officially requesting a trade from the Arizona Cardinals. Read more…
Offensive Tackle Rankings: The 32 best OTs entering the 2021 NFL season
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL tacle rankings. Read more…
Offensive Guard Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL offensive guard rankings. Read more…
Center Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
Arizona Cardinals center Rodney Hudson comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL center rankings. Read more…
Edge Defender Rankings: The 32 best players entering the 2021 NFL season
Chicago Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL edge defender rankings, while Denver's Von Miller falls out of the top 10. Read more…
Interior Defender Rankings: The 32 best DIs entering the 2021 NFL season
Los Angeles Rams interior defender Aaron Donald comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL interior defender rankings. Read more…
PFF Quarterback Rankings: All 32 starters ahead of the 2021 NFL season
PFF analyst and former NFL QB Bruce Gradkowski unveils his 32-team NFL QB rankings for the 2021 NFL season. Patrick Mahomes leads the pack, with Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers following closely behind. Read more…
The 2021 NFL preseason is almost here, and talent is everywhere around the league. Here is PFF's prediction on the 2021 MVP Award, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and more. Read more…
Wide Receiver Rankings: The 32 best WRs entering the 2021 NFL season
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL wide receiver rankings. Read more…
Running Back Rankings: The 32 best RBs entering the 2021 NFL season
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL running back rankings. Read more…
Tight End Rankings: The 32 best TEs entering the 2021 NFL season
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL tight end rankings. Read more…
PFF's Wins Over Expected Coaching: John Harbaugh, Andy Reid and Brian Flores among the league's top head coaches
PFF's Wins Over Expected Coaching metric can be used to see how effective an NFL head coach is with their team. Here are the most effective coaches in the league as we look forward to the 2021 season. Read more…
Safety Rankings: The 32 best safeties entering the 2021 NFL season
Denver Broncos' Justin Simmons leads the way in PFF's offseason safety rankings, with Minnesota's Harrison Smith and Cleveland's John Johnson III following closely behind. Read more…
Cornerback Rankings: The 32 best outside cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander tops PFF's outside cornerback ranking ahead of the 2021 NFL season, with Los Angeles Rams superstar Jalen Ramsey trailing closely behind. Read more…
Linebacker Rankings: The 32 best LBs entering the 2021 NFL season
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner comes in at No. 1 in PFF's 2021 NFL linebacker rankings. Read more…
Projecting 2021 starting lineups for all 32 NFL teams
NFL starting lineups are beginning to take shape for the 2021 season, and with training camp on the horizon, those roles are set to shake out sooner rather than later. Read more…
PFF's NFL Power Rankings for the 2021 NFL season
The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead PFF's NFL Power Rankings ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Offensive line rankings entering the 2021 NFL season
What was once a major pain point for the win-hungry Cleveland Browns is now a clear strength, with their offensive line topping the rankings heading into the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Backfield rankings entering the 2021 NFL season
From the Cleveland Browns at the top to the New York Jets at the bottom, here is how each NFL team stacks up at the running back position entering the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
NFL receiving corps rankings ahead of the 2021 season
The NFL's top teams have several passing-game options, and they’re able to keep defenses off balance with a variety of different playmakers. Here are the best pass-catching units in the NFL heading into 2021, headlined by the Buccaneers at No. 1. Read more…
Linebacker corps rankings entering the 2021 NFL season
Few teams feature one solid linebacker, let alone two, making the San Francisco 49ers more than deserving of the No. 1 spot heading into the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Defensive line rankings entering the 2021 NFL season
Despite losing Bud Dupree in free agency this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive front is loaded with talent, pushing the unit into the No. 1 ranking ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Secondary rankings entering the 2021 NFL season
From cornerbacks Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller, Patrick Surtain II and Ronald Darby to safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, the Denver Broncos' secondary features more talent than any other such group in the NFL. Read more…
SINGLE TEAM FEATURE ARTICLES
The unlikely case that Drew Lock can actually be the answer in Denver
PFF's Sam Monson explores whether it's feasible for Drew Lock to embark on a Josh Allen-esque turnaround in his young NFL career. Read more…
Giants' Daniel Jones needs to take more risks, create explosive plays to succeed in 2021
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterback Daniel Jones have to work together to manufacture more deep shots in 2021 if the Giants are to make a playoff push. Read more…
Cleveland is the biggest threat to Kansas City in the AFC
Defense was the Browns' clear weak point in 2020, but the team attacked the unit in the 2021 NFL Draft and free agency. Read more…
By doubling down at WR in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens changed how opponents might have to defend them
Baltimore drafted Minnesota's Rashod Bateman in the first round and Oklahoma State's Tylan Wallace in the fourth round, bolstering a lackluster part of the team's offense. Read more…
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. Read more…
What can new Jaguars coach Urban Meyer create with RB/WR Travis Etienne?
The Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly plan to use first-round running back Travis Etienne as a true hybrid player, opening up the offense to employ creative alignments. Read more…
The Indianapolis Colts are already letting down Carson Wentz
The Colts traded for Carson Wentz this offseason but have yet to show a true commitment to building around him for the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Monson: Examining potential trade destinations for Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones
PFF's Sam Monson breaks down the most likely trade destinations for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, including the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots. Read more…
Monson: Trey Lance will cruise to OROY honors if the San Francisco 49ers start him from Day 1
Trey Lance's tape just doesn’t show the kind of problematic trait that should keep him off the field. And so, even with Jimmy Garoppolo waiting in the wings, the 49ers should install Lance as their Day 1 starter and watch him cruise his way to Rookie of the Year honors within this offense. Read more…
Justin Herbert is poised to regress in 2021, but the Los Angeles Chargers will be better anyway
You have to say it in a hushed tone, but Justin Herbert is likely to take a step back in 2021. Nobody wants to hear it. We expect young players to just get better and better on a linear line to the moon as they develop and gain NFL experience, but it rarely happens like that. For evidence, look no further than Carson Wentz, who hit the ground running as a rookie, looked like an MVP in Year 2 and was unceremoniously dumped by his team only a few years later. Read more…
Robert Saleh is making the defensive line a priority again with the New York Jets
Optimism will bubble to the surface any time an NFL franchise drafts a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Zach Wilson represents a blank slate for the New York Jets — an opportunity to make up for the disappointment that defined Sam Darnold’s tenure with the team. The optimism in New York is about more than just the addition of Wilson, though. Read more…
Kyler Murray, entering pivotal Year 3, needs to take next step along with Cardinals' offense
Quarterback Kyler Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury are the keys to the Arizona Cardinals' success, and each has reached the point of needing to make adjustments to take that next step forward. Read more…
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 reworked offensive line to turn the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense around in 2021. Read more…
Eager: The definitive guide to why people are fading the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021
The Steelers’ finish, coupled with the loss of starters Dupree, Mike Hilton, Matt Feiler, Alejandro Villanueva and James Conner, followed by a draft in which they spent their first two picks on a running back and a middling tight end, has many down on a team that is coming off a 12-4 season and a division title. Our simulation, which uses a combination of our grades, power ratings and market-implied data, has the Steelers repeating for the division title just 10% of the time, making the playoffs just 27% of the time and winning an average of 7.6 games. Read more…
Cincinnati Bengals will return to the playoffs if QB Joe Burrow can fine-tune the deep passing game
Are the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow doomed to a life of 6-yard gains for the rest of eternity? One could certainly start to fall for that assumption after just one year of the Burrow era, as the Bengals failed miserably when it came to creating explosive passing plays in 2020. But not so fast, my friend. Read more…
The scene is set for Patrick Peterson to roll back the years in Mike Zimmer's defense
The Arizona Cardinals‘ decision to move on from one of their greatest ever players makes sense, but can Peterson enjoy a late-career resurgence within the Minnesota Vikings defense under Mike Zimmer? Zimmer has a history of getting quality play out of proven veterans late into their careers. For a time, it seemed as if Terence Newman would go on forever and still play well after he produced an overall PFF grade of 83.0 back in 2017 when he was approaching 40 years of age. Read more…
The Carolina Panthers offensive line is in danger of derailing the Sam Darnold reclamation project
If Sam Darnold is to prove that he was just a victim of circumstance in New York, he is going to need the Panthers' offensive line to be better than one of the worst in the NFL, and right now it’s difficult to see how it will be. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Justin Fields was the most accurate quarterback in the PFF College era
Many praised the Chicago Bears for trading up to select Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft, and rightfully so. After displaying innate accuracy at Ohio State, Fields could become the best quarterback in Chicago Bears history. Read more…
Atlanta Falcons' Calvin Ridley-Kyle Pitts tandem can exceed expectations in 2021 with no Julio Jones
The Atlanta Falcons traded star wideout Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans, leaving a Hall of Fame-sized void to fill. But Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts appear primed to take on the challenge. Read more…
An ode to Ryan Fitzpatrick: A masterclass in maximizing one's strengths while accepting the weaknesses
Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will lead the Washington Football Team in 2021, his ninth NFL team, and continue a winding career that has been anything but predictable. Read more…
Teddy Bridgewater vs. Drew Lock: Inside the quarterback competition that will shape the Denver Broncos' 2021 season
Teddy Bridgewater probably won't come in and light the world on fire, but he does give the Denver Broncos the best shot at maximizing what could be one of the best rosters in the league. Read more…
PFF Data Study: NFL offenses are getting smarter about situational aggressiveness
NFL teams have begun to better understand when to take more risks based on down, distance and field position over the past 15 seasons. Read more…
Monson: WR Henry Ruggs III can provide a spark for the Las Vegas Raiders offense in Year 2
Year 1 was ugly, but Henry Ruggs III can still be a big-time threat for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Read more…
Monson: Why Daniel Jones is suddenly underrated
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones quietly played some very good football last season and enters the 2021 NFL season as an underrated quarterback with a chance to take the next step. Read more…
PFF NFL Podcast: Andrew Whitworth thinks Matthew Stafford can raise the level of the Los Angeles Rams' offense with experience
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth stops by the PFF NFL Podcast to discuss Matthew Stafford's potential to elevate the team's offense during the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Linsey: Washington's Jonathan Allen has developed into one of the NFL's best interior pass-rushers
Washington's Jonathan Allen was the highest-graded pass-rusher on Washington’s defense last season and ranked among the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL in 2020. Read more…
Monson: Browns' Myles Garrett will be a favorite for 2021 Defensive Player of the Year Award if he can stay healthy for a full season
If 2021 is the year he joins all of the dots over a 17-game schedule, Myles Garrett is one of the few players with the potential to take the Defensive Player of the Year honors away from Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. Read more…
Linsey: A healthy Dallas Cowboys offense will take the NFL by storm in 2021
Entering the 2021 NFL season, there is no reason that the Dallas Cowboys can’t contend for the title of league’s best offense with better luck in the injury department. Read more…
Patrick Mahomes' accuracy is only getting better
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wasn’t the most accurate passer in college or early in his NFL career, but he has improved every season while maintaining elite efficiency and the rest of his special traits. Read more…
Monson: Last season was a letdown, but could Teddy Bridgewater be viable for Denver in 2021?
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater isn’t as bad as he looked last season and could be the type of facilitator the team's loaded offense needs to take the next step in 2021. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Time Since Pressure and the Simpson’s paradox of evasive quarterbacks
Using a new metric called Time Since Pressure, we can measure how a quarterback performs when a play breaks down due to pass rushers. Read more…
Monson: Are the Detroit Lions secret geniuses for building from the trenches first?
In drafting offensive and defensive linemen with their first three picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions appear to be building from the inside out — an old-school strategy that might just pay off. Read more…
Miami Dolphins’ Xavien Howard trade value and potential landing spots
Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard is reportedly unhappy with his contract, and a trade is now on the table for the 2020 All-Pro. Read more…
Linsey: The Los Angeles Rams' offense is built to chase explosive plays again in 2021
Matthew Stafford is the new man at the helm of a Los Angeles Rams offense looking to get back to its explosive ways of the past. Read more…
Monson: Is Aaron Donald the GOAT?
Aaron Donald is the best NFL player of his generation, but is he also the best of all time? Read more…
PFF Data Study: Quantifying the effect of NFL draft position on future salary
NFL teams expectedly tend to overvalue players who were drafted early compared to those selected in the later rounds, subsequently doling out more money and trading away more resources to acquire or retain their services. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Introducing Personnel-Adjusted Yards Per Route
Personnel-adjusted yards per route accounts for a player's deviation from expected YPRR and could be a more accurate way to predict which NFL players will boom or bust. Read more…
Monson: The case for the Saints to start Taysom Hill over Jameis Winston
Breaking down why the New Orleans Saints should start Taysom Hill over Jameis Winston at quarterback in 2021. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Yards after the catch figures largely determined by factors before the catch
Yards after the catch is determined by a variety of factors — not just what the receiver does with the ball in their hands. Now-Carolina Panthers wideout Robby Anderson is one example of a player who saw an uptick in YAC after switching environments. Read more…
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense needs to move further away from its roots to thrive in the NFL
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is at a crossroads and needs to continue to adapt his offense in order to take the next step during the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
Monson: Are there ANY signs that Tom Brady is declining?
Tom Brady's first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw much glitz and glamor with little to no decline under the tutelage of Bruce Arians. As Brady heads into another season in Tampa's vertical passing offense, Brady's race against time will carry on with no imminent reality in sight. Read more…
Lee: Why don't we see more dime defense in the NFL?
Three of the top five NFL teams in early-down dime usage ranked in the top half in passer rating and yards per attempt allowed last season, giving weight to the personnel's effectiveness as a tool to combat the modern offense. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Breaking down WAIL and the most impactful injuries in the NFL last season
Injuries to quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Joe Burrow proved to be the most damaging in terms of War-Adjusted Injuries Lost. Read more…
2021 NFL training camp battles: Justin Fields vs. Andy Dalton and the Patrick Mahomes blueprint
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy made headlines when he named Andy Dalton the starting quarterback ahead of OTAs, but will this strategy work out for rookie Justin Fields? Read more…
Why Seahawks' Jamal Adams and Saints' Michael Thomas are suddenly underrated superstars
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams are often referred to as “Slant Boy” and “Blitz Boy,” respectively, on social media, but each brings far more to the table than what those monikers suggest. Read more…
How the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are primed for another Super Bowl run with Tom Brady at the helm
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked primed to run it back in 2021. Tom Brady has a year of the Bruce Arians System under his belt, the offensive line is among the best in the league and the receiving corps is a force that few NFL defenses can match. Read more…
Davante Adams wants to be NFL's highest-paid WR, and there are a number of ways Brian Gutekunst could make it happen
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams believes he’s earned the right to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. And there's a number of ways Brian Gutekunst & Co. could make that a reality. Read more…
Linsey: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving corps has a chance to be the best of the PFF era
A front office can rarely field three top-25 wide receivers with three starting-caliber tight ends. It’s even rarer to have quality depth behind those players. And that's why the 2021 Buccaneers have a shot at being the best receiving corps of the PFF era. Read more…
Lee: How the best offenses in the NFL are generating explosive plays
The NFL's best teams overall are also the best at creating explosive plays, as expected. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were among the top squads to do so last season. Read more…
PFF Data Study: Derwin James, the NFL's ultimate chess piece
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James has missed extensive time due to injuries over the past two NFL seasons, but his versatility and impact remain undeniable. Read more…
The Russell Wilson Dilemma: Should the Seattle Seahawks get creative with his inefficient playstyle, or is it what makes him great?
The idea of just increasing Wilson’s passing volume relative to run plays is one thing, but the Seattle Seahawks also have a very complex problem on their hands in terms of exactly how to harness Wilson’s style to the best effect. Read more…
What do the Indianapolis Colts have in Jacob Eason?
It’s time to find out what the Indianapolis Colts have in Jacob Eason with starting quarterback Carson Wentz expected to miss 5-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery to excise a bone from his foot. Read more…
Carson Wentz out for 5-12 weeks: Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garoppolo stand out as options for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is reportedly out for 5-12 weeks as he undergoes surgery for a lingering foot injury. Read more…
Washington Football Team rookies impress during first day of NFL training camp in pads
Washington Football Team's top draft picks Jamin Davis, Samuel Cosmi and Dyami Brown are catching on quickly during training camp this summer and could assume key roles during the 2021 NFL season. Read more…
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