The analytics firm behind the grades
Pro Football Focus, launched in 2006, has grown from a modest data project into one of the most visible analytics platforms covering the NFL.
The service grades every player on each snap, using a contribution‑to‑production model that attempts to isolate on‑field impact from surrounding circumstances.
While the numbers appear on television screens during broadcasts, they often arrive without context, leaving fans to wonder what the figures actually mean.
Coaches traditionally rely on film and the eye test, but many have begun to supplement their instincts with PFF data, especially when evaluating linemen.
Critiques and conflicts
The grading system for offensive lines was shaped with the input of Paul Alexander, a longtime Cincinnati Bengals line coach, who helped define how pass‑blocking and run‑stopping metrics are weighted.
Even so, some linemen question whether the algorithm can capture the nuances of their positions, arguing that a single grade cannot reflect the complexity of their assignments.
Former defensive end J.J. Watt has publicly criticized the methodology, saying it fails to convey what actually happens on the field.
Adding to the controversy, Cris Collinsworth, the NBC Sunday Night Football analyst, holds a stake in the company, raising questions about potential editorial bias.
The NFL’s 32 teams treat PFF scores as one of several inputs, but none consider them the sole determinant of roster decisions.
At universities such as Arizona State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Texas and Wake Forest, researchers continue to study the efficacy of advanced metrics in football evaluation.