Scouting and grading linebackers at college or even in the NFL can be tricky at times. Yes, your eyes immediately glance at tackles, and the higher the number, the better they are, right? That may not always be the case, as they can crash toward the ball, but how are they in coverage? Several factors go into ranking linebackers, and PFF gave it a shot recently.
Bradley Locker of PFF recently ranked the top 32 linebackers in the NFL and named Minnesota's Blake Cashman number 25, just ahead of Nate Landman of the Rams, and just behind Ernest Jones of Seattle:
Whether in Houston or Minnesota, Cashman has generally performed at a strong level; since 2023, he slots 11th in overall PFF grade at the position (77.3). Yet it’s worrisome that his grades have fallen in each of the past two seasons, including to a 63.6 in 2025. Cashman had particular troubles in coverage, where his 12.3 yards per reception was the fifth-worst. A lot is on the line for Cashman as he enters a contract year, especially with the Vikings adding multiple linebackers this offseason.
From the outside looking in, it seems as if Cashman might be the odd man out this year. Minnesota invested in the linebacker position this offseason, and with Cashman entering a contract year, he could find himself on the trade block should the new additions perform well.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Where does PFF rank Blake Cashman among NFL linebackers?