ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

Jonathan Linton

FB

A 5th-round pick (131st overall) in the 1998 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, Jonathan Linton has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2000 with BUF, a career spanning 3 NFL seasons. Last season's 36.8 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 16th percentile among RBs, below average for the position. His receiving stands out most — the 90th percentile at the position. Across 2 NFL seasons, he has totaled 796 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.

Size

6'1", 234#

College

North Carolina

Draft

Rd 5, 131st overall (1998)

Seasons

1998–2000

1999 ScoutIndex Rating · RB

Methodology
36.8

16th percentile among RBs

16 games · 234 touches

Volume×0.1+1.47
Receiving×0.14+0.48
Total EPA×0.24-1.43
Conversion×0.1+0.33
Ball security×0.06-0.96
Yards/carry×0.12-1.16
Rush EPA/carry×0.24-1.15

1999 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismRushingReceivingImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speedno data▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among RBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burstno data▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine RBs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine RBs (faster = higher).

Size70▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the RB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Rushing

Rush Efficiency10▶

Rushing EPA ÷ carry.

Yards/Carry10▶

Rushing yards ÷ carry.

Conversion74▶

(Rushing first downs + ½ rushing TD) ÷ carry.

Receiving

Receiving90▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target, plus a reception-volume bonus — the same formula behind the Rating's receiving component.

Impact

Ball Security16▶

Fumbles lost ÷ touch (fewer is better).

Volume87▶

Carries + receptions this season.

Efficiency15▶

Total EPA (rushing + receiving) per game.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2000BUF45.49101271
1999BUF36.8166955292281

Career profile

Across 2 NFL seasons on file, Jonathan Linton has played in 25 regular-season games, all with BUF.

He has rushed for 796 yards and 5 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 31 passes for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns. His most productive rushing season was 1999 with BUF: 695 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 1999: a 36.8, in the 16th percentile among RBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

1999 splits

regular season
SplitGRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
Home8
347
43/g
3
15
1.9/g
125
16/g
0
Away8
348
44/g
2
14
1.8/g
103
13/g
1
In division8
291
36/g
3
13
1.6/g
134
17/g
0
Out of division8
404
51/g
2
16
2.0/g
94
12/g
1
In wins11
582
53/g
4
17
1.5/g
141
13/g
1
In losses5
113
23/g
1
12
2.4/g
87
17/g
0
On grass5
281
56/g
2
7
1.4/g
36
7/g
1
On turf11
414
38/g
3
22
2.0/g
192
17/g
0
Indoors2
39
20/g
0
5
2.5/g
53
27/g
0
Outdoors14
656
47/g
5
24
1.7/g
175
13/g
1

1999 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonTEN25 rush yds, 0 TD—
Week 1IND16 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 42 yds, 0 TD54.8
Week 2NYJ44 rush yds, 0 TD56
Week 3PHI57 rush yds, 0 TD · 4 rec, 31 yds, 0 TD52.2
Week 4MIA8 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD32
Week 5PIT45 rush yds, 0 TD · 1 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD70.5
Week 6LV29 rush yds, 0 TD · 5 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD56
Week 7SEA23 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 11 yds, 0 TD35
Week 8BAL56 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 10 yds, 1 TD58.6
Week 9WAS96 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 7 yds, 0 TD37.2
Week 10MIA28 rush yds, 1 TD · 1 rec, 10 yds, 0 TD70.1
Week 11NYJ28 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD25.3
Week 12NE67 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD36.4
Week 14NYG17 rush yds, 1 TD49.3
Week 15ARI81 rush yds, 1 TD65.1
Week 16NE40 rush yds, 1 TD · 1 rec, 4 yds, 0 TD3.6
Week 17IND60 rush yds, 1 TD · 1 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD64.5

Jonathan Linton — common questions

What position does Jonathan Linton play?
Jonathan Linton is listed as an FB.
Which teams has Jonathan Linton played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Jonathan Linton has played for BUF (1999–2000).
Where did Jonathan Linton go to college?
Jonathan Linton played college football at North Carolina.
When was Jonathan Linton drafted?
Jonathan Linton was selected in round 5, 131st overall, of the 1998 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Jonathan Linton scored?
Jonathan Linton has 7 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (5 rushing, 2 receiving).
What is Jonathan Linton's ScoutIndex Rating?
Jonathan Linton rated 45.4 for 2000, the 34th percentile among RBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 5, 1998

Also from North Carolina