Rankings of the NFL’s highest-rated run blockers and defenders in Week 5

• Teair Tart dominated against the commanders: The NFL’s top-rated interior defender forced a fumble and added two more stops on the ground.

• Andrew Thomas is back: The Giants tackle finished Week 5 with a PFF run-blocking grade of 91.8, his best since 2023.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

At PFF, the run game is just as important as the passing game, and every play is carefully reviewed. Each week we take a look at the top-rated run blockers and run defenders from each position.

OFFENCE

Tackle: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants – 91.8

Andrew Thomas is healthy again and he is dominating again. Thomas’ PFF run-blocking grade of 91.8 was the highest for any Giants offensive lineman this season and his highest since 2023. The fact that Thomas is healthy could be a huge boost for a young Giants offense. In 2022, his final season with at least 600 snaps, Thomas was the NFL’s third-highest rated tackle.

Honorable mention: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions – 89.8

Guard: Dylan Parham, Las Vegas Raiders – 92.1

Dylan Parham had a big performance for the Las Vegas Raiders running back on Sunday. Patham’s run-blocking grade of 92.1 was the highest among all offensive linemen in Week 5. Despite losing the snap, both of the Raiders’ guards finished with a run-blocking grade above 90.0, paving the way for rookie Ashton Jeanty. It took a while for the Raiders’ ground game to get going, but they’ve started to see some success in recent weeks.

Honorable Mention: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders – 90.6

Middle: Creed Humphrey, Kansas Town leaders – 82.1

These are back-to-back weeks where Creed Humphrey has been the highest-rated run-blocking center. After finishing with the second-highest run-blocking grade among all centers last season, Humphrey has worked his way back into the top three this season with his run-blocking grade of 79.8.

Honorable Mention: Lloyd Cushenberry III, Tennessee Titans – 77.5

DEFENSE

Linebacker: Marist Limit, Dallas Cowboys – 91.0

Marist Liufau’s run-defense grade of 91.0 PFF was not only the highest in Week 5, but it was also the best run-defense grade of his career. Liufau’s photos may have been few, but he made them count. He had a huge forced fumble and added another run stop to help the Cowboys to the victory.

Honorable mention: Nick Bolton, Kansas Town leaders – 90.9

Edge defender: Isaiah McGuire, Cleveland Browns – 91.1

Both Cleveland edge rushers topped the list for highest-rated run defenders in Week 5, but it was Isaiah McGuire who narrowly trailed his teammate, Alex Wright. McGuire finished the game with two run stops and a forced fumble. His run-defense grade of 91.1 was the highest of his season and the third highest of his career.

Honorable Mention: Alex Wright, Cleveland Browns – 89.1

Defensive Tackle: Teair Tart, Los Angeles Chargers – 94.9

Teair Tart finished Week 5 as the highest-rated run defenseman of all positions. His PFF run defense grade of 94.9 was the highest by any defensive lineman this season. Tart ended the game with a forced fumble and added two more defensive stops. Tart continued his strong year and his 2025 run-defense grade of 91.4 is the second-highest among all interior defensive linemen.

Honorable Mention: Zach Carter, Arizona Cardinals – 94.0