Did your quarterback pass the test this past weekend? Was your running back unstoppable across the board on Sunday? Did your tight end make that key block that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet but completely changed the direction of the game?
Welcome to the weekly Pro Football Focus grading room, where we will break down the top five graded players from each skill position after the most recent round of games in the 2025 season.
Here’s who led the EDGE rushers class in week five.
(Must have played had at least 20 snaps to be eligible for the ranking.)
Trey Hendrickson (92.7)
On a Cincinnati Bengals team that needs any positives they can get with the possible season-ending injury to Joe Burrow, Hendrickson remains the titan that keeps their defense above water. On a team known primarily for its offensive talent and explosive plays, Hendrickson is not only the cog that keeps the Cincy defense running, but he is the entire engine that makes it run.
Hendrickson recorded two sacks and was almost unguardable against a previously stout Lions offensive line. If the Bengals have any hopes of making something positive happen with Burrow out, Hendrickson will need to play a Defensive Player of the Year level for the rest of the season.
Aidan Hutchinson (91.7)
Since returning from injury, Hutchinson has been unstoppable as a pass rusher. The No. 1-ranked EDGE in the league after five weeks, the Detroit Lions superstar continued his campaign of havoc against Hendrickson and the Bengals. The Bengals can almost breathe a sigh of relief that a hobbled Burrow wasn’t playing in this game, or Hutchinson would have been all over him from the first snap, pulverizing through the Bengals’ paper-thin offensive line for a meteor shower of sacks.
After missing last season’s playoffs, Hutchinson is the type of player who can change Detroit’s fortunes from an early postseason exit like last year to fighting in San Francisco for the Lombardi come February.
Will Anderson Jr. (90.5)
Anderson Jr. was elite this past weekend despite his limited time, as the Texans blew out the Baltimore Ravens in a laugher. When he was active, though, he bull-rushed through a heavily depleted Ravens roster, winning 57% of his matchups in the trenches and totaling four hits along with four hurry-ups. If the game hadn’t been so out of hand so early, Anderson Jr. could have found himself at the top of the grading board for week five.
Samson Ebukam (84.9)
Ebukam has been a journeyman throughout his career, with some years above average and some forgettable, but he consistently has one game every season where he excels. Thankfully for the Indianapolis Colts, he was a wrecking ball versus the hapless Las Vegas Raiders, getting a sack on Geno Smith and three tackles overall for the day, winning over 50% of his blocking matchups.
Dante Fowler Jr. (84.2)
Similar to Ebukam, Fowler Jr. has gone through a few teams over his career, but has found himself coming up in big moments when called upon. The veteran found his opportunities and pounced on them, only winning 16% of his trench matchups but converting big when he did get through the line. He finished with six tackles, four hits on the quarterback, and a sack when he had the chance to launch into the backline.
Veteran players might not have the explosiveness to win every snap, but the ones still around, like Fowler Jr., know what to do when they get that window to the quarterback.