Highest-graded players at every position ahead of Week 5

• De'Von Achane leads all running backs: The 84th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has taken the crown with two straight games of 90.0-plus rushing grades.

• Roquan Smith continues to thrive under DC Mike Macdonald: Smith has allowed only 65 yards in coverage this year and tallied 15 run stops.

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Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season is here. Let’s look at the highest-graded player at every position.

QUARTERBACK

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins – 88.3

Despite his Week 4 performance against the Bills in which he posted a 59.3 PFF grade, Tagovailoa holds on to the top spot.

He is putting up unspeakable numbers with the third-quickest time to throw (2.34) and the eighth-highest big-time throw rate (5.6%). The Bills slowed down Miami’s offense last week, causing two turnover-worthy plays to match Tagovailoa's previous three-game total.

RUNNING BACK

De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins – 93.5

Heading into Week 3, it was the eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bijan Robinson, who owned the highest grade among running backs. Now, it's the 84th pick in the same draft who has taken the crown with two straight games of 90.0-plus rushing grades.

Achane is tied for 10th among running backs with seven rushes of 10-plus yards despite carrying the ball only 27 times. There’s no shortage of speed in the Miami Dolphins‘ offense this year, with Achane clocking a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine.

WIDE RECEIVER

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers – 93.5

Aiyuk is still rolling after missing Week 3 with an injury, putting up a 93.4 PFF grade in Week 4.

He ranks second in the league with 4.57 yards per route run, which is more than half a yard better than third place, Tyreek Hill.

TIGHT END

Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings – 89.5

Oliver has been targeted only eight times this season but has made the most of it with an 80.3 receiving grade. On top of that, Oliver holds the second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends (83.7).

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers – 88.8

We now have two Miami Dolphins and two San Francisco 49ers on this list.

Williams has consistently been one of the best offensive tackles in football during his career. Despite his being the highest-graded tackle in the NFL right now, if the season were to end today, 2023 would be only the sixth-highest-graded campaign of his career. Williams is a true first-ballot Hall of Famer.

OFFENSIVE GUARD

Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys – 93.1

Smith’s first two games of the season, after he missed the first two weeks with an injury, were completely dominant.

He pitched two shutouts, allowing zero pressures, and added a 92.7 run-blocking grade. Smith is following up his impressive rookie year (73.3) with a strong start to his 2023 campaign.

Center

Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts – 82.8

Kelly hasn’t played since leaving Week 2 with an injury, but he played well enough in those games to remain the highest-graded center.

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles – 92.2

Carter has been every bit as advertised throughout the 2023 draft process.

He is regularly beating offensive linemen quickly. He has the second-most pressures among interior defenders (20) and is dominating the run game with a 75.6 run-defense grade. Carter looks like he will be a staple of the Eagles' front for years to come.

EDGE DEFENDER

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers – 93.8

The younger of the Bosa brothers is coming off a record-breaking contract extension, and he’s certainly earning that money.

Not only is Nick Bosa consistently one of the best pass-rushers in the league, but he also regularly grades out as a top run defender, earning a sub-79.0 run-defense grade only once in his five-year career.

LINEBACKER

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens – 89.4

Smith has thrived under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald throughout his time in Baltimore.

Smith has allowed only 65 yards in coverage this year and tallied 15 run stops. The Baltimore Ravens have the third-highest-graded defense, and it’s Smith with the highest individual grade among that unit.

CORNERBACK

Isaac Yiadom, New Orleans Saints – 88.6

Yiadom burst onto the scene in Weeks 3 and 4 after combining for four snaps in the contests before that.

Yiadom has never played more than 635 snaps in any of his six NFL seasons. In two games this year, he has tied his career high for pass breakups, with five. Yiadom has thrived in place of the injured Paulson Adebo and has shown the Saints that they have depth at cornerback.

SAFETY

Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons – 92.0

Bates’ career in Atlanta remains off to a hot start despite his 58.7 game grade in Week 3.

The former Cincinnati Bengal has allowed just five receptions across 11 targets this year. He leads all safeties with three interceptions and completes his overall grade with a 90.8 run-defense mark.