NFL pass-rusher rankings ahead of Week 17

  • Abdul Carter remains on a tear: The rookie is now a top-15 pass rusher by PFF pass-rush grade, and his 90.4 mark since Week 13 ranks second best among all players.
  • Will Anderson Jr. has equalized with Aidan Hutchinson in pressures: The Texans star is up to 87 pressures this season, putting him in a tie with the Lions' Hutchinson, who has led the way for most of the campaign.
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We know that quarterback is the most important position on the field, but a great pass rush is the ultimate equalizer. Pressure disrupts timing, rhythm and accuracy, something only the elite quarterbacks can consistently overcome.

Last season, 13 of the top 15 teams in PFF pass-rush grade had a winning record. In 2023, 15 of the top 16 teams in PFF pass-rush grade had a winning record. A dominant pass-rush is undeniably crucial to a team’s success over the course of the season.

Each week, after every NFL game is graded and reviewed, PFF will check in on the top pass rushers of the 2025 season. These rankings will change drastically early in the campaign, as one sack, hit or pressure can significantly alter a player's grade when the sample size is small. But as snap counts rise, the grades will stabilize and we'll get a clearer picture of the league's best pass rushers.

Here are the top 32 pass rushers for the 2025 season after Week 16. For more grades and statistics on the league's best pass-rushers, check out PFF Premium Stats.

RankPlayerTeamPFF Pass-Rush GradePass-Rush Win %PressuresBatted Passes
1Myles GarrettBrowns93.325.8711
2Micah ParsonsPackers92.922.6790
3Will Anderson Jr.Texans91.727.0871
3Aidan HutchinsonLions91.722.1871
5Jeffery SimmonsTitans90.919.3583
6Chris JonesChiefs90.515.8532
7Danielle HunterTexans89.521.3752
8Joey BosaBills88.915.8452
9Maliek CollinsBrowns87.214.0280
10Nick HerbigSteelers85.415.7420
11Jowon BriggsJets85.215.3350
12Dexter LawrenceGiants85.114.2322
13Cameron HeywardSteelers84.815.0485
14Abdul CarterGiants83.014.3540
15Byron YoungRams82.216.2570
16Jared VerseRams81.616.8720
17Kobie TurnerRams81.213.7503
18Alex HighsmithSteelers81.017.1370
19Josh Hines-AllenJaguars80.818.3822
20Vita VeaBuccaneers79.614.0503
21Nik BonittoBroncos78.817.0640
22Jaelan PhillipsEagles78.218.8662
23Bryce Huff49ers77.716.0411
24Byron Murphy IISeahawks77.612.0470
24Jonathan GreenardVikings77.616.6470
26Odafe OwehChargers77.516.3390
27Greg RousseauBills77.316.0512
28Maxx CrosbyRaiders77.114.4534
29Tuli TuipulotuChargers76.512.8692
29George KarlaftisChiefs76.516.7641
31Laiatu LatuColts76.416.2540
32Jalen CarterEagles76.311.5365

Week 16 Highlights

Best Pass Rusher: DJ Reader, Detroit Lions

Reader’s 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade in Week 16 was the highest mark among all players with at least 15 pass-rushing snaps. The former Clemson Tiger generated three pressures and an impressive 23.8% win rate from the interior. It was his highest PFF pass-rush grade in a game since 2023, when he was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.


Most Pressures: Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Greg Rousseau, Buffalo Bills

Diaby and Rousseau each generated 10 pressures in their respective games, tied for the most in the NFL in Week 16. Rousseau filled up the box score with 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits, which were also league-high figures. For Diaby, his 10 pressures topped his previous career high of nine set earlier this season against the Jets in Week 3.


Highest Win Rate: Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings

Van Ginkel's 38.5% pass-rush win rate in Week 16 paced the league as the Vikings completely shut down standout rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart through the air, allowing just 33 passing yards while sacking him five times (once by Van Ginkel).


Best Rookie Pass Rusher: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

Carter is the league’s highest-graded rookie pass rusher for the second straight week. The third overall pick in this year’s draft earned an 81.3 PFF pass-rush grade after generating six pressures (one sack) and a 20.7% win rate against the Vikings in Week 16.


Season Highlights 

Best Pass Rusher: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett remains the NFL leader in PFF pass-rush grade (93.3). However, the Bills neutralized him in Week 16, limiting him to just two pressures and a 59.4 PFF pass-rush grade across 22 pass-rushing snaps.  Despite the down game, Garrett was credited with a half sack and has two games to record one sack to break the NFL season-long record. Next up for the Browns is a Week 17 matchup at home against the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers.


Most Pressures: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions; Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

Hutchinson has been the league leader in total pressures for most of the season but is now tied with Texans star Will Anderson Jr. (87) through Week 16. Anderson has been the more consistent pass rusher of the two, recording at least four pressures in all but one game this season.


Highest Win Rate: Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

Anderson (27.0%) and Myles Garrett (25.8%) have been, by far, the NFL's most dominant pass rushers this season in terms of win rate, trading the top spot back and forth throughout the year. 


Best Rookie Pass Rusher: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

Carter has been in a tier of his own this season when it comes to rookie pass rushers, leading the way in PFF pass-rush grade (83.0), pressures (54) and win rate (14.3%). He’s been among the league’s best pass rushers over the past month, ranking second in PFF pass-rush grade (90.4) since Week 13. His recent play has bumped him all the way up into the top 15 of these pass-rusher rankings.

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