When it comes to ranking the top defensive players in 2025 so far, there’s one in Denver who must be near the top. And there’s one surprising name you won’t see on this list . Here are the 2025 NFL quarter-season defensive player of the year power rankings.

It has been a strange season for defensive units thus far. Some of the best have been bad at times, like the Green Bay Packers. And some expected to be good have been awful, like the Baltimore Ravens.

But there are still players who are making noise on the defensive side of the ball. And here are the top five guys.

No. 5 — Rashan Gary , Packers

Although the Packers’ defense is coming off a poor showing against the Cowboys, Gary is still off to a terrific start. He seems to have benefited from playing alongside Micah Parsons.

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