Blake Cashman joins Roquan Smith as highest graded LB after 5 weeks

Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman has been elite all season and he's finally receiving some national spotlight after the first five weeks of the season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Cashman is now tied with Ravens All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith with the highest grade at the linebacker position in the league after Week 5's loss to the Falcons.

Cashman and Smith are ranked just above other star linebackers such as Saints All-Pro Demario Davis and Seahawks All-Pro Bobby Wagner.

Between those three players, there's a combined 8 All-Pro nominations. Smith, Davis, and Wagner have been some of the best defenders the league has seen in the last few years and now Cashman's name is standing beside them.

Cashman more than deserves the praise and high ranking after his play so far this season. Cashman missed the Texans season opener but since then has been a lock down defender in the middle of the field.

The Texans fifth-year pro has allowed seven receptions for 25 yards through four combined games and even intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during their Week 2 match up.

Cashman leads all linebackers with a 91.2 PFF coverage grade in 2023 and has consistently been graded very highly after each game he's played. Cashman's coverage grade also ranks first on the entire Texans defense. Cornerback Tavierre Thomas is the only other defender on the team with a 90+ coverage grade in 2023.