Two weeks into the 2026 season, the New York Jets have the best player in the NFL at one position (well, at least based on one controversial metric), and it certainly isn’t who you think.

Nope, it isn’t Garrett Wilson, nor is it Demario Davis or Armand Membou. It isn’t even punter Austin McNamara.

We’re talking about left guard Dylan Parham.

Through his first two games as a Jet, the 27-year-old has racked up a 92.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That makes him the top-ranked guard in the NFL heading into Week 3.

In fact, Parham is the league’s highest-graded offensive lineman regardless of position. To take it one step further, the only offensive player with a higher grade is Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (92.9).

Alright, let’s be honest: Is that likely an exaggeration of how well Parham has played so far?

Yes, it probably is. PFF’s grading system is known for its wonky conclusions, especially over smaller samples. To say that Parham has been the best offensive linemen in the NFL so far would be a bit of a stretch, let alone the second-best offensive player.

Even PFF’s own metrics do not corroborate that. While PFF loves Parham’s run-blocking, placing him first among all offensive linemen with a 92.5 run-blocking grade, his pass protection has not been nearly as elite. Parham has been tagged with allowing six total pressures on 78 pass-blocking snaps, a pressure rate of 7.7%, which ranks 52nd out of 64 qualified guards.

Granted, Jets quarterback Geno Smith is averaging 3.07 seconds to throw (10th among QBs), so New York’s offensive linemen have been asked to hold up for longer than most other lines. It is also worth noting that Parham has not given up any sacks or hits—all six of his pressures were hurries—and he has yet to commit a penalty.

His work in the screen game deserves credit, too, as seen on Breece Hall’s 43-yard breakaway against the Packers.

With that context applied, Parham’s impact in the pass game has been much better than his 52nd-ranked pressure rate indicates. PFF has him with a 72.0 pass-blocking grade, placing seventh among left guards and 16th among all guards. That seems fair, based on what the eye test has shown of Parham’s role in the Jets’ excellent pass protection as a unit so far.

As for Parham’s league-leading 92.5 run-blocking grade, it is likely a bit excessive, especially given how much the Jets struggled to run in his direction in Week 2, rushing for -3 yards on three carries into the left A-gap or left B-gap (although that isn’t necessarily Parham’s fault without watching each play individually). With that said, he has certainly stood out on film as a significant positive through two weeks.

Overall, it is probably a little early for Jets fans to tout Parham as the second-best offensive player in the NFL behind JSN. The same goes for calling him the best offensive linemen, the best guard, or even the best left guard. A two-game sample of PFF grades cannot be hailed as gospel when it spits out such a shocking conclusion relative to the eye test.

With that said, it’s undoubtedly been a strong start for one of the Jets’ most underrated free agent additions. New York’s two-year, $16 million agreement with Parham did not generate much fanfare in March, but it was a deal with more upside than given credit for.

In 2025, Parham was the only qualified starter on the Raiders’ infamously poor offensive line who ranked in the top half at his position in PFF’s overall grade, placing 14th among left guards (63.6).

That gave him a high ceiling as he moved into New York’s significantly stronger unit. Offensive linemen’s statistics are often highly impacted by their surroundings, so if Parham could muster up average-ish numbers within the 2025 Raiders’ offense, his numbers had a chance to skyrocket with the Jets.

That’s precisely what has occurred so far. It would be shocking if he maintained his world-beating numbers for the entire season, but if he settles in as a top 10-12 left guard, the Jets would be more than happy.

Don’t be surprised, though, if he indeed maintains a top 5-8 ranking at the position, even if his current MVP-caliber PFF grade is probably (well, definitely) a little far-fetched.