BBNFL Week 5: Deone Walker and Za'Darius Smith each record a sack

Two of Kentucky’s professional defensive monsters made a statement in Week 5. Za’Darius Smith and Deone Walker each recorded a sack for their respective teams, albeit in upset losses.

Let’s start with Smith, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles just a couple of weeks ago. He sacked Bo Nix on a crucial 3rd and 8 in the 2nd quarter. However, he may have needed a few more big plays as the Broncos upset the Eagles to give the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL its first loss.

Za'Darius Smith's sack knocks them out of field goal range 😤

DENvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/yTPtEwYL0J

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

Next up, the rookie, Deone Walker, for the Bills. He recorded a half sack on Sunday Night Football against the Patriots. Walker leads all rookie defensive tackles in individual player grades, for those keeping track. After his last season at Kentucky, where a back injury partially hampered him, Walker is making a big impact in the NFL early.

Brenden Bates records his first NFL receptions

While Smith, Walker, and Hines-Allen are names you might expect to put up numbers, on the offensive side of the ball, an unlikely BBNFL hero emerged. Sure, Wan’Dale Robinson had his usual handful of catches while Chris Rodiguez and Ray Davis had a few of touches, but it was former Kentucky tight end Brenden Bates who logged his first receptions of his NFL career.

Now with the Houston Texans after stints with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns, Brenden Bates made the most of his 13 snaps in Houston’s surprising blowout victory over the flailing Ravens. 10 of those 13 snaps were runs, but on Houston quarterback, CJ Stroud, targeted Bates on two out of his three passing plays, and the second-year man did not disappoint. Bates hauled both of his targets in for a total of 23 yards. He also graded out as the highest player on the Texans’ offense.

It looks like Bates may have found a groove in his new Houston home.

Other BBNFL Notes:

• Josh Hines-Allen picked up three more QB pressures in his team’s unbelievable comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. That Liam Coen really knows how to draw up a game-winning play.
• While Deone Walker is making plays for the Bills, fellow Kentucky rookie Maxwell Hairston remains on the sidelines. The team placed him on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury suffered during training camp, meaning he would miss at least four games; however, remains on that list, still unable to practice. Let’s hope he can recover soon, but the Bills are playing it conservatively with their first-round pick.
• If you thought the Jags’ blooper touchdown was something to watch, the Tennessee Titans said, “Hold my beer.” In an absolute comedy of errors that are stranger than fiction, including a runner dropping the ball at the goalline after a 76-yard run and an interception turned fumble into the endzone, the Titans hilariously beat Arizona. Somewhere, Will Levis is laughing.

BBNFL snap counts and stats for Week 5

(ST): Special Teams snaps; player did not play on offense or defense.

Player	POS	Snaps	Stats
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)	WR	69	7 targets, 5 rec, 30 yards, 1 rush, 2 yards
Trevin Wallace (CAR)	LB	55	2 tackles, 2 assists
Josh Hines-Allen (JAX)	LB	52	3 QB pressures, 2 tackles, 1 assist
Dru Phillips (NYG)	DB	43	3 tackles
Deone Walker (BUF)	DL	36	2 QB pressures, 1 sack, 2 tackles
Za’Darius Smith (PHI)	LB	34	3 QB pressures, 1 sack, 1 tackle, 1 assist
Bud Dupree (LAC)	LB	31	1 QB pressure, 1 assist
Chris Rodriguez (WAS)	RB	15	5 rushes, 7 yards
Brenden Bates (HOU)	TE	13	2 targets, 2 rec, 23 yards
Ray Davis (BUF)	RB	6	2 rushes, 1 yard
Luke Fortner (NO)	C	1	No stats
Darian Kinnard (GB)	OL		Bye Week
Brandin Echols (PIT)	DB		Bye Week
Carrington Valentine (GB)	DB		Bye Week
Bryce Oliver (TEN)	WR		Inactive
Zion Childress (HOU)	DB		Inactive