10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impacts in the divisional playoffs

The Wild Card Round saw the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and Green Bay Packers pass rusher Mike Neal step up with their teams facing possible elimination.

It's a story we see every postseason. A few players become household names after performing at a high clip when it matters the most. Anyone remember Malcolm Butler?

Don't expect this to change as we enter the Divisional Round. Here are 10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impacts this weekend.

1. Ryan Harris, offensive tackle, Denver Broncos

Harris has been unheralded throughout his entire NFL career. His first stint with Denver included 34 starts in his final three seasons with the team (2008-10). He then acted as a swing tackle for Houston the next two seasons before being Kansas City's starting right tackle last season.

A season-ending injury to left tackle Ryan Clady during the summer pushed Harris into the conversation. Add in the injury to rookie Ty Sambrailo, and Harris' importance to the team took on a new meaning.

In 16 starts (13 at left tackle) this season, Harris allowed just three quarterback sacks. Compare that to right tackle Michael Schofield (nine sacks), and it's apparent that Harris was the Broncos' most consistent pass-protecting offensive linemen during the regular year.

Going up against a studly defensive end in Cameron Heyward this week, it's going to be important for Harris to continue his stellar play. That's only magnified with the immobile Peyton Manning under center. Harris allowed zero sacks and four hurries when these two teams met back in Week 15.

2. Marcus Peters, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs 

How can a player who put up a Pro Bowl performance as a rookie be considered unheralded? Well, it's rather simple. Not many outside of Kansas City think Peters has much of a chance against Julian Edelman come Saturday.

That's an utterly foolish assumption and pretty much represents box score scouting at its finest.

Peters did allow the third-most passing yards during the regular season. He also led the NFL in interceptions (eight), ranked in the top 10 in snaps played and was first overall in number of times targeted (137).

These are the stats many will utilize to look at Peters. Proponents of his performance will also point to a 67.7 opposing quarterback rating.

What makes Peters so dynamic is the fact that he's gone up against the best the NFL has to offer as a rookie. Those names include:

DeAndre Hopkins (twice), Demaryius Thomas (twice), Amari Cooper (twice), Randall Cobb, A.J. Green, Alshon Jeffery, Antonio Brown and Calvin Johnson. How is that for an elite group of receivers?

Despite this, Peters found a way to have a ton of success as the year progressed. His ability to make a play on the ball while still using plus-level technique in coverage is something we haven't seen from a rookie corner in ages.

Edelman might very well put up a nice number of receptions here, but we can expect Peters to at least flirt with an interception. We can also expect him to take chances, potentially jumping the route, due to Edelman's inability to stretch the field.

This is a tremendous matchup for Peters — one that could help lead the Chiefs to an upset win in New England.

3. James Jones, wide receiver, Green Bay Packers

It's readily apparent that someone is going to have to step up in the Packers' passing attack with Patrick Peterson slated to go up against Randall Cobb. That matchup resulted in three receptions for 15 yards from Cobb back in Week 16.

With Davante Adams out after suffering an MCL sprain against Washington last week, the player to keep an eye on here is Jones.

Unfortunately for the Packers, Jones was the team's most consistent receiver this season. He's coming off an 81-yard performance against Washington and is averaging 78 yards per game over the past four games.

Going up against Justin Bethel (more on him below), Jones has an opportunity to be a key cog for the Packers this weekend. He caught five passes for 46 yards against Arizona during the regular year.

4. Justin Bethel, cornerback, Arizona Cardinals

Speaking of the devil, Bethel was the one defensive back opposing teams attempted to pick apart during the regular season. He's been targeted eight-plus times a total of four times over the past nine games, including being thrown at a whopping 14 times against Green Bay back in Week 16.

Despite this, opposing quarterbacks haven't necessarily had a lot of success throwing Bethel's way. He allowed a 50 percent catch rate and 71.3 rating when targeted.

If Bethel is able to shut down his side of the field, it will likely lead to a repeat of the defensive performance we saw from Arizona in its 38-8 blowout win over Green Bay in Week 16. After all, the Packers aren't going to have much success throwing Peterson's way.

5. Tyler Lockett, wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks

Much like Peters above, it's hard to imagine Lockett being unheralded at this young point in his career. The rookie third-round pick put up 440 receiving yards and a 70 percent catch rate over the past eight games of the regular season.

Depending on how Carolina decides to match up here, Lockett could very well find himself going up against Josh Norman. The Panthers played Norman almost exclusively on the outside during the regular season.

While that should be taken into account, it's hard to imagine Ron Rivera and Co. allowing some scrub to be beaten by Doug Baldwin — one of the most productive receivers in the NFL over the past two months.

This seems to be an indication that Lockett himself will go up against what will be a fourth-string corner in Carolina. Remember Charles Tillman and Bené Benwikere are both lost for the season.

If it's veteran Cortland Finnegan going up against Lockett, this has a chance to get really ugly really fast for Carolina.

6. Ronnie Hillman, running back, Denver Broncos

Hillman will still split carries with C.J. Anderson in the playoffs, but he offers a ton more upside than his veteran counterpart.

Coming off a 117-yard performance against San Diego in the season finale, Hillman gained 100-plus rushing yards in four of the 11 games he saw 10 carries or more. Meanwhile, Anderson hit the century mark just twice.

It's not going to be an easy task taking on a Pittsburgh defense that ranked in the top five of the NFL against the run. But it is going to be essential with a potentially limited Peyton Manning under center.

That's going to be the key here. Can Hillman, and to a lesser extent Anderson, provide balance on offense? Hillman went for just 48 yards on 14 attempts against Pittsburgh back in Week 15.

7. Brandon Boykin, cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers

We had Boykin in this article last week. He responded by allowing just 20 yards on three receptions playing exclusively from the slot position. That's definitely a good sign for Pittsburgh heading into this one.

With most of the focus here having to be placed on outside receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, the area between the hashes becomes important.

Whether it's Sanders lining up in the slot at times or Jordan Norwood playing his normal position, this could be a key in what looks to be an evenly matched game.

There likely won't be any double coverage thrown into the middle of the field. Instead, Pittsburgh will shade Mike Mitchell and fourth corner Ross Cockrell to the outside. In this, Boykin will become an important cog for the Steelers.

8. David Johnson, running back, Arizona Cardinals

Much like Marcus Peters above, it might be time to start considering Johnson one of the truly elite players at his position. With 658 total yards and five touchdowns over the past five games, this rookie has been among the best players at his position during that span.

He's more than likely going to take on a featured role Sunday against a Packers defense that has a whole heck of a lot to worry about — a defense that yielded 127 total yards on 12 touches to Johnson back in Week 16.

If Johnson can force Green Bay to keep defenders in the box, it will lead to single coverage on the outside. Taking on the best down-field passing offense in the NFL, that has to be a major concern.

9. Mario Addison, defensive end, Carolina Panthers

We had Addison on this list a couple times earlier in this season, but a part-time role forced him on the back burner. Still in said role, this week's outing against a lackluster Seattle offensive line could place Addison back on the front burner.

He recorded three hits and a sack in Carolina's season finale against Tampa Bay. He's also tallied a quarterback hurry in all but one game this year.

Carolina likes to mix up its defensive line assignments, but Addison has primarily played on the right side. This is an indication that he will line up against Russell Okung in obvious passing situations.

With the Panthers possessing a mismatch in their advantage on the other side, any added focus on holding Addison off could be key in putting consistent pressure on Russell Wilson.

10. Michael Oher, offensive tackle, Carolina Panthers

Long considered one of the worst starting offensive tackles in the NFL, Oher has received a jolt in Carolina this season. He allowed just four sacks and graded out as one of the top pass-protecting left tackles in the NFL.

While there are still some large issues when it comes to run blocking, Oher's ability to protect Cam Newton will come in handy big time this weekend.

He's going to have to stop the immovable force that is Michael Bennett, who was one of the most dominating defensive players in the NFL during the regular year. In addition to the 11 sacks Bennett recorded, he tallied a ridiculous 57 hurries.

If Oher is able to neutralize him, it will help the Panthers have success through the air against the Legion of Boom. If not, it will be a long day for Newton and the Panthers' passing game.

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