10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impacts in Week 14

As we inch closer to the playoffs, one thing is becoming readily apparent. Be it due to injury or certain guys not performing up to their capabilities, there are going to be some new names impacting the outcome of important games moving forward.

More so than earlier in the year, unheralded players must step up to help their teams out. Here is a look at 10 such players set to make an impact in Week 14.

1. Sebastian Vollmer, offensive tackle, New England Patriots 

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt broke his hand during Wednesday's practice, but that's not going to be enough for him to miss Sunday's all-important game against the Patriots.

In this, New England is still going to have to find a way to give Tom Brady time to pass in the face of one of the best defensive players in generations.

Interestingly, the Patriots do have an unheralded player who might just be able to help get that done. Vollmer, a mainstay along the team's offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, has started 77 games in seven seasons.

After the team lost starting left tackle Nate Solder with a torn bicep back in mid-October, it needed this veteran to step up. That's exactly what Vollmer has done. He has allowed just two sacks on the season splitting time between right tackle and Brady's blindside.

Vollmer is going to have to play at a high level here if the Patriots are going to find a way to contain the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. That will be one of the biggest keys, at least when the two are lined up against one another.

2. Eddie Goldman, defensive tackle, Chicago Bears

Interior pass rush might be one of the most underrated aspects of football today. Quarterbacks tend to struggle with pressure up the middle more than on the outside, which leads to mistakes on a consistent basis.

This is magnified when it comes to Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. The enigmatic starter has posted a 55.7 quarterback rating with three touchdowns and seven interceptions when pressured on the season. When not under pressure, Cousins has posted a 14-to-3 TD/INT ratio with a 111.3 rating.

Enter into the equation a rookie defensive tackle in Eddie Goldman who has consistently found himself in the opposition's backfield throughout the season.

The Florida State product has put up 16 quarterback hurries and five sacks through 12 games. While those might not seem like great numbers, they are rather impressive for an interior lineman in a 3-4 defense. Most look to open up outside pass-rushing lanes for stand-up linebackers.

If Goldman is able to find a way to put consistent pressure on Cousins, it will limit the quarterback's effectiveness in a game that the Redskins need to remain a top contender for the NFC East title.

3. Theo Riddick, running back, Detroit Lions

Most will be surprised to learn that Riddick has put up 60 receptions thus far this season. What's astonishing about this is the fact that the third-year running back has attempted just 29 runs this year.

Playing an important role in Detroit's passing game, Riddick will continue to put up some rather big receiving numbers. With five-plus receptions in four of his past five games, Riddick has taken on an even larger role recently.

While the Lions find themselves completely out of the playoff race, they are going to want to see what they have at certain positions. Considering just how bad this aspect of their offense has been in 2015, it's likely the team is going to want to get an extended look at Riddick throughout the final four games of the season.

4. Lorenzo Mauldin, linebacker, New York Jets

Playing the role of a pass-rush specialist, this rookie third-round pick has stepped it up big time for Todd Bowles and Co. recently. That took hold when the team released former first-round pick Quinton Coples last month.

Over the course of the past two games, Mauldin has played an average of 33 snaps after seeing an average of just over 11 in his first eight NFL games.

Taking on a Tennessee Titans team that has continued to struggle in pass protection in front of Marcus Mariota, it is going to be important for this rookie to make his presence known. With three sacks over the past four games, he might be able to do just that.

5. Richard Rodgers, tight end, Green Bay Packers

Prior to catching Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary last week, Rodgers was seeing more action in Green Bay's passing game. In fact, the second-year tight end saw five-plus targets in seven of the eight games prior to last week.

Coming off an eight-catch, 146-yard performance that saw him catch every pass thrown in his direction, Rodgers' importance to the Packers offense has been taken to an entirely new level.

Taking on a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been darn good against tight ends on the season, it's going to be interesting to see if Rodgers can continue his stellar play. If so, it will give his namesake at quarterback an outlet when he can't find a suddenly unimpressive receiving group on the outside.

6. James White, running back, New England Patriots

With only 13 rush attempts and 12 receptions in the first 11 games of the season, White had remained off the radar for the Patriots prior to last week.

Forced into action with injuries to Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, the former Wisconsin standout responded by putting up a huge game from a receiving standpoint. He caught 10 of the 13 passes thrown in his direction for 115 yards and a score last week.

Even if Gronkowski is able to go this week, the Patriots will likely find a way to get White involved in the passing game once again. After all, he was tasked with playing the role filled by Dion Lewis prior to his season-ending injury back in Week 8.

Remember, Lewis came out of nowhere to help Brady overcome a lack of talent in the passing game earlier in the season. There's no reason to believe White can't fill that void moving forward.

7. Frank Clark, defensive end, Seattle Seahawks

Given more playing time in recent weeks, this embattled rookie second-round pick has found a nice niche in Seattle's defense. Playing 50 snaps during this span compared to 51 over the past three weeks, Clark has racked up three sacks and another two quarterbacks hits.

Despite the domestic violence situation surrounding Clark prior to his entrance in the 2015 NFL Draft, there was little doubt that he could produce on the field. Now given that opportunity, this is exactly what the rookie has done. Expect much of the same moving forward.

8. Nate Washington, wide receiver, Houston Texans

In his 11th NFL season, Washington remains one of the most underrated players in the league. On pace to put up 600-plus passing yards for the sixth consecutive season, Washington is coming off a six-catch performance against the Buffalo Bills.

It is going to be important for Washington to continue producing at a relatively high level this week against the Patriots.

With Malcolm Butler slated to go up against DeAndre Hopkins, the expectation has to be that Washington will receive more targets from Brian Hoyer. If so, he's going to have to perform if the Texans are going to inch to above .500 on the season.

9. Barry Church, safety, Dallas Cowboys

Safety play in Dallas has been a major question mark over the past several years. And while the coverage has been lackluster from this position in 2015, Church has carved out a pretty big role in the run game.

According to Pro Football Focus metrics, Church grades out as the third best safety in the NFL against the run.

The key this upcoming week against Green Bay will be for him to continue this stellar play in order to make the Packers' offense one-dimensional. That's only magnified by the surprising play of the Cowboys corners in coverage on the outside.

10. Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Fresh off a late-game win against the Chicago Bears that saw him put up a career-high with a 41-yard touchdown run and a 71-yard game-winning touchdown pass, Gabbert is quickly becoming a major story in the Bay Area.

Is it possible that he could, in fact, be the team's franchise quarterback moving forward? Such a question would have been deemed absolutely ridiculous just a month ago.

Since then, Gabbert has led the 49ers to two wins in four games while showing everyone why he was a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first place.

Four games is not much of a sample size for a quarterback, especially when a team is looking at him as being a potential starter the following season.

In this, Gabbert needs to continue his stellar play against a bad Cleveland Browns defense that allowed the Cincinnati Bengals to score on seven consecutive possessions last week.

With pretty good games against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks already under his belt, there is no reason to believe Gabbert won't continue his strong recent play against a lesser defense.

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