10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impacts in Week 16

This week provides us with a ton of huge games around the NFL. With so many matchups slated to play important roles in the playoff race, there are a ton of unheralded players who could act the part of heroes for their respective teams.

From a New York Jets safety who was burned big time by Rob Gronkowski earlier in the season to an up-and-coming Washington Redskins tackle prepared to help lead his team to a division title, here are 10 unheralded players set to make major impacts in Week 16.

1. Marcus Gilchrist, safety, New York Jets

It's been an extremely successful first season for Gilchrist in New Jersey. The veteran safety has put up 70-plus tackles and three interceptions while allowing an incredibly low 60.1 quarterback rating when targeted.

In fact, Gilchrist's play between the hashes is one of the primary reasons that the Jets' pass defense has been successful on the perimeter.

Though, the one game that did see this former San Diego Chargers defensive back struggle was against Rob Gronkowski and the New England Patriots back in Week 7.

He allowed nine of the 10 passes thrown in his direction to be completed for nearly 100 yards and one touchdown — the only score he's given up all season. Having allowed 28 catches all year, that game represented one-third of his total through the first 14 games.

Needless to say, Gilchrist is going to have to perform at a higher level if the Jets expect to remain in the AFC playoff race heading into Week 17.

2. Theo Riddick, running back, Detroit Lions

Quietly putting up a Reggie Bush-like campaign, Riddick has been the Lions' most consistent running back all season. What's crazy about this is the fact that the Notre Dame product has attempted a total of 34 runs in 14 games.

Instead, Riddick's production in the passing game is what has him looking like a long-term solution in that role with the Lions. He's caught 69 of the 86 passes thrown in his direction for over 600 yards thus far this year.

Taking on a choppy San Francisco 49ers defense that has given up over 2,200 total yards and 18 touchdowns to running backs this year, the expectation has to be that Riddick will find a way to put up yet another stellar outing.

3. Olivier Vernon, defensive end, Miami Dolphins

Miami has been really bad against the run this year. That's shocking considering the team gave Ndamukong Suh the richest contract for a defensive player in league history back in the spring.

Despite those struggles, certain defensive linemen have stepped up from a pass-rushing standpoint. Joining Derrick Shelby in that category is this former Miami (Fla.) product who has racked up 7.5 sacks this season, including five in the past five games.

As most of you will attest to, sacks are an overrated statistic. Consistent pressure on the quarterback is what defines elite pass rushers. In this, Vernon has been among the best in the game. He has put up 26 quarterback hits in 14 games — a number that ranks him No. 1 overall among 4-3 defensive ends by a whopping 10.

Taking on an Indianapolis Colts left tackle in Anthony Castonzo who has been pretty good in pass protection this season, Vernon will have his hands full. If he's able to have another big game, it could put a final nail in the coffin of what has been a disastrous season for Indy.

4. Martavis Bryant, wide receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sitting out the first four games of the season due to a suspension, Bryant still finds himself on pace to put up nearly 1,000 yards. In fact, he's been among the top receivers in the NFL in terms of yards gained since returning from said suspension.

Most people probably haven't paid much attention to Bryant's ascension toward stardom with Antonio Brown putting up a near historic performance thus far this year. But in reality, it might be Bryant who helps the team earn a playoff spot, even more so than his veteran teammate.

With Brown coming off a 16-catch performance against an upper-echelon corner in Chris Harris, it's highly likely that the Baltimore Ravens will throw everyone with any sort of NFL-level talent to Brown's side of the field.

This means that Bryant will face single coverage against a defense that has yielded 28 touchdowns compared to four interceptions on the season. You can do the math from here.

5. Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans

I am pretty sure Tennessee wanted to see what Marcus Mariota and Green-Beckham could build together in the final two games of the season. Now that Mariota has been shelved for the season with a sprained MCL, it's going to be Zach Mettenberger throwing passes to the rookie receiver.

Despite some major struggles with consistency earlier this year, Green-Beckham has come up big recently. He's posted two 100-yard receiving outings in his past three games and has combined for 285 yards during that span.

With the size (6-foot-5, 225) and athleticism to be a dominating force in the Titans' passing attack, it's important for Green-Beckham to close out his rookie season with a bang.

Taking on a Houston Texans corner in Johnathan Joseph who has been darn good this season, the receiver will surely be tested.

6. Quinten Rollins, cornerback, Green Bay Packers

While fellow rookie Damarious Randall has received most of the play in Green Bay's secondary, Rollins has performed at a high level playing on the outside over the past several games.

Since moving to the left corner position back in Week 12, Rollins has allowed just 12 of the 24 passes thrown in his direction to be completed.

Likely taking on Michael Floyd in a huge game against the Arizona Cardinals this week, the onus is going to be on Rollins to continue his stellar recent play. Look for that to take hold come Sunday.

7. Jordan Reed, tight end, Washington Redskins

Reed is quickly becoming one of the most imposing tight ends in the NFL. Over the course of the past two games, he has caught all 16 passes thrown in his direction for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

Overall this season, Reed has posted more receptions (74) and a higher catch percentage (75 percent) than Rob Gronkowski. Those are some pretty amazing numbers right there.

Reed's ability to produce against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has been surprisingly good in terms of covering tight ends is going to be huge for the Redskins' hopes of clinching the NFC East this weekend.

8. Justin Hardy, wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons

Not only has this rookie started to see some substantial action over the past three games, but he's received as many targets as Roddy White during that span. It's not a stretch to say that Hardy has overtaken White as Matt Ryan's second-favorite target behind Julio Jones.

Hardy has seen five-plus targets in each of the past two games. He's also played an average of nearly 50 snaps per game during that span. With Josh Norman slated to go up against Julio Jones, Hardy and the rest of Atlanta's receivers will see single coverage here. If so, Hardy could have the first real breakout performance of his young career.

9. Rashad Johnson, safety, Arizona Cardinals

Passed over for a Pro Bowl spot this week, Johnson is definitely going to have something to prove against the Green Bay Packers. More than that, it's going to be important for him to step up in coverage with Tyrann Mathieu out.

Thus far this season, Johnson has allowed zero touchdowns and five interceptions in coverage. You can't really do much better than that.

While Patrick Peterson promises to follow Randall Cobb into the slot, Johnson's task will be to contain an emerging tight end in Richard Rodgers. If he's able to do that, the Cardinals might very well clinch a first-round bye in Week 16.

10. Morgan Moses, offensive tackle, Washington Redskins

After giving up four sacks in a five-game span during the middle part of the season, Moses has picked it up a great deal recently. He's allowed zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and just three pressures over the past four games.

It's not a coincidence that the Redskins have found themselves in the driver's seat in the division during that span.

Now taking on a combination of Vinny Curry and Connor Barwin this week, it's going to be important for Moses to continue this stellar recent play.

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