If you want to build a championship team at the NFL level, you’d best have your entire roster together. Because more often than not, it’s the bottom third of your roster that saves you in the dog days of the season. It’s the little-known special teams guy who forces two return fumbles in December. It’s the fifth cornerback who can play safety in big nickel who will come up with a key interception to help sew up a division title. It’s the swing tackle who replaces the injured starter and keeps your quarterback safe for three straight games when things could go the other way.
Coaches and executives look at the preseason as a buffet line for these types of players — the guys who, based on their preseason performances, prove that they’re ready to help out by any means necessary.
Now that the first week of the 2021 preseason is in the books, here are the Secret Superstars who might be on their ways to unexpected roster spots… or perhaps even starting spots.