Ten unheralded players set to shine in NFL Week 3

Week 3 of the NFL season is the last one for a while that won’t feature a bye week. So, for the final time in nearly two months, we have a full slate of unheralded players ready to step up and make an impact.

Who are those guys in Week 3? Which players have been performing well while also staying under the radar?

Which 10 unheralded players are set to have a strong showing in Week 3?

1. Tajae Sharpe, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans

The UMass rookie has had a solid start to his NFL career, catching 11 passes for 109 yards over the first two weeks.

This is the perfect week for Sharpe to break out.

No quarterback threw for more Week 1 passing yards than Drew Brees. In Week 2, that distinction went to Matt Ryan. Both quarterbacks were going against the secondary of the Oakland Raiders.

As it happens, Sharpe will be running routes against those same defensive backs in Week 3. While the Oakland offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense is just a hot mess. Quarterbacks and receivers are torching the Raiders on a routine basis.

Going against that secondary, Sharpe is primed for a big game in Week 3.

2. Shane Ray, outside linebacker, Denver Broncos

In Week 2, Ray scored a touchdown off of a Von Miller strip sack (watch here). He’ll continue to benefit from Miller’s presence for as long as DeMarcus Ware is out, but Week 3 offers a particularly friendly matchup.

The Cincinnati Bengals have surrendered eight sacks over the first two weeks, tied for most in the league. While it came in a winning effort, seven of those sacks were at the hands of the New York Jets in Week 1. The Jets do have a good pass rush, but it doesn’t stack up to Denver’s.

Like always, Miller has been a holy terror on opposing offensive linemen. Despite all the attention he draws, Miller leads the league in sacks with four through two games.

For Cincinnati to have any chance on offense, it will have to at least find a way to limit how often Miller pressures Andy Dalton. Expect that to lead to stacked offensive lines and double teams on the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Lining up on the other side of the line, Ray will benefit.

With plays like the one we saw on Sunday, Ray has proven himself more than capable of taking advantage of those favorable assignments. The Bengals’ offensive line will have its hands full this weekend.

3. Kerry Hyder, defensive tackle/end, Detroit Lions

Through the first two weeks of the season, only Miller has recorded more sacks than Hyder. It’s not a bad start for a guy who logged virtually no playing time through his first two NFL seasons.

Week 3 should also be good for him.

The Green Bay Packers are having a hard time keeping Aaron Rodgers on his feet. The line is not protecting well enough. Rodgers is not getting rid of the ball on time, and the receivers are not getting open early enough. Right now is a good time to be a pass rusher opposing the Packers.

Expect Hyder to be a factor again. It may come in the form of another sack or two. Certainly, it may just be constant pressure. While it may not be sexy, his influence may come from keeping the Green Bay line so occupied on him that blitzers can get into the backfield with relative ease.

Whatever it is, the situation is perfect for Hyder to be a force on Sunday.

4. James Bradberry, cornerback, Carolina Panthers

In Week 2, Bradberry picked up his first career interception. Don’t be surprised if he adds to his collection Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Sam Bradford had a nice game for Minnesota in Week 2. But despite getting rid of the ball remarkably fast, he was consistently pressured.

Mind you, that’s against Green Bay’s defense. Carolina’s defense is much better. Bradford may have to release the ball even sooner to avoid getting sacked. That’s only magnified with starting left tackle Matt Kalil and running back Adrian Peterson both being on the shelf to injuries.

If the defense knows a quarterback is getting rid of the ball early, it can jump routes and get into passing lanes. That’s the perfect recipe for an interception and maybe even a pick six.

5. Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Before bombarding us with reminders that Cody Kessler is the quarterback, remember something.

Even in a bad game, a quarterback will probably throw for around 200 yards. This is especially true when he’s going against a mediocre pass defense — like the one the Miami Dolphins feature.

Someone is going to have to catch those passes. With Corey Coleman injured, that man in Cleveland is Pryor. Despite the Browns’ less than ideal quarterback situation, Pryor has had a decent start to the year, catching six passes for 100 yards.

He’s also shown himself capable of stretching the field.

Cleveland is going to need that. The Browns are going to have to run the ball to succeed. They’re not likely to run too well if Miami can stack the box. Cleveland needs someone on the field that can make the Dolphins respect the vertical game.

Pryor is the man to do that. As such, he should be good for at least a few big plays on Sunday.

6. Matt Darr, punter Miami Dolphins

We should expect a defensive struggle between these two teams. With that, field position will likely be a huge factor. Pryor may make a few big plays but if they’re coming from deep in Cleveland territory, those plays likely won’t result in scores.

Darr has shown himself capable of being a difference maker in a field position battle. He’s not even particularly bothered by kicking from deep in his own territory.

If Kessler and the Browns are in situations where they have to drive the length of the field, Miami is in good position to win this game.

While a punter may not grab the headlines, Darr should be an impact player on Sunday.

7. Vance McDonald, tight end, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco’s recent history in Seattle may not suggest that any 49ers player belongs on this list. But consider a few things.

One: McDonald has had a nice start to the year.

Over the season’s first two games, he’s caught five passes for 89 yards with a touchdown in each of the first two weeks.

Two: As good as Seattle’s defense is, its recent history against tight ends is rough. Going against the Seahawks, Ryan Tannehill and Case Keenum have completed 81.4 percent of their passes to tight ends.

Three: When San Francisco played in Seattle last year, McDonald caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Finally, the 49ers are going to have to find a way to limit the Seahawks’ pass rush. That kind of offense should feature the tight end heavily.

8. Christine Michael, running back, Seattle Seahawks

On the other sideline, Seattle is going to have to figure out how to limit the San Francisco pass rush. The 49ers’ defensive line has consistently applied pressure to quarterbacks, and the Seahawks’ offensive line has been awful. Russell Wilson has been under duress on seemingly every passing play.

The best way to negate a pass rush is to run the ball and run it a lot.

Thomas Rawls is nursing his second injury of the season. Even if he’s likely to play, logic says that the Seahawks will have to use more of a running back by committee system.

That should mean a heavy dose of carries for Michael. If Seattle is winning the game throughout (which should be expected), the running game will be even more featured.

This game against San Francisco is tailor made for Michael to put his stamp on it.

9. Jack Doyle, tight end, Indianapolis Colts

All facets of Doyle’s game are going to come in handy on Sunday.

First of all, Doyle will have to help the pass protection out and do some blocking. The Indianapolis offensive line is a mess right now. While the San Diego Chargers aren’t exactly a juggernaut, the Colts will only win Sunday if they keep Andrew Luck on hit feet. That will take an all hands on deck approach.

Secondly, much like McDonald, when you’re having a hard time protecting the quarterback, quick routes to the tight end are your friend. With that, Doyle should be heavily featured in the passing game.

Doyle is having a nice season thus far. He caught three passes for 35 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. The tight end followed up that performance with a four catch, 37 yard outing in Week 2.

The San Diego defense has also struggled against tight ends, allowing 14 catches for 182 yards and a score in two weeks.

Whether Indianapolis wins or not remains to be seen. But Doyle should be a big part of the action on Sunday.

10. Rick Wagner, right tackle, Baltimore Ravens

Wagner has had a roller coaster career. Once a likely first rounder, he fell to the fifth round and struggled mightily as a left tackle. After the Ravens failed to replace Wagner, he settled in as the starting right tackle for 2016.

So far, the results have been solid.

In Week 2, Pro Football Focus graded Wagner as Baltimore’s best player.

Really, the Ravens need Wagner. Joe Flacco’s strength as a quarterback is his deep ball. He can’t throw that if the line is allowing constant pressure.

Wagner is in a position to succeed again on Sunday. The Jaguars have a talented defense, but it hasn’t really shown up yet. This provides Wagner yet another opportunity to keep his quarterback clean.

By Michael Dixon

Bay Area born and raised, I have extensive experience in both the print and online worlds. There are few ... More about Michael Dixon