Every NFL Roster's Best-Kept Secret Heading into 2026 OTAs

NFL players don't often slip through the cracks due to the popularity of the sport. However, some aren't nearly as well known, particularly to the general audience.

Every roster features at least one individual who deserves more recognition for his overall performance or specific skill set. These contributors are integral to their situation and often present enough upside to eventually become household names.

With that in mind, the players included as the league's best-kept secrets are all 27 or younger, have never been acknowledged as a Pro Bowl or All-Pro performer and weren't first-round picks. They're building toward their respective peaks.

Fans of these specific teams almost certainly know who these men are. Those on the outside will have a far more difficult time identifying each. But everyone should learn these names.

Arizona Cardinals: LB Cody Simon

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The Arizona Cardinals chose Cody Simon in last year's fifth round without the expectation of him starting in Year 1.

However, an injury to Mack Wilson Sr. led to Simon being placed into the lineup and starting nine games and producing 76 tackles, which included two outings with 12 or more stops.

Akeem Davis-Gaither's departure in free agency opened the door for Simon to become a full-time starter in his second season, and the Cardinals didn't add an established veteran to challenge him for the spot.

As long as Simon continues to improve when he's asked to work in space, he can stay on the field, develop into an every-down linebacker and likely become a tackling machine. He definitely impressed when presented with an opportunity as a rookie.

Atlanta Falcons: DL Brandon Dorlus

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Brandon Dorlus needed time to develop. After contributing little as a rookie, the second-year defensive lineman became an integral part of the Atlanta Falcons' defensive rotation in Year 2. In fact, the Oregon product finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks.

The Falcons made a concerted effort to improve their pass-rush last offseason and did so by adding a pair of first-round picks in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Dorlus' emergence as an interior pass-rusher made the group even more effective.

The former fourth-round pick should take on a full-time starting role this fall and provide the Falcons with an athletic and disruptive presence to make life easier on those names screaming off the edge.

Baltimore Ravens: LB Teddye Buchanan

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Unfortunately, Teddye Buchanan suffered a torn ACL in December. He showed he belonged in the NFL prior to that point, though.

In 14 games (13 starts), the 2025 fourth-round pick accumulated 93 total tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. It didn't take the rookie long to realize he could play at the highest level.

"As the season went on, not only did I feel that I belonged, but that I could be a good player," Buchanan said.

The linebacker doesn't have an exact timetable for his return to the field this year, and Trenton Simpson is still on the roster to play alongside Roquan Smith if needed.

However, Buchanan will almost certainly slot into the starting Will spot once he's cleared and ready to contribute again.

Buffalo Bills: TE Jackson Hawes

AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes

The Buffalo Bills were ahead of the curve when the organization chose Jackson Hawes in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

"That was rooted in our own internal sentiment and understanding that the trend in the NFL is that heavier tight end sets was going to be something that got prioritized," Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone told reporters after the second day of this year's draft.

By drafting Hawes a year earlier, the Bills landed the best pure blocker among the last two classes and got him at a discounted price, considering half-a-dozen inline options were taken between this year's second and fourth rounds.

Hawes is a tone-setter and trendsetter as a blocking tight end, with some upside to contribute in Buffalo's passing attack.

Carolina Panthers: Edge Nic Scourton

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

This offseason, the Carolina Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips to the largest free-agent contract in total value ($120 million). Yet a second-year pass-rusher could have as much impact or more on the team's success this fall.

Nic Scourton showed up as a rookie, with team-leading five sacks. Last year's second-round draft pick didn't even become a regular starter until the last five weeks of the 2025 campaign. Scourton's promising rookie campaign should elevate him to full-time starter status, while benefiting from the Phillips' addition.

The Panthers previously lacked a legitimate edge presence. Now, defenses will concentrate on slowing Carolina's prized free-agent addition, while Scourton can regularly win his one-on-one matches as the squad's bookend.

Chicago Bears: RB Kyle Monangai

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

D'Andre Swift is the Chicago Bears' RB1. Kyle Monangai proved last year that he has lead back potential, too.

Monangai ranked third among all rookies last season with 783 rushing yards. The seventh-rounder's 4.6 yards per carry ranked second among all first-year backs with at least 150 carries. He's a natural runner, particularly between the tackles. The Rutgers product has some wiggle and brings a lot of physicality.

Swift is entering a contract year and may not be with Chicago next season. It wouldn't be the first time Ben Johnson built an offense around Swift only to go in another direction. Buy stock in Monangai early, because he could very well be the Bears' RB1 in 2027.

Cincinnati Bengals: OG Dylan Fairchild

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

The Cincinnati Bengals knew Dylan Fairchild wasn't a finished product when the organization chose him in the third round of last year's draft. The 6'5", 318-pound interior blocker entered the professional ranks as a raw yet explosive powerhouse. While rough patches were seen during Fairchild's rookie campaign, the arrow is pointing up for what could be a stellar career.

"From Week 13 onward, he slotted in as the 11th-best pass-blocking guard (78.5), with only eight pressures allowed over the six-game stretch," Pro Football Focus' Ben Cooper noted.

Fairchild is an excellent athlete with the type of power to consistently displace defenders. With Orlando Brown Jr., Ted Karras and Dalton Risner getting older, the second-year blocker will likely develop into the centerpiece of Cincinnati's front five.

Cleveland Browns: TE Harold Fannin Jr.

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Harold Fannin Jr. had the unfortunate luck of being in the same draft class as Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. The situation doesn't detract from how talented Fannin is.

Last year's 67th overall pick is a legitimate threat in the passing game and could be considered Cleveland's No. 1 target entering the 2026 campaign even after the first- and second-round additions of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston from this year's draft class.

Last season, Fannin ranked second among rookie tight ends with 72 receptions and 731 receiving yards—eighth among all tight ends, respectively. His six touchdown grabs tied for the most.

With David Njoku's departure in free agency, Fannin's role will only increase during his second season.

Dallas Cowboys: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku

AP Photo/Jerome Miron

The Dallas Cowboys made a massive blunder by trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last year, but they have done a good job improving the defense and placing an emphasis on rebuilding the pass rush.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, whom the Cowboys chose in last year's second round, is at the forefront of that transition. Ezeiruaku may have registered only two sacks, but he posted positive signs throughout his rookie campaign.

"Despite sliding to the second round, Ezeiruaku turned in a solid rookie campaign with a 66.8 PFF pass-rush grade, the second-best among qualified newcomers at the position," Bradley Locker wrote. "What's also appealing about Ezeiruaku is how good he looked against the run, sitting in the 85th percentile in run stop rate (8.1%) and the 73rd percentile in PFF run-defense grade (62.8)."

Denver Broncos: LB Jonah Elliss

AP Photo/Bart Young

How much a player can do for a team is sometimes more important than being a reliable starter. Case in point, Jonah Elliss hasn't started a single game for the Denver Broncos since being a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

His ability to help by playing on the edge or off the ball makes him an invaluable contributor.

This year, Elliss is expected to make the full-time transition from edge-defender to linebacker.

"If people watch the games, they'll see that a lot of times on third downs he was lined up at inside linebacker already," Pro Bowl teammate Nik Bonitto told reporters. "We have multiple packages for him. He's one of our best coverage players when we drop him into coverage. ... He provides so much versatility.

"I have no doubt about his talent. He's one of the most talented guys on the team."

Detroit Lions: OG Tate Ratledge

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

A lot of the Detroit Lions' success since Dan Campbell became the team's head coach has been predicated on the play of the squad's offensive line, which has continually proven itself as one of the league's best units.

The Lions chose Tate Ratledge in last year's second round, and he slid seamlessly into the group by replacing a veteran stalwart in Kevin Zeitler at right guard. According to TruMedia (h/t Pro Football Network), Ratledge allowed the lowest pressure rate among any rookie offensive linemen in 2025. He also graded as the league's 12th-best run-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus.

Ratledge's importance will only increase this fall, with Penei Sewell making the expected switch from right to left tackle and first-round rookie Blake Miller sliding next to the second-year blocker.

Green Bay Packers: S Evan Williams

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers spent three draft picks on the safety position and the approach worked out well. Evan Williams was the second selected as a fourth-round pick, yet he's already proven himself to be one of the NFL's best young defensive backs.

With Javon Bullard primarily working the slot, Williams flashed as a rookie. He emerged as a full-time starter in 2025 and stuffed the stat sheet with 100 total tackles, five defended passes and four interceptions.

Fellow safety Xavier McKinney has been a first- and second-team All-Pro over the last two seasons. Williams is more of the glue guy between the two. Still, the latter deserves greater recognition when he's half of arguably the game's best safety duo.

Houston Texans: DL Tommy Togiai

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

The Houston Texans feature a Super Bowl-caliber defense. Last season, the unit ranked No. 1 overall in total defense and second in scoring defense. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter set the tone while establishing the group's identity.

As with any great defense, particularly those with stellar fronts, someone needs to do the dirty work in the middle. For Houston, Tommy Togiai is a bull of an interior defender eating up space and collapsing the pocket.

Interestingly, Togiai didn't open the 2025 campaign as the team's starting nose. Tim Settle did. However, a season-ending foot injury eventually paved the way for Togiai's ascension. So much so that the Texans allowed Settle to walk in free agency.

Togiai now enters the final year of his current deal after the Texans chose fellow Ohio State alum Kayden McDonald in this year's second round. Togiai can anchor the Texans' front and receive a significant contract extension or likely be a sought-after free agent after the upcoming season.

Indianapolis Colts: C Tanor Bortolini

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

After one full season as a starter, the Indianapolis Colts' Tanor Bortolini has established himself as one of the game's best centers already.

The Colts eased Bortolini into the lineup as a rookie, because Ryan Kelly was still on the team. With Kelly leaving last offseason, Bortolini was asked to take over the spot and excelled. The Colts' coaching staff also realized it had a much more athletic snapper on the field and played to Bortolini's strengths.

"Some of the things that we've done in the run game with him—getting him out, pulling him, getting up to the second-level defenders, has been a big part of our offense," head coach Shane Steichen told reporters last year.

"(Bortolini) out in space has been tremendous. He can move really well for an offensive lineman, and he understands leverage of the defense and where he needs to get."

Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Parker Washington

AP Photo/John Raoux

Parker Washington isn't the first name that will come up when discussing the Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receivers. He probably won't even be the second or third mentioned.

Even so, his performance over the second half of the 2025 campaign portends a much bigger and dynamic role.

Obviously, the Jaguars have placed massive expectations on Travis Hunter, who will continue to play both ways. Brian Thomas Jr. may have experienced a sophomore slump, but his talent is undeniable. After being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders, Jakobi Meyers consistently emerged as the Jaguars' top target.

Still, Washington was a menace during Jacksonville's final four games of the 2025 campaign. The 2023 sixth-round pick caught 26 passes for 454 yards and three touchdowns during that stretch. Granted, Hunter was hurt, Thomas wasn't playing well and defenses were keying on Meyers.

Washington delivered when Jacksonville needed him and should see his overall usage and target rates increase significantly this fall.

Kansas City Chiefs: CB Nohl Williams

AP Photo/Peter Aiken

The Kansas City Chiefs have a successful history of drafting mid-round defensive backs, developing them and eventually featuring them in the secondary. Nohl Williams is next in line after a promising rookie campaign.

"Impressively, Williams placed in the 93rd percentile in single coverage grade and the 89th percentile at outside corner," PFF's Bradley Locker wrote.

The Chiefs had a plan this offseason. They traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams left in free agency. Then, Kansas City traded up to the sixth overall pick in April's draft to select LSU's Mansoor Delane.

Delane and Williams are now slotted to be the Chiefs' starting outside corners, with last year's third-round pick likely finding himself in an interesting position with one year under his belt. Some teams will certainly challenge him in coverage rather than testing the rookie.

Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jonah Laulu

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

The Las Vegas Raiders' 2025 campaign was a disaster. It's difficult to pinpoint anything that went well other than earning the No. 1 overall pick to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Jonah Laulu was originally cut by the Indianapolis Colts after being a seventh-round selection in the 2024 class. He was immediately picked up by the Raiders and started six of the team's last eight games. Unsurprisingly, Laulu struggled.

The 25-year-old defensive lineman became a much bigger part of the Raiders' defensive rotation in Year 2. Laulu still struggled, specifically against the run, but he's included here because he brings a very specific and valuable skill set.

Laulu is a legitimate interior pass-rusher. Even if he continues to struggle on early downs, he can easily be a regular sub-package contributor.

"He works his (expletive) off and he's getting better and better," Pro Bowl teammate Maxx Crosby said, per Vince Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "(I) love Jonah. He's a super talented guy and he's just going to keep getting better."

Los Angeles Chargers: TE Oronde Gadsden II

AP Photo/William Liang

Oronde Gadsden II has always been a weapon in the passing game. At Syracuse, the tight end/oversized wide receiver posted two 900-plus yard seasons when healthy. The fact Gadsden entered the Los Angeles Chargers' lineup as a rookie and caught 49 passes for 664 yards came as no surprise whatsoever.

The 165th overall pick in last year's draft should expect a bigger workload this fall.

First, Keenan Allen hasn't re-signed, which frees up 122 targets. Also, the organization brought in veteran tight end David Njoku on a one-year deal to be the primary in-line option. The Chargers can lean heavily on 12 personnel without losing any playmaking thanks to Gadsden and Njoku's capabilities.

The former has the potential to become Justin Herbert's new security blanket and control the middle of the field.

Los Angeles Rams: S Kamren Kinchens

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Kamren Kinchens proved he's an exception to the rule. The NFL often requires an athlete to hit certain baseline testing thresholds. Kinchens played extremely well during his time with the Miami Hurricanes yet tested as one of the least-athletic safeties over the last 39 years, per Kent Lee Platte.

The 23-year-old embodies the argument of play-speed vs. timed speed. The Rams obviously believed in his ability enough to make the two-time first-team All-ACC honoree a third-round selection. He registered 141 total tackles, 12 defended passes and six interceptions over the last two seasons.

Kinchens hasn't been a full-time starter, but he regularly fills any need within the Rams' secondary thanks to his ability to play free safety, in the box or over the slot—which makes him and Kam Curl interchangeable pieces.

Miami Dolphins: TE Greg Dulcich

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

The Miami Dolphins are almost starting at square one. As a result, the team's roster endured significant turnover. Miami signed 18 free agents from other organizations and drafted 13 prospects.

Tight end Greg Dulcich was one of the free agents Miami retained.

Dulcich has had a number of false starts to his career despite the requisite athleticism and playmaking ability to become a dynamic target. The veteran tight end did finish third on the Dolphins last season with 333 receiving yards.

Miami still drafted a pair of tight ends, but Will Kacmarek is primarily an in-line blocker and Seydou Traore is a developmental fifth-round option. Furthermore, the Dolphins' wide receivers remain highly suspect. However, Dulcich began to show serious potential during Miami's final six games.

"I thought he had a really good back end of the season," general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan told ESPN, "and I want to see if he can build on that."

Minnesota Vikings: DL Jalen Redmond

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Jalen Redmond's story alone deserves attention after being an undrafted free agent, needing the United Football League as a pathway to the NFL and growing into an underappreciated defensive lineman.

"There's a standard to his play. It's shown up every single week, and it goes back a lot before everybody started to notice it," Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters in November. "For us, just felt like he was a guy that we wanted to make sure was on the field as much as possible. He's a really good player. I think he's developed throughout his time here and really is starting to understand how he fits within the defense."

The Vikings employ an attacking defensive front. Redmond fits in nicely, with six sacks and numerous pressures last season.

Minnesota wanted a disruptive interior presence, hence the selection of Caleb Banks in this year's first round. He will join Redmond and give the unit an explosive, upfield duo.

New England Patriots: S Craig Woodson

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Drake Maye's ascension to elite status was the driving force behind the New England Patriots' unexpected success last season. A strong rookie class certainly helped.

Linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson played huge parts in the offense's improvement, as did running back TreVeyon Henderson. Defensively, Craig Woodson immediately established himself as a force at safety, particularly when playing downhill. He will pair well with the free-agent addition of veteran Kevin Byard.

"I think he's a very talented player, just watching the film, seeing some things that he did last year. Trying to build upon that," Byard told reporters when asked about Woodson. "A very smart...he's a mature guy as well. I know he's only in his second year. He seems very mature how he goes about his business, so I'm excited to be able to play with him for sure."

New Orleans Saints: S Jonas Sanker

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

The 2025 draft elevated the New Orleans Saints roster from being the league's worst on paper to a team that can win a division title this fall.

The organization's first two selections of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Tyler Shough made the biggest impact, but third-round safety Jonas Sanker wasn't far behind them.

Sanker started 16 games as a rookie despite having two proven veterans in Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon on the roster. Unfortunately, Blackmon suffered a torn labrum in Week 1, which ended his season. He re-signed this offseason, which will make Sanker's usage quite interesting.

The second-year safety could realistically see far more time working over the slot, which he did at the collegiate level. Alontae Taylor was the Saints' primary slot defender last year, but he signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason.

New York Giants: TE Theo Johnson

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The New York Giants brought in Isaiah Likely this offseason as the organization's top free-agent signing. Likely's inclusion shouldn't dissuade those who already bought stock in Theo Johnson's developmental upside.

Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar all played 400 or more snaps for the Baltimore Ravens last season. With John Harbaugh taking over the Giants, an emphasis on the tight end position should continue. Matt Nagy's hire as offensive coordinator doesn't change the math, either, since the Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce and Noah Gray both played more than 500 snaps last year.

Johnson's emergence as a receiving threat during his second campaign deserves attention, because he's a big target (6'6", 259 lbs) with a good athletic profile. He can play in-line, while still serving as a complementary pass-catcher when Likely is also on the field.

New York Jets: DL Jowon Briggs

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

The New York Jets have renovated their defense, which should provide the team with an identity after floundering during Aaron Glenn's first season as head coach. Plenty of change occurred, with at least one young retention deserving of mention.

Either through trade, free agency or the draft, New York acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis, T'Vondre Sweat, Joseph Ossai, David Bailey and D'Angelo Ponds this offseason.

The Jets traded for Jowon Briggs last offseason. At this point in his career, the 24-year-old defensive lineman is not an every-down defender. However, he adds juice as an interior pass-rusher. Briggs' four sacks finished second on the team last year, and he ranked fifth in pressure rate among defensive tackles, according to TruMedia (h/t Pro Football Network).

Sweat, Mazi Smith and rookie Darrell Jackson won't provide much from a pass-rush perspective. Briggs can regularly be on the field as part of sub-packages.

Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Jalyx Hunt

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Among a Philadelphia Eagles defensive front that featured Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Jaelan Phillips, Nolan Smith, Josh Uche and Brandon Graham, another name led the team in sacks and total pressures.

Jalyx Hunt certainly found his footing during his second season after being a third-round pick from Houston Christian. He won't be handed anything, though.

Hunt opened last season as a starter before moving toward a more rotational role. But that's where he can continue to excel. The Eagles brought in Jonathan Greenard, Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka this offseason. Those additions shouldn't take away from Hunt getting after opposing quarterbacks, because the Eagles love building their front so it can attack opponents in waves.

Hunt can continue in his development, while providing a potent option working off the edge.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Edge Nick Herbig

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a type. The organization knows how to evaluate outside linebackers who fit their system at an extremely high level. They have done so for decades now.

Nick Herbig looks like another major hit following TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Herbig finished second on the Steelers last year with 7.5 sacks. He has explosive traits. At the same time, he's stuck behind Watt and Highsmith, both of whom are signed to long-term contracts.

The NFL is paying attention, because the league understands what Herbig can do even in a rotational role.

"...plenty of teams would be glad to make him a full-time starter," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "Ascending pass-rushers get paid. The Steelers want to keep Herbig but also have T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the books.

"If Herbig makes it to free agency, he'll be a player who's not a household name but could be paid as one."

San Francisco 49ers: TE Jake Tonges

AP Photo/Ben VanHouten

Obviously, George Kittle is an elite tight end. At the same time, the seven-time Pro Bowler hasn't played a full slate of games since the 2018 campaign. He's currently recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in January.

Jake Tonges is an important cog in the San Francisco 49ers' offense, hence his new two-year, $8 million contract.

Tonges played in every game last season and finally got his chance to contribute as a pass-catcher. The 2022 undrafted free agent caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns.

In the subsequent postseason contest after Kittle's injury, Tonges caught five of six targets for 59 yards. He's a capable threat that Brock Purdy has grown to trust, which should allow the Niners offense to keep operating at a high level even if one of its top weapons isn't ready for the start of the 2026 campaign.

Seattle Seahawks: S Ty Okada

AP Photo/Ben VanHouten

Ty Okada proved to be a critical component to the Seattle Seahawks' defensive success.

After two years primarily spent on the practice squad, Okada started 11 games in 2025. He's now in line to start at free safety after Coby Bryant left in free agency.

"Look, it's remarkable," Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said in December. "It really is. He's just—his tackling all year has been phenomenal. ... He's a tough son of a gun and takes great angles and trusts it."

The Seahawks may like Okada as a player and he may become a permanent starter. At the same time, Seattle drafted Bud Clark in this year's second round.

Clark brings the class' best ball skills to the lineup. Even so, Okada's familiarity with the system, quick trigger and outstanding tackling will keep him on the field one way or another.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Jacob Parrish

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

When watching Jacob Parrish closely throughout the draft process, it became easy to see how fluid he is in his coverage. His movement skills and explosive traits immediately translated to the NFL.

Parrish played in 38 games at Kansas State, yet he wasn't viewed as a top cornerback prospect because he lacked the size and length teams prefer among outside corners. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers benefited by selecting Parrish in last year's third round. In turn, the then-21-year-old prospect immediately earned a starting role as the team's nickel corner.

Interestingly, the Bucs drafted Miami's Keionte Scott in this year's fourth round. Scott was viewed as the 2026 class' top-playmaker working primarily from the slot. The move indicates organizational belief in Parrish to play more outside corner, particularly if another injury to Zyon McCollum or Benjamin Morrison occurs.

Tennessee Titans: RB Tyjae Spears

AP Photo/George Walker IV

The Tennessee Titans didn't have the opportunity to draft Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love with this year's fourth overall pick. Onlookers will never know if the team is happy with its current running back setup or it preferred to draft Love.

Love may have been a talent upgrade as an elite prospect, but the Titans already have two capable ball-carriers on their roster. Tony Pollard is coming off his fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign. However, he's 29, and the workload should start tilting more toward Tyjae Spears.

Spears dealt with an ankle injury to open the 2025 campaign, which is a reason why his rushing production dropped. Though his usage in the passing game continued at a relatively high level. In three seasons, the 2023 third-round pick averages over five yards per touch.

Spears is not the most physical back, but he can be dynamic when it comes to making defenders miss.

Washington Commanders: OG Samuel Cosmi

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Sam Cosmi looked like a star in the making along the Washington Commanders' offensive line. Then, injuries took their toll. A healthy Cosmi found a home at guard in 2023, where he looked like a future Pro Bowl performer. He simply needs to stay on the field.

The 2021 second-round draft pick suffered a torn ACL during the '24 postseason, which didn't allow him to properly prepare for the following campaign. Cosmi didn't re-enter Washington's lineup until Week 7. A concussion prematurely ended the 2025 season.

Between those two points, Cosmi played well and provided stability alongside first-round right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. With Cosmi cleared, the Commanders will feature the same starting five as last year. Continuity is an important, albeit overlooked, aspect of offensive line performance. Washington can benefit greatly from having its best interior blocker in the lineup every week.