List of NFL teams’ unheralded players

DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — A list of players from each NFL team who have been key contributors despite being unheralded, unsung or unknown entering the season:

ARIZONA: K Chandler Catanzaro. Beat out Jay Feely and has set NFL rookie mark by making all 16 of his FG attempts.

ATLANTA: LB Paul Worrilow. Leading Falcons in tackles after doing so last year as undrafted rookie out of Delaware.

BALTIMORE: RB Justin Forsett. Fifth in NFL in rushing after getting chance with Ray Rice cut and Bernard Pierce ineffective.

BUFFALO: P Colton Schmidt. Rookie has solidified Bills’ punting situation after two seasons in flux.

CAROLINA: DE Mario Addison. Career-high four sacks helping offset absence of Greg Hardy, who’s awaiting domestic violence trial.

CHICAGO: DE Willie Young. Leads Bears with seven sacks and likely to start now with Lamarr Houston on IR.

CINCINNATI: WR Mohamed Sanu. Stepped up when A.J. Green was hurt earlier this season and leads Bengals in receiving.

CLEVELAND: WR Andrew Hawkins. After two years in CFL and three with Bengals, has emerged as Browns’ top WR.

DALLAS: WR Terrance Williams. Dez Bryant gets the headlines, but Williams is tied with him for team lead with six TD catches.

DENVER: CB Chris Harris Jr. Sat out Super Bowl with knee injury, but has recovered to team with Aqib Talib as one of NFL’s top CB duos.

DETROIT: DE George Johnson. Made Lions’ roster as long shot and has four sacks after none in previous four seasons.

GREEN BAY: DL Mike Daniels. Can get overlooked with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers on defense, but has 2 1/2 sacks.

HOUSTON: WR-KR Damaris Johnson. Fourth on Texans in receiving as slot WR and also returns kicks and punts.

INDIANAPOLIS: WR T.Y. Hilton. After breakout season last year, firmly establishing himself as elite receiver.

JACKSONVILLE: RB Denard Robinson. Former college QB at Michigan has emerged as Jaguars’ top RB in second NFL season.

KANSAS: LB Josh Mauga. Chiefs’ leading tackler became starter when Derrick Johnson tore Achilles tendon in Week 1.

MIAMI: RB Lamar Miller. Assumed starting role after Knowshon Moreno was lost for season with knee injury.

MINNESOTA: RB Jerick McKinnon. Vikings’ top rusher while Adrian Peterson on leave because of felony child abuse charge.

NEW ENGLAND: WR Brandon LaFell. After four so-so seasons in Carolina, has become one of Tom Brady’s top targets.

NEW ORLEANS: LT Terron Armstead. Protects Drew Brees’ blind side and key part of O-line that powers NFL’s No. 2 offense.

NEW YORK GIANTS: TE Larry Donnell. Ranks among NFL leaders at his position with 37 receptions for 357 yards and five TDs.

NEW YORK JETS: NT Damon Harrison. One of NFL’s top run stuffers overshadowed on D-line by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.

OAKLAND: WR Andre Holmes. Undrafted in 2011, has been one of few bright spots in Raiders’ 0-8 start with four TD catches.

PHILADELPHIA: K Cody Parkey. Acquired from Colts, won job over Alex Henery and is 15 of 16 on FGs, including three from 50-plus yards.

PITTSBURGH: CB William Gay. Veteran expected to be nickel CB, but now No. 1 CB with Ike Taylor out and Cortez Allen struggling.

ST. LOUIS: QB Austin Davis. Became Rams’ starter after Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury and Shaun Hill hurting quadriceps.

SAN DIEGO: RB Branden Oliver. Undrafted fourth-stringer took over when Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown all went down with injuries.

SAN FRANCISCO: LB Dan Skuta. Starting in sixth season with Aldon Smith on nine-game suspension and NaVorro Bowman recovering from knee surgery.

SEATTLE: DT Brandon Mebane. Solid, steady run stopper in eighth season, but largely overlooked on Seahawks’ big-name defense.

TAMPA BAY: LB Danny Lansanah. Has returned two INTs for TDs and earned starting job after making first NFL regular-season appearance last year since 2008.

TENNESSEE: LB Avery Williamson. Rookie fifth-rounder out of Kentucky has started last four games and is one of Titans’ leading tacklers.

WASHINGTON: P Tress Way. Claimed off waivers from Bears in August, rookie leads NFL punters with 49.4 gross average.

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