Kevin Patra is recognizing one unsung hero from each team, zeroing in on players whose contributions weren’t rewarded with a Pro Bowl nod. Some names you know, some are appreciated by only hardcore fans and some are simply surprise difference-makers who don’t get the attention they deserve.
Baltimore Ravens
12-5 · 1st in AFC North
Ar’Darius Washington
Ar’Darius Washington
S · Year 4
Seemingly every TV broadcast of Ravens games down the stretch credited Kyle Hamilton’s move to a more traditional safety role for Baltimore’s defensive turnaround. Few did enough to highlight Washington’s role in that about-face. The improved defensive structure coincided with Washington becoming the full-time starting free safety. From the point when he joined the starting lineup in Week 8 through the Divisional Round, Washington actually finished with a better target EPA (-6.8) and completion percentage over expected (-10.2) than Hamilton (-3.6; -7.4%), per Next Gen Stats. I’m not suggesting Washington is a better player than the two-time Pro Bowler, but the fourth-year pro certainly deserves more flowers for his solid play in helping solidify a leaky defense, especially considering he’d played in only eight total games (with just one start) in his first three seasons.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
13-4 · 1st in AFC East
Spencer Brown
Spencer Brown
RT · Year 4
Dion Dawkins earned Pro Bowl honors, but here is an argument that Brown actually outplayed the veteran blind-side protector. Brown was the Bills’ best run blocker, consistently mauling opponents. The 26-year-old also allowed just 24 pressures and one sack across 495 pass-blocking snaps this season, per Next Gen Stats. His 4.8% pressure rate was the lowest among right tackles (min. 200 pass blocking snaps), and his 0.2 sack percentage is tied for the lowest among all OTs (with Denver’s Garett Bolles) in 2024. Josh Allen carried the load this season, but Buffalo’s O-line deserves more credit for its stellar play both in the run and pass games.
Cincinnati Bengals
9-8 · 3rd in AFC North
Mike Hilton
Mike Hilton
NB · Year 9
Cincinnati’s defense might have had an off season, but Hilton remained a menace from his slot corner position. He generated seven pressures, per NGS, to go with two batted balls, two pass breakups and an interception. More than anything, Hilton excelled in run defense — a critical necessity for nickels, given their proximity to the action. Hilton’s 9.3 run stop percentage, 4.7 stuff percentage and -17.9 run stop EPA were all tops among corners (min. 200 snaps). With a new defensive coordinator (Notre Dame’s Al Gordon) entering the fray in Cincinnati, it will be interesting to see if the Bengals attempt to retain Hilton, an impending free agent. Either way, his type of aggressive play will be valued on the open market.
Cleveland Browns
3-14 · 4th in AFC North
Isaiah McGuire
Isaiah McGuire
DE · Year 2
The midseason Za’Darius Smith trade opened the door for McGuire, and the second-year pro took advantage, flashing down the stretch. McGuire’s 28 QB pressures wound up second on the club — eleven of which were quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds). His 6.6 run stop percent was tops among all Browns defensive linemen (min. 200 snaps). After playing in just four games as a rookie, McGuire took advantage of the starter cameo late in the season. He started the final three games, collecting two of his 2.5 sacks on the season and three of his eight tackles for loss. It was the type of season-ending performance that could lead to a larger role in 2025.
Denver Broncos
10-7 · 3rd in AFC West
John Franklin-Myers
John Franklin-Myers
DE · Year 7
First, I’d like to point out that I could probably write an entire Broncos-only Pro Bowl snubs list — Zach Allen, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz, Brandon Jones, etc. Sometimes entire teams are overlooked — they’re just not usually playoff teams with Super Bowl-winning coaches. I digress. JFM might not make a PB snub list, but he was critical in the middle of Vance Joseph’s defense. After the Broncos stole Franklin-Myers from New York in exchange for a handful of rose petals, the defensive tackle put up 44 QB pressures, per NGS, and was a stone in the middle. His ability to win immediately discombobulated offenses. He earned 19 quick pressures on the season, tied for second on the club behind only Allen and fourth among all DTs in the NFL.
Houston Texans
10-7 · 1st in AFC South
Kamari Lassiter
Kamari Lassiter
CB · Rookie
Playing across from Derek Stingley Jr., Lassiter entered the season knowing he’d see the bulk of targets thrown his way. The rookie stepped into that spotlight and delivered time and time again. Lassiter generated a 58.6 passer rating against as the nearest defender, including playoffs — second among all CBs with at least 300 coverage snaps, per NGS. The only player better: Stingley. The rookie was tops in the league under those parameters with a 43.7 completion percent allowed and a -12.8 completion percentage over expected. If advanced metrics aren’t your thing, the rookie also had four INTs and 12 passes defended in 16 games. With Lassiter and Stingley, DeMeco Ryans has a lockdown duo at his disposal.
Indianapolis Colts
8-9 · 2nd in AFC South
Josh Downs
Josh Downs
WR · Year 2
In the 2024 iteration of the Colts’ offense, no receiver was going to put up massive numbers. Indianapolis had the sixth-fewest pass attempts (513), fewest completions (289) and eighth-fewest passing yards (3,361). Downs led Indy with 72 catches, but his season was more than just counting stats. When Indy needed a clutch play, it was Downs who delivered, converting a team-high 40 receiving first downs and posting a 53.3 success rate. Shaky quarterback play can color the perception of a receiver, but all Downs does is get open. His 69.75 separation percentage ranked sixth in the NFL for 2024, per Pro Football Focus. If the Colts get better consistency under center in 2025, Downs’ star will rise.
Jacksonville Jaguars
4-13 · 3rd in AFC South
Tank Bigsby
Tank Bigsby
RB · Year 2
Not much went right this season in Jacksonville outside of flashes from rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but the offense did show some pop when Tank toted the rock. It was evident when watching the Jags that the offense was more effective when it got Bigsby churning. Jacksonville didn’t win much, but in all four of its victories, Tank got double-digit carries. The downhill runner’s 32.1 percent missed tackles forced rate finished fifth in the NFL (min. 150 totes), per PFF. Bigsby has stated his case for more totes and could have a more sizable role under new head coach Liam Coen in 2025
Kansas City Chiefs
15-2 · 1st in AFC West
Jaylen Watson
Jaylen Watson
CB · Year 3
Perhaps I’m going a bit off the reservation with this one, given that Watson played in just six regular-season games before suffering an ankle injury that wiped out most of his campaign. However, it was in his absence that Watson’s importance to Kansas City’s secondary was proven. The Chiefs were at their worst this season when opponents were able to pick on Watson’s replacements, avoiding Trent McDuffie. While missing the bulk of the regular season, Watson generated a team-best -11.5 CPOE and -8.3 target EPA among corners. Watson returned for the Divisional Round and didn’t miss a beat while knocking off the rust, allowing one catch for eight yards in 24 coverage snaps. Watson’s return for the postseason gives Steve Spagnuolo much more flexibility.
