Stars are essential in the NFL. They dominate video game covers and generate media buzz while winning accolades. The Eagles wouldn’t have triumphed over the Chiefs without Saquon Barkley, and the Chiefs wouldn’t have established their dominance without Patrick Mahomes.

But each NFL roster contains 53 players for a reason; when the season unfolds against diverse opponents, teams rely on lesser-known individuals to rise to the occasion. With the NFL season just 50 days away and the Cowboys soon facing the Eagles to kick off 2025, we’re spotlighting 50 athletes who could make pivotal contributions this season.

This marks the third consecutive year of this assessment (with past lists from 2023 and 2024 available for viewing). I keep track of these selections, which have yielded some successes—like Baker Mayfield, who transitioned from a bridge quarterback to a long-term deal with the Buccaneers, and Sam Darnold, who outperformed expectations last season. Potential influential players for 2025 are also assessed.