Most NFL pundits this time of year are taking about the big star players who will help lead their teams to victory this upcoming season. It makes sense and it drives headlines without question. Typically, however, the NFL season will be determined by a handful of plays and a group of unsung heroes who either step up into their needed role, or shirt beneath added pressure and expectations. While a later article I’m writing will be tackling the question of who the preseason MVP candidates are, this one is about the players who are critical to team success even if members of the media won’t talk about them. These players are typically guys who need to play well in key positions, are unproven, or are going to be relied upon to “outkick their coverage” this season in order for their teams to thrive. These are the three players from each of the 3GML teams whose contributions will be essentially to their teams’ success in 5th 3GML season.
Buffalo Bills
1. Dalton Risner - C
It’s possible he is the most important role player in the AFC East this season. Risner, a rookie from Kansas State, was drafted to play the pivot for the Bills franchise cornerstone, Aaron Rodgers. In a league where defensive tackles are stout, Risner will have to play above his rookie wage scale this season. If he doesn’t, and an injury happens to Rodgers, or the Bills can’t keep a balanced offense, this season could end up a disappointment for the Bills. If he plays consistently well, this is one of the 3 or 4 best teams in the NFL and they could make a serious run at the 2nd Lombardi for the Bills GM.
2. Harold Landry - DE
This could end up being a different player, but lets say for right now it’s Landry starting opposite super star Myles Garrett. Garrett is going to get plenty of double teams this season, and there’s a chance he could break the 3GML sack record even with the added attention. He’s a dominant player. That said, Geno Atkins, the best player in the history of the league will dominate inside, but for a defense to be truly dominant it needs a tertiary piece. If Landry can become a double digit sack guy and defend the run, this front trifecta will wreak havoc. If not the defense will still be very good, but probably can’t achieve greatness.
3. Hunter Henry - TE
This might seem like a bit of an outlier but hear me out. This Bills team has outstanding playmakers at wide receiver. Todd Gurley when healthy is the best back in the NFL arguably. The team is dynamic offensively but this Bills offense is always at its best in a ball control style offense picking up consistent third down conversions, this is why Henry is so critical to their success. If he can be that 80 catch guy and bring himself into the upper echelon with the “big 3” tight ends in the NFL, the Bills can play their style of football, one that very well could win them a title. If Henry gets bit by the injury bug which he’s prone too, or he only plays so-so football, the team may be too dependent on big plays and it’s tough to make a living only hitting home runs.
Miami Dolphins
1. Cameron Meredith - WR
The Dolphins gave up all league WR Kenny Stills before the season to go with a bigger receiving corps. Meredith, the 3rd or 4th option for the Jets the past 3 season in the 3GML universe, suddenly becomes the number one option for Miami. While everyone knows the triple option comes to town with the Fins’ they are still going to need to make big plays and create in play action. If Meredith gets hurt per usual, or is simply the complementary receiver that he’s been throughout his career, the Fins’ passing game won't be good enough to make the playoffs, let alone a deep run toward a title.
2. James Bradberry - CB
Bradberry, who had one of the best seasons in the history of the league, is playing a critical role again as a starting corner. The team has tremendous talent in their back end with Minkah, Dez King, and Jamal Adams, but the second corner is critical in a league with studs as number two wideouts. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd, and Robby Anderson are difficult matchups each week in division, and Bradberry being a star as he was in the past could make this Dolphins defense a terror to play. If he’s average or below the team simply lacks the consistent firepower offensively to keep up, JB playing well is the key to Miami’s defense this season.
3. Eric McCoy - C
Just as Risner is important as the rookie pivot in Buffalo, so is McCoy in South Beach. He’s a good player but a 70 rated center give or take is a tough pill to swallow for a power run football team. While his peripherals are very good and enticing, he’s a rookie playing a hugely important position. McCoy has to play well for the Dolphins to run the ball effectively and pass protect long enough for their deep shot play action game to work. The team is built on running down the clock and beating you strategically from ahead, it works better if you can get major push up front. If not and Atkins, Harrison, and Daniels dominate the youngster, Miami’s season will be over before Santa pulls anchor from the lone glacier left in the North Pole.
New England Patriots
1. Ronald Darby - CB
The team is the best team in the NFL on paper and the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl again. That said it’s not a perfect team but it’s damn good. The biggest question mark is whether or not Darby can shine as a 2nd cornerback. He has some injury concerns and he’s a nice player but he has to play well as teams will shy away from emerging superstar Marshon Lattimore. Darby is a good player but he’s not without flaws and if he plays at a below average level this year, maybe the Pats lose some games they shouldn't.
2. Tyler Boyd - WR
Julio Jones could very well win the MVP with the new rules the league announced this season and Andrew Luck behind center. That said a lot of teams are going to want to focus on taking Julio away with consistent double teams. If this happens someone else has to step up in the passing game and Boyd, and his big 4 year contract extension, needs to be that guy. He played very well last season in the real NFL and now has become a high quality second tier receiver. If he can end up being that 1000 yard other option in the passing game who helps the the pressure off the superstar trio of Luck, Kamara, and Jones this offense might be unstoppable. If he's inconsistent or fails to deliver though maybe the Pats can be slightly vulnerable.
3. Carl Lawson - DE
People forget that Carl Lawson was a monster last season and ended up being an all league selection at the end of the year. Now the Patriots have an up and coming superstar in Bradley Chubb but the team’s success defensively might depend on if Lawson can replicate his 3GML double digit sack season. The team isn’t the best team in the 3GML at rushing the passer, finishing last season with the least sacks among the 4 teams. If Lawson can be the star he was in 2018 and Chubb and possibly rookie edge Brian Burns can add dynamic pressure it’s possible this team is the first team to hoist back to back Lombardi’s. If Lawson regresses and teams can sit back without much pressure, maybe they aren’t the number one team at seasons’ end.
New York Jets
1. Kelvin Beachum - LT
The most important player on the Jets this year is dependable but boring Kelvin Beachum. He’s always been an adequate left tackle because that’s what he is, but he’ll need to be better this season for the Jets to have any chance of reaching the postseason. The team looked to be sitting back preparing for the 2020 year when a flurry of preseason moves have shot them up into a legit playoff contender. Now Beachum has to play at a higher level or the Jets will get decimated by the nasty pass rushers of the AFC East. If he’s bad to put it simply, the Jets postseason odds go from 13.8% to 6.6% according to FPI. Beachum is the Jets most important player.
2. Demetrius Harris - TE
The Jets were the team that fell in love with Harris this offseason, paying him well above market value to be their starting tight end. The Jets have always played their tight ends as hybrid linemen and receivers and they need dynamic multiple players at that position. Harris is a good blocker with great speed but has yet to put that into use, typically being a barely utilized role player. Now the Jets need him to break out in a big way and challenge to be a top of the market player at the position. They don't have a ton of chain movers and Darnold is a 74 rated player coming into the 2019 season. If he can’t provide some big plays and be a key pass catcher for this team, they probably won’t pick up enough conversions to make a playoff push, if he can maybe they surprise some teams and make a run.
3. Marcus Made - S
The Jets love what they have in May but they need him to really be a superstar this year. While he’s been good his first two seasons, the Jets are praying they get the turnover machine they thought they were getting when they drafted him. With a nasty front 4 and takeaway machines at corner, the Jets simply need one more playmaker on defense to be the opportunistic type team that can sneak up and win a division or a Super Bowl. If he takes a step forward and becomes the 100 tackle, 6-8 turnover player that he can be, the Jets defense could be a league best unit. If he’s only average, then maybe the Jets D fails to deliver on its promise and falls short of it’s ultimate goal.
