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With the NFL playoffs kicking off this weekend, all eyes are on the superstars. But unreported players often step in and make a significant impact on teams that win the Super Bowl.
NFL fans know the stars and know well the well-prepared rookies who made an impact in their rookie seasons in the league. But every year there are many players who are left out of the draft process and fall down the boards of their respective teams, only to emerge as key difference makers despite their draft positions.
With that in mind, here’s a list of players selected in the fourth round or later of the 2022 NFL Draft who could play key roles this postseason.
Isiah Pacheco – Running Back, Chiefs (Seventh inning, Rutgers)
When Pacheco was drafted from Rutgers last April, his straight-line speed seemed like a natural fit for attacking in Kansas City. After being mixed up in the first eight games of the season, Pacheco took on a bigger role in Week 10 and hasn’t looked back. The runner carried the ball 170 times for 830 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 13 backline passes for 130 yards. He will play the main role in it Bosses as they aim for another Super Bowl title.
Jaylen Watson – Cornerback, Chiefs (Seventh Round, Washington State)
Watson played a key role in Kansas City’s defense that season, appearing as both a starter and a backup in his first year in the league. Having started five of his first seven games this season, Watson has been on the bench for most of the second half of the season. The high point of the season for Watson came in Week 2 when he intercepted Justin Herbert’s pass and ran it for 99 yards, scoring a touchdown in Kansas City’s 27–24 win.
Cordell Volson – guard, Bengals (4th round, North Dakota)
Volson wasted no time integrating into Cincinnati’s starting lineup. The NDSU product was ready to use right after school and played over 1,100 snaps this season on guard for Bengalsallowing only five bags, per PFF. He will play a key role in protecting quarterback Joe Burrow this postseason.
Jamaree Salyer – Tackle, Chargers (Sixth inning, Georgia)
After winning the national championship with Georgia last season, Salyer was relegated to the league Chargers, and Los Angeles is certainly glad it did. Salyer stepped into the starting left forward role and played nearly 1,000 snaps for the Chargers this season, giving up only five sacks while protecting quarterback Justin Herbert.
Zander Horvath – Fullback, Chargers (7th inning, Purdue)
After a strong college career at Purdue, Zander Horvath came out of camp thanks to his contributions to special teams. The Mishawaka, Indiana, product has played roughly two-thirds of the team’s action on special teams this season, while blending offensively in goal-line situations as the team’s full-back. Horvath scored a touchdown pass in each of his first two games as a professional in September against the Raiders and Chiefs.
Skylar Thompson – quarterback, Dolphins (Seventh Round, Kansas)
The dolphinsThe plan was to slowly pull Thompson behind starter Tua Tagovailoa. Plans quickly changed as Tagovailoa suffered a string of injuries during the season, the latest of which would keep him out of a wildcard game against the Bills this weekend. Meanwhile, backup Teddy Bridgewater has a throwing finger injury. Enter Thompson, who is now set to start the playoff opening game and will be looking to make enough plays to help the Dolphins upset.
In limited plays throughout the season, Thompson completed 57.1% of his passing for 534 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Brock Purdy – quarterback, 49ers (Seventh Round, Iowa)
Purdy was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the former “Mr. Irrelevant” was hugely significant in his debut season with The 49ers. After starting the season as the team’s third-rate quarterback behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, the duo’s season-ending injuries saw Purdy become the team’s full-time starter in December.
Purdy played spectacular football since taking the lead, completing 67.1% of his passing for 1,374 yards and 13 touchdowns on just four interceptions. Thanks to his quick dive and high-level play, the 49ers’ offensive hardly lost its rhythm despite the loss of Lance and Garoppolo. A deep playoff with Purdy in the middle may force the team to rethink their plans for the future in this position.
Spencer Burford – guard, 49ers (4th round, UTSA)
After being drafted in the 4th round from UTSA, Spencer Burford entered the 49ers’ rookie roster and immediately made an impression as a starting right fielder. Burford has allowed just four sacks in 744 offensive snaps this season for San Francisco, and that appears to be a major part of the team’s offensive line plans.
Cade Otton – Tight End, Buccaneers (fourth round, Washington)
The tight finishing position was a bit of a revolving door for Corsairs in 2022 after Rob Gronkowski retires. Cade Otton slowly became a bigger factor in Tampa Bay’s offense as the season progressed, both in the running game as a blocker and in the passing game as a receiver.
Otto tied the season with six goals from 10 goals in a 17–16 win over the Saints in early December. While he may not be on the pitch for every offensive action this season, he will be a factor in Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offensive.
Daniel Bellinger – Tight End, Giants (Fourth Round, San Diego State)
When Bellinger was healthy, he was the last starter in his rookie season outside of SDSU. Bellinger suffered a broken orbital bone in October which caused him to miss some time, but when he was ready to play he was a factor. Bellinger caught 30 passes for 268 yards and two goals and believes he is an important part giantsred zone offensive this postseason.
Micah McFadden – defenseman, Giants (Fifth inning, Indiana)
McFadden was instrumental in defending the Giants in his first NFL season. Although McFadden didn’t start out of the gate for New York right away, he was consistently mixed up as the team sought to bolster their defending corps. McFadden took over the initial full-time role in early December. McFadden recorded a total of 48 tackles, 25 solo tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in the regular season.
Tariq Woolen – cornerback, Seahawks (Fifth inning, UTSA)
When Woolen was developed by Seahawks, coach Pete Carroll believed he had found a diamond in the rough in the defender position. All Woolen did to prove Carroll right was start all 17 games as a rookie, tallying 62 tackles and six interceptions in total. Woolen was one of the best defensive rookies in the league and can be relied upon to continue his strong performance this season for the Seahawks.
Coby Bryant – defensive lineman, Seahawks (4th inning, Cincinnati)
Bryant was the equivalent of Sauce Gardner in college in Cincinnati and produced a strong rookie campaign. He started six games and stably mixed in as a key part of the Seahawks defense. Bryant is the team’s best player and recorded 63 total tackles and two sacks.
