Every season, it’s the stars that get the spotlight — but it’s the unexpected contributors that keep teams alive. Halfway through the year, we’re taking a look at the players nobody saw coming, the hidden gems across the NFC who have stepped up in ways their coaches didn’t even predict.
NFC North
Coach JC (Bears): Gervon Dexter Sr. (DT)
Nobody expected Gervon Dexter Sr. to dominate like this. Sitting at a 79 overall with 85 strength, Dexter has already piled up 6 sacks and 11 TFLs. Coach JC has leaned on him heavily, and Dexter has rewarded him by becoming the backbone of Chicago’s defensive front.
Coach Drama (Vikings): Adam Thielen (WR)
When you think Minnesota’s passing game, you think Justin Jefferson. But Adam Thielen, the veteran mentor, is quietly leading the team in yards with 42 catches, 659 yards, and 3 TDs. Coach Drama has proven he doesn’t care about age labels — if you can produce, you’re going to be featured.
Coach Nef (Lions): Isaac Tesiaa (WR)
A rookie nobody expected, Isaac Tesiaa has carved out a role immediately. With 28 catches for 391 yards and 2 TDs, he’s providing reliable production behind Jameson Williams. Coach Nef has shown a knack for developing young talent, and Tesiaa is his latest find.
Coach Cruz (Packers): Tucker Kraft (TE)
In Green Bay, Tucker Kraft is making noise at tight end with 58 receptions for 932 yards and 7 TDs. Coach Cruz has turned him into a go-to option, and Kraft has responded by leading the team in nearly every receiving category. He’s playing like a star, but came into the season as just a role player.
NFC South
Coach JTS (Panthers): Trevor Etienne (HB)
The little brother of Travis Etienne, Trevor Etienne has wasted no time proving he belongs. Despite having less than half the carries of Chuba Hubbard, he’s leading the team in rushing yards with 307 on just 38 carries (8.1 YPC). Coach JTS may have found his feature back of the future.
Coach HD (Falcons): Billy Bowman Jr. (SS)
Coach HD isn’t exactly known as a defensive mastermind — but Billy Bowman Jr. is making him look like one. The rookie safety already has 3 interceptions, showing range and playmaking ability that Atlanta desperately needed. He’s become a surprise anchor in their secondary.
Coach Vet (Buccaneers): Tykee Smith (S)
Everyone thought Antoine Winfield Jr. was the only safety worth mentioning in Tampa Bay, but Tykee Smith has grabbed his own spotlight with 3 interceptions. Coach Vet has gotten steady production from a player who wasn’t even supposed to be this impactful.
Coach Deebo (Saints): Velus Jones Jr. (RB/WR)
Coach Deebo took a gamble by converting Velus Jones Jr. from wide receiver to running back — and it’s paying off. Jones has rushed for 493 yards and 4 TDs, outpacing Alvin Kamara and showing true versatility. One of the boldest moves of the season has turned into one of the smartest.
NFC East
Coach XEV (Cowboys): Joe Milton III (QB)
When Dak Prescott went down, the season looked lost. Enter rookie Joe Milton III, who has thrown for 771 yards and 8 TDs in just two starts with a ridiculous 76% completion rate. Coach XEV has this team looking like a playoff squad again, thanks to Milton’s spark.
Coach Que (Commanders): Jaylin Lane (WR)
With names like Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. on the roster, nobody thought Jaylin Lane would eat. But he’s second on the team in production with 28 catches, 625 yards, and 6 TDs. Coach Que has found a way to maximize the rookie’s speed and playmaking ability.
Coach Burn (Giants): Jaxson Dart (QB)
Coach Burn made the bold move to start rookie Jaxson Dart from day one — and now he’s playing at an MVP level. Dart has 2,774 passing yards and 26 TDs, showing poise beyond his years. This move could define the Giants franchise for the next decade.
Coach Bohmer (Eagles): Azeez Ojulari (EDGE)
With names like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., and Za’Darius Smith, nobody expected Azeez Ojulari to stand out. But he’s tied for the team lead with 3 sacks and is thriving in Coach Bohmer’s rotation. On a loaded defense, Ojulari is carving his own spotlight.
NFC West
Coach CB (Seahawks): Jalen Milroe (QB)
Coach CB rolled the dice starting rookie Jalen Milroe over Sam Darnold, and it’s paying off big. Milroe has 1,839 passing yards, 16 TDs, and a 70% completion rate, while leading Seattle to a 5–2 record. The rookie’s composure is shocking in a stacked division.
Coach Miles (Cardinals): Owen Pappoe (LB)
The Cardinals needed somebody to step up on defense, and Owen Pappoe has done just that. With 4 interceptions and 2 sacks, he’s been a do-it-all force for Coach Miles. Few linebackers in the league are making more splash plays right now.
Coach Spawn (Rams): Tutu Atwell (WR)
Coach Spawn’s Rams brought in Davante Adams, but it’s Tutu Atwell who’s emerged as the surprise weapon. With 26 catches for 439 yards and 4 TDs, he’s proving to be the steady option this offense needs. Outshining Adams wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card.
Coach Ant (49ers): Andrei Iosivas (WR)
Coach Ant has found a hidden gem in Andrei Iosivas. Despite being overlooked behind Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk, Iosivas is tied for the team lead in touchdowns with 5, stacking up 372 yards along the way. A clutch target in key moments, he’s showing the Niners’ depth is dangerous.
When the season kicked off, nobody had Gervon Dexter Sr., Isaac Tesiaa, Trevor Etienne, Billy Bowman Jr., Joe Milton III, Jaylin Lane, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, or Andrei Iosivas on their bingo card for midseason standouts. That’s the beauty of football — every year, fresh names rise to the surface, flipping narratives and rewriting depth charts.
The NFC has been defined this season not by its biggest stars, but by the players who weren’t supposed to be here yet, who weren’t supposed to produce this fast, or who were written off as role players. From Coach JC’s defensive line in Chicago, to Coach Burn’s bold gamble in New York, to Coach CB’s rookie gamble in Seattle — the story has been the same: trust the unexpected, and you’ll find your edge.
These contributors aren’t just filling gaps — they’re changing games. Joe Milton III came in and altered the Cowboys’ entire season outlook. Velus Jones Jr. switched positions and gave Coach Deebo a whole new weapon. Adam Thielen, thought to be washed, is outproducing Justin Jefferson on Coach Drama’s Vikings roster. Time after time, these stories remind us that great coaching isn’t just about managing stars — it’s about discovering hidden ones.
As we enter the back half of the year, the question becomes: who can sustain it? Will Jaxson Dart keep up his MVP pace as defenses adjust? Can rookies like Tesiaa and Bowman continue to shock opponents who start game-planning for them? Will veterans like Tutu Atwell and Adam Thielen still hold their spots when the lights get brighter?
One thing’s for sure — when we look back at this NFC season, it won’t just be about the usual suspects. It’ll be about the underdogs, the surprise weapons, and the overlooked names who became game-changers.
