5 players having great seasons under the radar

With over 1,700 players in the NFL, it's tough to keep track of how good or bad everyone is playing - especially if you don't know who they are.

Some players' names are brought up once and forgotten, while others never seem to get in the spotlight until the season is over.

Through seven weeks of NFL action, here are five players having a great year you may not know about.

Kerry Hyder, Lions

While he's cooled off recently, the Lions' defensive end grabbed a hold of the league sack lead through the first four weeks, producing five sacks in that stretch.

Since then, opposing defenses have taken note of Hyder, who appeared in just one game during his rookie season last year, but he's still been able to create pressure and help his team to three straight wins.

Lorenzo Alexander, Bills

Who leads the league in sacks so far this year? Is it Von Miller? Khalil Mack? Chandler Jones? Nope, it's Lorenzo Alexander.

The outside linebacker has helped turn around the Bills' pass-rush that ranked 31st last season. In his 11th season on his fifth team, Alexander is enjoying far and away his most productive season. Previous to joining the Bills, the 33-year-old's best year included just two-and-a-half sacks.

Michael Thomas, Saints

There was plenty of buzz around Thomas coming into the season, but for whatever reason, his name hasn't been brought up much since the year kicked off. It should be, though.

Thomas leads his team as well as all rookies in the league with 36 catches. He sits just 49 receiving yards and one touchdown short of the team lead in those categories, as well.

Dennis Pitta, Ravens

Once upon a time, Pitta was Joe Flacco's favorite target, but after a series of potentially career-ending injuries, he disappeared from the NFL's eye.

Now that he's back in full health, the 31-year-old sits 10th in league receptions, second among tight ends, and first on his own team. If he keeps up this pace, Pitta could be a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year after missing all of last season.

A.J. Bouye, Texans

Plenty of cornerbacks have started off hot this season giving the debate for best in the league lots of options, but no player at that position has a higher Pro Football Focus grade than Houston's A.J. Bouye (88.9).

While the team had to place 2015 first-round pick Kevin Johnson on injured reserve this week, they should be very confident with Bouye able to fill in. He's yet to grab an interception, but has six pass deflections and one sack. Without J.J. Watt available, Bouye has been a major part of the Texan's sixth-ranked pass defense.