You can almost taste the 2017 NFL season, with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs kicking things off Thursday night.
While there are plenty of household names for fans to look forward to watching, there are even more players who most have barely heard of. But all it takes is a few highlight-reel (or lowlight-reel) plays to get noticed.
Here is one player from every team who you may not know at the moment, but will by the time Week 17 wraps up in January:
NFC | AFC
DE Chris Harris, Bengals
Harris will have to fight for snaps, with starters Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap and rookie Jordan Willis ahead of him, but the preseason standout could make a big impact in his limited role. Harris totaled 14 combined pressures in Weeks 1 and 2 of the preseason, and got one sack in Week 3, according to Pro Football Focus.
WR Zay Jones, Bills
Following the trade of Sammy Watkins, Buffalo needs its second-round pick, Jones, to step up in a big way. Luckily, the 22-year-old's ability to win contested catches and versatility should make Bills nation forget about what could have been with Watkins - even just a little.
S Justin Simmons, Broncos
If you're looking for the reason why the Broncos released three-time Pro Bowler T.J. Ward, Simmons is it. The second-year safety has been named a starter after a strong preseason. He should bring more youth and sideline-to-sideline speed to an already standout secondary, and is well-placed to succeed thanks to the presence of top cornerback duo Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.
WR Kasen Williams, Browns
Williams stood out so much during the preseason for the Seattle Seahawks that Richard Sherman blasted the team for releasing him. The Seahawks' loss was the Browns' gain, who claimed Williams as a high-ceiling prospect in a receiver room that needs more talent. Once Williams gets up to speed, he could become a favorite of DeShone Kizer.
WR Chester Rogers, Colts
The reason the Colts felt comfortable moving on from the past regime's first-round mistake, Phillip Dorsett, was the emergence of slot receiver Rogers. He had 273 yards last season, and could at least triple that production in 2017 if Luck's absence is short.
K Younghoe Koo, Chargers
It's hard for a kicker to become a household name, but Koo is already known on the Internet for this viral sensation. Even more impressive is that the undrafted free agent managed to beat out veteran Josh Lambo for the Chargers' starting job. In a time when specialists are becoming stars, and with L.A.'s offense set to put up a ton of points, Koo will likely soon be known for more than just his trick shots.
DE Chris Jones, Chiefs
Unfortunately for Jones, the most memorable thing about him so far is his infamous wardrobe malfunction at the 2016 NFL Combine. However, the second-rounder put together a solid rookie season, displaying impressive athleticism and pass-rushing skills. Jones should be the key to the Chiefs remaining one of the league's top defense.
WR Jakeem Grant, Dolphins
Grant didn't have a catch in his rookie season, as he struggled to adjust to the NFL level and looked in danger of being cut this offseason. Instead, it seemed to click for the receiver, who should be Miami's main kick returner. His quickness and talent for explosive plays should bring an added dimension to the Dolphins' offense.
DE Yannick Ngakoue, Jaguars
A curse of playing for the perennially underwhelming Jaguars is good performances from lesser-known players often fly under the radar - even when you put up eight sacks as a rookie, like Ngakoue. The defensive end needs to work on his run defense and diversifying his pass-rushing repertoire, but he's still set to garner some significant attention.
S Marcus Maye, Jets
First-rounder Jamal Adams will likely dominate the headlines thanks to his hard-hitting playing style and penchant for spectacular plays near the line of scrimmage. However, all of that will only be possible because of fellow rookie Maye's ability to roam the field, as well as make tackles. In what should be a long season for the Jets, their young safety tandem will be one of the few highlights.
LB Kyle Van Noy, Patriots
Every season, a member of the Patriots comes out of nowhere to produce an outstanding season - it's the Bill Belichick guarantee if you will. In 2017, that player could be Van Noy, who helped fill in for Jamie Collins after a midseason trade. The young linebacker doesn't boast outstanding athleticism, but is more than capable of holding up in coverage and would make a solid pair with Dont'a Hightower.
DT Eddie Vanderdoes, Raiders
Injuries late in Vanderdoes' college career meant he fell to the Raiders in the third round, and they will likely be grateful he did. For too long, the interior of Oakland's defensive line has been a weakness, but Vanderdoes looks like he can be the first step to fixing the issue once and for all after an eye-catching training camp.
TE Maxx Williams, Ravens
The Ravens sorely need someone to emerge on offense after injuries to Dennis Pitta and Kenneth Dixon. Williams could be their man. He allayed concerns about his health following a rare knee surgery with a nice 40-yard catch in the Ravens' second preseason game.
DT Javon Hargrave, Steelers
It's hard to get noticed as a nose tackle, but if you see James Harrison, T.J. Watt, and Co. bearing down on the opposing quarterback, it might be because of the havoc Hargrave is causing in the center of the defensive line. The second-year lineman isn't your normal space-eating nose tackle; he can create pressure himself due to his surprising agility.
WR Braxton Miller, Texans
Most know Miller as Ohio State's starting quarterback from 2011-13, but he made the transition to receiver in his final year at college and was a third-rounder a year ago. The jump to the NFL is a hard one for nearly all rookies, but especially one still learning the nuances of the position. When it does click for Miller, though, he possesses the kind of lightning-quick speed and agility that could make him a monster out of the slot early in the year with Will Fuller sidelined.
S Kevin Byard, Titans
True center fielders are rare, and while he has a long way to go, Byard is one of the candidates to succeed Earl Thomas and Eric Berry as the preeminent free safeties in the league. He was outstanding in coverage during his rookie season, and should only be better in 2017 thanks to the addition of Johnathan Cyprien - a run-stopping safety who nicely complements Byard's skill set.
NFC | AFC