While the NFL is full of ultra-talented players who are the best in the world at what they do, there are only a handful of true superstars who transcend the sport. They're guys who even your mom has heard of; guys who have their own brand; guys who can show up on "Ellen" without seeming odd.
Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr., and J.J. Watt are all at that level - and they are all expected to miss the remainder of the 2017 season due to injury, leaving a significant void in the league-wide spotlight.
But with 11 weeks remaining in the regular season, there's still plenty of time for younger players who've been waiting their turn to crack the top ranks of NFL superstardom. Here are five mid-level stars who could finish this campaign at the elite level of popularity and importance.
Deshaun Watson
Everyone who meets Watson seems to come away with the same realization that he's a special spirit.
The former college star who led Clemson to back-to-back national championship games and donated his first NFL game check to Texans cafeteria workers affected by Hurricane Harvey has similar off-field qualities to Watt. He's not afraid to bomb it deep to DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, or to tuck the ball and try weaving through defenses.
Though it's only five starts into his NFL career, Watson seems to have it all.
Todd Gurley
The Los Angeles Rams running back is already the face of the franchise and the best offensive player in Hollywood as the region gets accustomed to hosting professional football.
Gurley, 23, has rebounded strongly from his sophomore slump under new head coach Sean McVay, who's found creative ways to use his star runner. If Gurley can continue his MVP-like pace, he could become the NFL's next household name and emerge in L.A. as the first clear-cut superstar on the relocated Rams or Chargers.
Dak Prescott
Without Ezekiel Elliott for the next six weeks, the Cowboys will become solely Dak's team, whether he likes it or not.
Personality-wise, Prescott has said and done all the right things, though it's been easier with Elliott sucking up the negative attention off the field and the opposition's attention on it. Playing in Dallas will definitely put Prescott in the league-wide spotlight, but whether he can permanently be the man will depend on how he leads the Cowboys' offense, and how he reacts in the media.
Myles Garrett
It's only two games into the first overall pick's career, but with three sacks in that span - including on his very first snap - Garrett's off to a great start.
He's shown personality and creativity early on, saying he was hoping for a "fat guy's touchdown" in his debut and signalling his return from injury with a cryptic tweet. His athleticism is tough to top, and he's got a smile that's easy to imagine on magazine covers.
Being a defensive player in Cleveland will make Garrett's climb to superstardom a little bit higher, but the Texans weren't seen as a popular franchise before Watt took over either.
Carson Wentz
The North Dakota native is off to a solid start, keeping his team atop the NFC through six games.
The second-year quarterback has the personality and background to capture the hearts of Middle America (if he hasn't already). Like Prescott, Wentz has navigated the media well, giving credit to his teammates after wins and taking the blame after losses. It might help if he made some stronger statements or continued to donate his game checks to charity, but Wentz seems to be narrowing in on the "let my actions speak louder than my words" personality.
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
