10 unheralded NFL players set to make major impact in Week 7

A new running back in Dallas who could be given the keys to the Cowboys offense. A former backup for the Legion of Boom playing well with the Philadelphia Eagles. A former Gridiron Developmental Football League player making his mark in the Bayou.

These are among the 10 unheralded players set to make a major impact during Week 7 of the NFL season.

1. Christine Michael, running back, Dallas Cowboys

With Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden both struggling to make their mark behind an elite-level offensive line, the Cowboys have been giving Michael first-team reps during practice. A decision that seems like it came out of left field might very well be the jump start Dallas needs on offense.

Void of any NFL success, Michael was considered a high-upside player when he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Never really finding a place in the running back rotation behind Marshawn Lynch, Michael was traded to Dallas immediately prior to the start of the regular season.

Based on the tape we saw at Texas A&M, Michael has more upside behind the Cowboys offensive line than both Randle and McFadden. Going up against a New York Giants defensive line that was continually pushed off the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, Michael should have some nice holes to run through. If he gets the necessary touches, and every indication points to that happening, Michael could very well be a surprise performer in Week 7.

2. John Brown, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals

Brown is unheralded from a national perspective, but those in the desert absolutely know what he brings to the table. The second-year receiver is coming off a 10-reception, 196-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Overall, he has caught 44 passes for 497 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Now going up against a Baltimore Ravens defense that is yielding a 63 percent completion rate to wide receivers and was just torched by Colin Kaepernick through the air, Brown is going to have himself a heck of a game on Monday night. Look for another 100-yard performance in a "get right" game for the Cardinals.

3. Chris Maragos, safety, Philadelphia Eagles

A former member of solid defenses in San Francisco and Seattle, Maragos is finally getting the playing time to make an impact. As part of a three-man safety rotation in Philadelphia, Maragos finds himself in the game when Malcolm Jenkins moves to corner.

Playing at a high level thus far this year, it's going to be interesting to see how Maragos performs going up against Greg Olsen. This one individual matchup in specific defensive packages could play a major part in the outcome of the game, especially with Eagles linebackers going through injury-plagued campaigns.

4. Landry Jones, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger practiced in a limited capacity this week, but all signs from Pittsburgh are pointing to Jones making his first NFL start. Following a tremendous second half performance last week, Jones has a chance to lead Pittsburgh to yet another win prior to Big Ben's imminent return — likely next week.

At 4-2 on the season, Pittsburgh has a golden opportunity to keep pace with an undefeated Cincinnati Bengals team in the AFC North. Even if it is Jones under center here, the Kansas City Chiefs poor pass defense should enable him to have success through the air with the likes of Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant catching passes on the outside.

What makes this potential matchup so interesting is that Pittsburgh had such little confidence in Jones that it signed Michael Vick during the preseason. Vick had single-digit passing yards in the second half before being pulled in favor of Jones. If the latter is able to go into Kansas City and come out with a win, it will represent a dramatic turnaround for the young quarterback in the eyes of the franchise.

5. Ben Watson, tight end, New Orleans Saints

Watson played in 152 NFL games prior to last week's outing against the Atlanta Falcons. During that time, he put up double-digit targets 10 times. He was targeted 12 times against Atlanta. In those previous 152 games, Watson never caught more than 10 receptions in a game. He caught 10 against the Falcons. Was this some sort of a fluke or has Watson found a way to help Drew Brees in the passing game?

We will find out Sunday exactly how much of a role Watson will have in the Saints passing game. Going up against an Indianapolis Colts defense that is yielding a 71 percent completion rate to tight ends, Brees would be smart to attack the middle of the field in this game. If so, Watson could have another big outing in what has to be considered a tight end friendly offense.

6. Marcus Gilchrist, safety, New York Jets

Through five games this season, Gilchrist has given up just four receptions for 34 yards on 12 targets. He's been one of the biggest surprises for an extremely surprising Jets club heading into an all-important AFC East matchup with the defending champion New England Patriots.

While Gilchrist has played at a Pro Bowl level thus far, he's facing the biggest test of the young season in the form of Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski.

It will be interesting to see if Todd Bowles and Co. allow the safety to go up one-on-one against Gronkowski. If not, it's likely that David Harris will provide underneath coverage.

Either way, Gilchrist can make a major statement in helping the Jets attempt to overtake New England for first place heading into November.

7. Neiron Bell, linebacker, Oakland Raiders

This rookie fifth-round pick from Florida finally started seeing regular action in the Raiders last game back in Week 5. It became a necessity with Curtis Lofton struggling a great deal in coverage. That was magnified by the Raiders giving up some huge games to tight ends earlier in the year.

In fact, players at that position put up an average of eight receptions for nearly 100 yards in the first four games. Once Bell took over for Lofton in nickel packages against the Denver Broncos, this unit didn't yield a single reception to tight ends.

It's a whole different ball game this Sunday against a tight end in Antonio Gates who has put up 18 receptions on 27 targets in the two games since returning from suspension. If Bell is able to hold his own here, he could very well be the answer at this position for a vastly improved Raiders team.

8. Randy Gregory, defensive end, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas might not have a whole bunch of advantages against the New York Giants heading into Sunday. Though, we are pretty sure its pass rush will be able to find a way to get to Eli Manning. Over the past two games, Manning has been pressured 33 times. Sadly for the Giants, that came against two teams in the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles who don't pack much of a punch from a pass-rush standpoint.

For his part, Gregory is playing in his first game since suffering a high-ankle sprain in his regular season debut against these very same Giants back in Week 1. That game saw the rookie pass rusher put pressure on Manning throughout the night.

He will likely be lining up against right tackle Marshall Newhouse with Greg Hardy going up against Ereck Flowers. Considering the Giants will have to send double teams the rookie left tackle's way to fend off Hardy, Gregory will find himself in one-on-one situations against Newhouse, who Pro Football Focus grades out as the fifth-worst offensive tackle in the NFL this year.

9. Delvin Breaux, cornerback, New Orleans Saints

Mainly due to injuries and poor performances, this former Gridiron Developmental Football League (that exists) player has been thrown into action in his first NFL season. He's responded by playing better than any other defensive back on an otherwise poor unit. Through six games, Breaux has allowed just 45 percent of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed.

Likely going up against a combination of Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief in this one, the youngster could help New Orleans shut down one side of the field. He's done this through six games, so it wouldn't be surprising to see that accomplished again on Sunday.

10. Mark Barron, linebacker, St. Louis Rams

That's not a typo. The Rams are actually listing this former safety as their starting weak-side linebacker with Alec Ogletree lost for the season.

While no one expects Barron to perform up to that level, he's going to have to play a heck of a game to help the Rams fend off a tight end in Gary Barnidge who has been studly in the passing game this year. Including a two-touchdown performance last week, Barnidge has put up 23 receptions and five touchdowns in his past four games.

It will be interesting to see how much Barron actually drops back into coverage or whether the Rams just allow both their safeties and their nickel back to take care of the coverage here. Though, they might not have the luxury of doing this against a vastly improved Browns passing offense.

Check out Vincent's other work on eDraft.com and follow him on Twitter @VincentFrankNFL.