Some are experienced players who have been buried on the depth chart. Some are rookies who fans just haven’t noticed yet, or who were drafted in the middle or later rounds. Some have been making noise in the most hopeful days of training camp and the preseason, but aren’t yet generating enough buzz to enter the average fan’s radar.

These are, in short, the NFL players I believe can be “future hits.” This list has been narrowed down to 32 players, one per team. I saw many of them during my travels across the country for summer training camps. I learned about others through conversations with scouts, coaches, executives and analysts. You’ll see some of those voices included here.

They are ascending players with a little something special to them, or guys who haven’t quite fully broken through. They may play with an edge that stands out, or have a particular skill or certain traits that separates them from others. If they have a lane (special teams, run blocking), they flood it. They’ve got some “stuff” to them.

They are not: Starting quarterbacks, top-10 draft picks, breakout players in 2024 or fantasy football darlings. In fact, I am delighted to share that many of these guys won’t help your fantasy football team. These are the underrated players who will simply be a blast to root for and talk about with your friends, and knowing their names now will put you one step ahead of the crowd.

Arizona Cardinals: Tip Reiman, TE/FB

The Cardinals’ offense will continue to run through its tight ends, and Trey McBride is the star. But look out for the second-year Reiman when Arizona wants to run the ball in 12 personnel (two tight ends) and especially 13 personnel (three tight ends). Reiman brings the Cardinals’ run game to life with a style of blocking that is demoralizing to his opponent.

Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce, OLB/DE

It was evident that the late first-round pick from Tennessee would be a handful when seeing opponents immediately put extra blocking or a chip on him during the preseason. A note from an NFC scout: “If he ever lives football, he could be the answer that ATL has been searching for since John Abraham.”

Baltimore Ravens: Reuben Lowery III, CB

An undrafted free agent rookie who made the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster, Lowery impressed coaches throughout training camp with his football IQ and competitive drive. He also consistently made plays on the ball at just 5-foot-9 and 204 pounds. He was a mechanical engineering major at Chattanooga and was in the rocketry club. What do you do for fun?

Buffalo Bills: Deone Walker, DL

A fourth-round rookie out of Kentucky, Walker was described by an NFC scout as a “mountain of a man with endless possibilities in front alignment variations because of his AA (athletic ability) at that size.”

Carolina Panthers: Corey Thornton, CB

A coaching source called Thornton, an undrafted free agent rookie who made Carolina’s initial 53-man roster, the “most consistent performer of any young guy in camp.” If the Panthers continue to face big questions about their defense this fall, Thornton, who will show up on special teams initially, could see playing time.

Chicago Bears: Ozzy Trapilo, OT

Trapilo was drafted out of Boston College by the Bears in the second round this spring. A senior NFC executive called him a “consistent technician with smarts and football instincts. Will need the game to slow down for him to be at his best where he can use his mind to change up sets and keep rushers off-balance in protection,” and compared his long-term outlook to Rob Havenstein, the starting right tackle for the Los Angeles Rams who is entering his 11th season.

An AFC scout added, “upside player. Tall, traits and talent.”

Cincinnati Bengals: Andrei Iosivas, WR

Bengals fans, of course, are already plenty familiar with Iosivas after he stepped up last season and caught 36 passes for 479 yards (13.3 yards per catch). TikTok is also apparently very familiar with the third-year receiver, who was a sixth-round pick in 2023.

Andrei Iosivas has a growing reputation, on and off the field. (Katie Stratman / Imagn Images)

For the uncool (myself included), Iosivas is one of the better No. 3 receivers in the NFL. The Bengals are stacked at receiver with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Iosivas has a growing chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow that may come in handy this season.

Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr., TE

The Browns are moving Fannin all around the line of scrimmage to maximize his exciting versatility. Quarterback Joe Flacco noted recently that Fannin, a rookie third-round pick, is gaining confidence.

“Glue hands,” an AFC scout said of Fannin. “Crafty before and after the catch, and (I) see him breaking out in 2027.”

Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue, RB

Blue is a fifth-round pick from Texas who must climb a few spots on the depth chart to get touches as a rookie (and the Cowboys have to prove they can actually run the ball this season). But Blue’s speed and versatile potential in the passing game make him a player to watch for the longer term.

Denver Broncos: Pat Bryant, WR

Bryant, a third-round rookie out of Illinois, was recently said to be “ahead of schedule” for his first NFL season by Denver general manager George Paton. Bryant is a big, friendly target who gets open and has reliable hands. Head coach Sean Payton will also lean on his physicality as a blocker.

Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa, WR

If general manager Brad Holmes is convinced about a receiver who he thinks will contribute early, he’s drafting him, regardless of the cost. Such was the case for TeSlaa, whom Holmes traded up 32 spots to select in the third round this spring. Holmes later said TeSlaa was “my favorite wide receiver in this draft. I’m not saying he was the best wide receiver in the draft. But favorite wide receiver in the draft? Yes.”

Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB

I outsourced a little help for this one from The Athletic Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman for — because I am so high on first-round receiver Matthew Golden, but didn’t want to select someone so obvious. Of Cooper, Schneidman said “if he didn’t miss three games in the heat of last season with a hamstring injury, Cooper would’ve been a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Don’t be surprised if the do-it-all linebacker is a Pro Bowler in the near future.”

Houston Texans: Aireontae Ersery, OL

Ersery, a second-rounder this spring, was sometimes considered a bit more of a project/developmental player coming out of Minnesota, but he impressed with his size and length in the preseason — and goodness knows, quarterback C.J. Stroud needs better protection. A senior NFC executive called him a “big man with good length, strength, but average feet and recovery. More of a mauler (and) speed rushers may give him fits early. Duo/power/gap (run) scheme player.”

Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Travis, OL

The Colts were a tough evaluation for me, because they could be so talented at several positions but so much still depends on the quarterback. And of course, we’ve all heard of Tyler Warren, the first-round tight end who may dazzle in his first NFL season. However, an AFC senior personnel executive noted to keep a close eye on Travis, a fourth-round rookie out of Iowa State, as it pertains to this list.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten, RB

Tuten was a fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech who will still have to work his way up the Jaguars’ depth chart to contribute, but who is a tough, fast runner.

An AFC scout called Tuten an “explosive, home-run hitter” for Jacksonville’s new coaching staff and for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OL

Simmons was ready for training camp after missing nearly 10 months of full-speed football. He tore his patellar tendon while playing for Ohio State in October of 2024. Had he been healthy that season, he probably would have been drafted in the top 10. Now, he’ll start at left tackle for a Super Bowl contender as a rookie, and the resilience and discipline required to return from that type of injury stands out among his peers.

An NFC scout put it simply: “Fluid feet, which isn’t fair for someone his size. Patrick Mahomes is in good hands.”

Las Vegas Raiders: Tre Tucker, WR

Tucker was a third-round pick in 2023 out of Cincinnati and could be a top beneficiary of the Raiders’ offseason additions of quarterback Geno Smith and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Tucker is small — just 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds — but separates well and has plenty of speed. He had 47 catches for 539 yards in 2024, but now that he’s paired with Smith and Kelly, this season could be his breakout.

Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris, WR

Harris, a rookie taken in the second round, played fast, was able to extend outside his frame, and showed plenty of versatility in the practice I viewed this summer. A senior NFC executive said that Harris has a “big body with hands/catch radius and feel. Josh Palmer-ish with more wiggle and more catch radius. Plays faster and bigger than you think.”

Los Angeles Rams: Jordan Whittington, WR

While the Rams are set with their 11 personnel depth (three receivers; Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell), I predict it will become extremely difficult to keep Whittington off the field. The second-year player has rotated into run downs with the first team, but when playing receiver with the second team he moves with a different speed and physicality than others.

While the Rams have a plethora of receivers, Jordan Whittington could get a chance to shine on special teams. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)

He could also play fullback in a pinch, and will get a shot at kickoff and punt return duties after excelling there by the end of his rookie season.

Miami Dolphins: Ollie Gordon II, RB

Gordon’s 101 rushing yards after contact in the preseason ranked No. 1 among rookie running backs, per PFF. Of the sixth-round rookie, an NFC scout said “(he’s a) big back with subtle feet. Tough, and he could help Miami salt away leads like former CIN/NE clock-killing Corey Dillon used to back in the day. If he runs hard like he did in the preseason, watch out.”

Minnesota Vikings: Max Brosmer, QB

Do you think I’m nuts yet? I would have picked do-it-all defensive player Josh Metellus, a 2020 sixth-round draft pick, but you can’t write a national feature about a guy and then put him on your under-the-radar list. One thing about going to training camps that is underrated: listening to a really good group of beat writers talk about players coaches love. And in Minnesota, one of them is Brosmer, who made it through cuts and a reshuffling of the backup QB position and now is firmly on a developmental track with the Vikings — albeit low on their depth chart.

Here’s The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on the 24-year-old Brosmer, who I also thought looked great at joint practices: “There is something real here. Maybe it’s a 10-year career as a backup. Perhaps it’s more.”

New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB

Watching Henderson for two days at Vikings-Patriots joint practices this summer absolutely impressed me. Henderson is quiet but moves like a much more experienced veteran, especially in pass protection, and seems on the doorstep of an explosive gain at any moment. He should be a go-to outlet in the passing game immediately for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and could make waves on special teams. One coach I spoke with said Henderson has the makings of “a star.”

New Orleans Saints: Danny Stutsman, ILB

I checked with a couple sources about whether Stutsman should be on this list after watching how pro-ready the rookie looked at practice this summer. One coach responded with an emphatic “yes,” while an NFC executive said, “good range and play (tempo). Wired right. Lack of natural punch and strength as a tackler and take-on player may show up early.”

New York Giants: Theo Johnson, TE

This isn’t exactly a deep cut — Johnson flashed a lot of potential as a rookie last season despite only catching 29 passes in 12 games. Johnson is an athletic, friendly target (also a big one at 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds) whether the quarterback is Russell Wilson or Jaxson Dart. From The Athletic’s Dan Duggan: “The Giants are counting on Johnson to take a major leap in his second season, although an unspecified injury has sidelined him” since the second preseason game. If Johnson is healthy and the quarterback of choice can throw the ball around, it could be a special season.

New York Jets: Braelon Allen, RB

One thing is extremely clear about this version of the Jets: They are going to run the dang ball.

Not many reports about a player get stronger than this one about the second-year Allen, from The Athletic’s Jets beat writer Zack Rosenblatt: “One of the stars of the summer. He looked bigger, faster, stronger and showed improved skills in the passing game too. Coaches raved about him in a way to make me believe he’s going to be a legitimate 1B to Breece Hall’s 1A, if not overtaking him completely as the lead back at some point.”

Philadelphia Eagles: Moro Ojomo, DL

Ojomo, a seventh-round pick in 2023, has drawn praise from inside the Eagles’ building and from analysts outside of it since spring and summer workouts began. Recently, PHLY’s Bo Wulf did a locker room survey of which player teammates felt would break out this season, and Ojomo ran away with the vote. Ojomo will fill Milton Williams’ former role after Williams signed with the Patriots in free agency. He is an especially solid run defender who may gain more confidence — and opportunities — as a pass rusher in 2025.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Yahya Black, DL

An NFC executive said the fifth-round rookie “went to a perfect place” in Pittsburgh. “Ideal 3-4 (alignment) DL body type. Love the play (tempo) and upper body violence. Lack of lower body flex and stiffness will limit his upside as a rusher but he will be a productive pro and could be an eventual first- and second-down starter.”

An AFC scout added, “(he is) the definition of a Pittsburgh Steeler defensive lineman: Size, length and strength.”

San Francisco 49ers: Upton Stout, CB

Buzz about Stout coming out of 49ers camp grew steadily all summer. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound nickel cornerback may be starting in his rookie season and brought a necessary energy to practices in early August. From an NFC executive: “Quick. Athletic. Instinctive in coverage and aggressive in run support. Plays bigger than his size suggests due to wiry strength and consistent toughness. Above all, he’s a fierce competitor.”

Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL

The Seahawks have showed exactly who they hope to be on offense under new coordinator Klint Kubiak: a physical run team, starting up front with Zabel, who looked seriously impressive in his limited live preseason snaps at guard. An AFC scout predicted that Zabel will be “a consistent 10-year pro.”

Grey Zabel, right, has been earning plaudits in Seattle. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR

Egbuka, selected No. 19 overall by Tampa Bay this spring, will play a key role in the offense immediately, especially while starter Chris Godwin recovers from last season’s ankle injury. An NFC executive called Egbuka “one of my favorite players in this draft. Smart. Tough. Will be pro ready. Plug and play, with leadership qualities to boot.”

Tennessee Titans: Chig Okonkwo, TE

Okonkwo flashes all the traits and potential of a true weapon at tight end, but Tennessee’s massive inconsistency at quarterback (and on offense overall) may have stunted his production over his first three seasons. Pairing him with rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward not only should help Ward, but may lead to the bona fide breakout season some have expected from Okonkwo for a while.

Washington Commanders: John Bates, TE

It is perhaps cheating to put Bates, a fifth-year player who signed a $21 million extension with the Commanders this spring, on this list. However, as a No. 2 tight end, Bates is still well under the radar to the larger public — although he’s certainly not underrated by his teammates and coaches. Bates might be the best blocking No. 2 tight end in the NFL right now. Watch him from snap to snap, and thank me later.

(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Top photos: Nick Cammett, Harry How, David Eulitt / Getty Images, Stephen Lew / Imagn Images)