Fansided

10 NFL players ready to become household names in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball before he is stopped by linebacker Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 08: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball as D.J. Reader #98 of the Houston Texans and Zach Cunningham #41 pursue during the second half at NRG Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Denver defeated Houston 28-24. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 08: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball as D.J. Reader #98 of the Houston Texans and Zach Cunningham #41 pursue during the second half at NRG Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Denver defeated Houston 28-24. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Keep an eye on these performers who are on the verge of big things in 2020.

In this day and age of daily coverage when it comes to the National Football League, seemingly every player who suits up for the 32 franchises is known. Of course, the game has its share of superstars as well as any number of solid performers who aren’t necessarily in the spotlight on a consistent basis.

But here is a look at 10 up-and-comers who are about to earn a lot more attention. Be it the switch to a new team or a player picking up from a late-season surge in 2019, each of these players figure to stand out more than they have during their careers to date. And that’s great news for each of the teams employing these talented performers.

10. DT D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

When you are the worst team in the league vs. the run and also an organization with a reputation of not spending a lot of money in free agency, you would have to strike gold immediately in the NFL draft to rectify this situation.

But the Cincinnati Bengals had a change of philosophy this offseason and opened up their check books for Houston Texans’ defensive tackle D.J. Reader. Via Spotrac, he inked a four-year, $53 million dollar deal with the team from the Queen City. He will pair inside with perennial Pro Bowler Geno Atkins and should make an immediate difference for a defensive unit that also gave up the fourth-most total yards and 42 offensive touchdowns in 2019.

Home/NFL