When it comes to success in the NFL, superstars may dominate the conversation, but more often than not, it’s the guys you don’t know who make the plays needed. when is They are needed. Such players can be rated low for all reasons. Perhaps they play in a small market, and the media is not properly reporting their exploits. Maybe they’re hidden deep in the chart behind big names that might not do that much. Or, maybe a coach never knew that someone needed height to get the best results for the team.
Whatever the reason, we at SB Nation always love to bring you the most underrated names. Offseason hidden gems and the then-Secret Superstars series. You can also find the AFC and NFC Secret Superstars for the 2026 season. Right here.
Here are our AFC Secret Superstars for Week 4 of the 2026 regular season. And if you haven’t already, Download the new SB Nation appSo read our stuff better and join the conversation wherever you are!
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
When the Dolphins lost running back D’Evon for the rest of the season with a torn ACL against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, that was another blow to an already “intelligently tanked” team. A lot more dead space to clean up (184,010,686) of the amount on the list ($105,443,071) at 51. The Dolphins signed Achane to a four-year deal. A $64 million contract extension with $27.378 million due this season — one of the few major expenditures allowed — was actually enjoyed for two regular season games before everything went south.
Some men (and groups) have all the luck.
However, in the Dolphins’ 15-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and former head coach Brian Flores declared the NFL’s most insanely effective defense, backup Ollie Gordon made his presence felt. The 2025 sixth-round draft pick from Oklahoma State is taller than Oklahoma State at 6’2″ and 225 pounds against Achan’s scatback style, but it all worked against a Vikings defense that came into Week 4 with the third-lowest EPA in rushing (-0.25) and the fifth-lowest rushing percentage in 9th place. carries (3.52, tied with the Dolphins, among all teams), and the seventh-fewest yards per touchdown (2.48, tied with the Chicago Bears).
No one expects Gordon, who has never put up more than 46 rushing yards in an NFL game and rushed 17 times for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 3 against the Vikings, after suffering an injury. Gordon ran the ball nine times for 100 yards and another touchdown, averaging 11.11 yards and 8.89 yards after each carry, as well as a rushing percentage of 44.4%, and an EPA of +0.68 per rush. Teaming up with an offensive line intent on blowing open gaps to his advantage, Gordon looked at every starting power/stop with incredible juice.
“I thought Ollie did a great job,” Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said postgame. “I thought we could run the ball.” We had some big runs but I thought Ollie stepped up and did a really good job. Obviously, I miss him (Achan) now, but that’s where we are. And speaking to those people last night in front of the group, I think faith is important. I think these losses are serious, I know that our process is correct.
It’s hard when every positive step has to come with all those caveats, but Ollie Gordon helped that belief to an unexpected degree on Sunday.
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of tunnels… It’s brutal that fifth receiver Tyquan Thornton had the game of his life in Kansas City’s 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, as he also sprained his ankle on his biggest play of the day. Selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Baylor, Thornton was first released by the team on November 16, 2024, and the Chiefs signed him to their practice squad three days later. Over time, Thornton proved himself to bag a two-year, $11 million contract last March with $7.4 million guaranteed, and was well on his way to getting all that scratched.
At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, Thornton is more of a speed/run receiver than a tackle, but he was quick to counter the Raiders’ surprisingly stout defense. That defense went on five eight targets for a career-best 111 yards and a career-best two touchdowns, including Kenneth Walker’s game-winning 55-yarder with 3:55 left in the game.
Thornton’s ankle was put back in place by the doctors (OUCH) and is apparently out for a while – Early estimates are 3-4 months. That’s one reason why the Chiefs are considering a Tyreek Hill reunion, because they need that download juice from someone. And Thornton was offering him more than ever.
“It’s tough when you see your teammates, especially a guy in Tiquan who’s a great father, a great husband and his attitude. I mean, you guys wrestled with him, you know his attitude is unbelievable,” Andy Reid said postgame. He’s good for the team, and he’s kind of the leader of the team there. For that to happen, especially with the year he’s in – he’s had an amazing year up to this point, and he’s had a great game to top it off. It’s hard for all men to see.
A tough one indeed, hopefully, Thornton can play some more this season.
Adin Huntington, DL, Cleveland Browns
The bad news for the Cleveland Browns defense in Thursday’s 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers is that defensive lineman Mason Graham, who has been unstoppable this season, is out with MCL and ankle sprains and could be sidelined for a while. The relatively good news is that Mike Rutenberg’s defense has some dudes ready to step into the interior. So did Mike Hall Jr. and Malik Collins, as well as Adin Huntington, a 2025 undrafted free agent from Tulane, who was overlooked in the draft because he was viewed as a “tweener” at 6’1 and 281 pounds.
Regardless of his pre-draft status, Huntington threw it all away with the Steelers’ offensive line. In a career-high 48 snaps, he had a sack, six total pressures and several turnovers that left Steelers tight end Troy Fatown and linebacker Mason McCormick in some tough spots.
To put it all together: Super edge Jared Quoth faced Fataun with 19 pass-rush reps, taking exactly one quarterback pressure off him. Huntington faced Fountain with 13 pass-rush reps, resulting in a sack and four of his total pressures.
Huntington went from an afterthought to an important player in a hurry, and he’s grateful for the opportunity.
“A year ago (it was) just kind of, you know, go out here and just play my game and play football and do whatever I have to do to make the team. Huntington said a month ago.. “Not to say it’s not my goals and objectives this year, I’m coming in with a little more goals and plans and really just continuing to grow into a better football player. Because, you know, I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to be a one-time UDFA wonder. Continue to grow into the player that I want to be, and what I hope to become.”
With Cleveland’s lively defensive fronts, this could be just the beginning for Mr. Huntington.