Bill Barnwell’s NFL Role Players – The Guys Who Actually Win Games
Let’s be real—everyone obsesses over the Mahomeses and the Aaron Donalds of the league. And sure, those guys are amazing. But you know what separates good teams from great ones? It’s the guys doing the weird, hyper-specific jobs that no one talks about until they absolutely wreck a game. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell—who’s got this uncanny ability to spot what actually matters—just dropped his list of the most valuable specialists. And honestly? Some of these picks might surprise you.
1. The “Wait, Why Is He Lined Up There?” Guy
You ever watch a game and suddenly see a receiver take a handoff like a running back? Or line up in the backfield just to sprint sideways before the snap? That’s the gadget player. Defenses hate these dudes because they’re basically cheat codes—impossible to plan for.
Barnwell’s MVP: Deebo Samuel, 49ers. The man’s not a receiver. He’s a human wrecking ball with hands. Last year, he averaged over 6 yards after getting hit—which is insane for a WR. And remember that Packers playoff game? Ten touches, 133 yards. Just unfair.
Other nightmares for DCs: Cordarrelle Patterson (still doing it at 32 somehow), Kadarius Toney (when he’s not injured).
2. The Slot Corner – Football’s Most Underpaid Job
Here’s the thing about slot corners: they’re guarding the quickest guys on the field, usually with zero help, and no one cares unless they mess up. It’s like being a firefighter—only noticed when things go wrong.
Barnwell’s Top Dog: Kenny Moore II, Colts. Let me put it this way—QBs throwing at him last year had a passer rating worse than if they just spiked every pass. That pick-six against Buffalo? Textbook. He knew the route better than the receiver.
Honorable shoutouts: Taron Johnson (Bills), Kader Kohou (Dolphins—where’d this kid come from?).
3. The “Oh Crap, Our Tackle’s Hurt” Guy
Swing tackles are the most boring-until-you-need-them players in football. Your star LT goes down? Congrats, now some dude who was selling insurance last year is blocking Myles Garrett. No pressure.
Barnwell’s Pick: Ty Nsekhe, Free Agent. Yeah, he’s 37. Yeah, he’s played for half the league. But when Dallas threw him in during 2021? Graded out as one of the best pass blockers in the league. Teams keep calling for a reason.
Other emergency saviors: David Quessenberry (Titans), Yosh Nijman (Packers—seriously, how is this guy not starting?).
4. Backup QBs Who Are Low-Key Better Than Your Starter
We’ve all seen it—some team’s QB1 goes down, and suddenly this random dude comes in and… actually looks competent? The best backups aren’t just placeholders—they’re guys who could probably win you 7-8 games if they had to.
Barnwell’s Choice: Taylor Heinicke, Falcons. Look, the man’s not flashy. But in Washington? Went 12-11-1 as a fill-in, nearly beat Brady in the playoffs, and has a better passer rating than some current starters. That’s not luck—that’s being legit.
Other “wait, why is he a backup?” guys: Andy Dalton (somehow still in the league), Gardner Minshew (the mustache alone deserves a starting job).
The Bottom Line
Here’s what casual fans miss—football games are won in the margins. A perfectly timed jet sweep. A slot corner jumping a route. A backup tackle not getting his QB killed. The next time you see some no-name player make a huge play, remember: those “small” roles? They’re everything.
Bonus: Keep an Eye On These Guys
- Jalen Nailor (Vikings): 4.3 speed and they’re finally using him right.
- Roger McCreary (Titans): Rookie who basically erased slot receivers.
- Tyler Huntley (Ravens): Proved he’s not just a Lamar stand-in.
So next time someone says “it’s all about the stars,” laugh quietly. Because you’ll know better.
Source: ESPN – News