Unsung heroes of 2025 NFL season: One overlooked/surprise contributor from each AFC team

The Ravens' defense had issues in 2025; Travis Jones was not one of them. The 2022 third-round pick enjoyed his best season, generating career highs in sacks (five), QB hits (nine), tackles (47) and tackles for loss (nine). Despite facing double-teams along a Ravens defense that otherwise lacked oomph, Jones led the club with 46 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus, tied for 15th-most among interior defenders. The 26-year-old is also one of the top interior run defenders, able to shed blocks and clog the middle. Baltimore clearly knows his worth, having inked him to a three-year, $40.5 million extension last month. He deserves more love outside of Maryland, as well.

The Bills upped Gilliam's usage significantly in 2025. He took 224 snaps, 52 more than in any of his previous five seasons in Buffalo, and it paid off -- the steamrolling fullback helped open holes for the NFL's leading rusher, James Cook, and pushed Josh Allen for numerous first downs. Gilliam was the best blocking fullback in the NFL on both run and pass plays, mashing open holes on the second level, and he didn't allow a pressure in the passing game, per PFF. Not taking anything away from Patrick Ricard, but Gilliam should have represented the AFC in the Pro Bowl.

The Bengals' defense struggled much of the year, leaving Turner's campaign to get lost in the wash -- but imagine how bad things would have been if the corner didn't have his best NFL season? Turner generated 18 passes defended, tied for third most in the NFL, and recorded the first two interceptions of his career to go along with 40 tackles. The sticky cover man forced a tight-window throw on 32.3% of his targets, per Next Gen Stats, and allowed a 54.8 completion rate. His -6.8 target EPA ranked eighth among outside corners with at least 500 coverage reps.

On a defense with Myles Garrett, sensational rookie Carson Schwesinger and other high-caliber players, it's understandable that Bush's season was overlooked. But the veteran stuffed the stat sheet, gobbling up 124 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions -- two for touchdowns -- eight passes defensed, two forced fumbles, seven tackles for loss and four QB hits. And he was a menace coming downhill against the run. After struggling in coverage in previous seasons, Bush was excellent in 2025, grading out as PFF's second-best LB in that phase of the game.

McMillian had his best season in Year 4, proving sticky from the slot, allowing a -0.21 EPA per target, third-best among nickel corners with a minimum of 400 coverage snaps, per NGS, behind only Jalen Pitre and Derwin James. That's the company McMillian kept in 2025. Despite being targeted more than many top-tier corners -- that will happen when one plays alongside Patrick Surtain II -- McMillian earned a -1.9% completion percentage over expected (fourth best at his position) and allowed 6.2 yards per target while forcing tight-window throws on 17.1% of passes in his direction.

Togiai was on this list even before earning some love during the Texans' postseason run. With big names dotting Houston's menacing defense, it's easy for a player like Togiai to get lost. His impact, however, was far from minimal. The defensive tackle helped key the Texans' run defense, setting up the big-name pass rushers to do their thing on later downs. Among all defensive linemen with at least 200 run snaps in 2025, Togiai's 18.4% run-stop rate was tops (Quinnen Williams was in second at 16.7%). After a meandering start to his career, which began in Cleveland and included stints on multiple practice squads, Togiai found a home in DeMeco Ryans' defense as a run-stuffer. With Togiai on the field (including the playoffs), the Houston defense allowed 3.4 yards per run play. When he was off the field, that figure jumped to 4.6.

The Colts entrusted the second-year lineman with the full-time pivot gig in 2025, and Bortolini proved Indy correct. The 2024 fourth-round pick helped the team get off to its hot start, and he wasn't a reason for the late-season collapse. One of the best run-blockers from the center position, Bortolini helped open holes for Jonathan Taylor; his ability to move at 303 pounds was an asset when it came to reaching the second level in both the ground game and the screen attack. The 23-year-old didn't allow a sack, per PFF, and was tagged with just two penalties, per Pro Football Reference. Bortolini's performance in his first year as a full-time starter portends positive things moving forward for Indy's O-line.

Strange's importance to the Jags offense was evident in the games the tight end missed. Three of the Jags' four regular-season losses came during the five-game stretch for which Strange was sidelined by injury, when the offense wasn't as efficient. His return in Week 12 helped boost Trevor Lawrence and the passing attack. With a knack for getting open against zone coverage, Strange did his best work over the middle and was an outlet for Lawrence when the QB was under duress. Strange's 0.64 EPA per target was tops among all tight ends with at least 50 targets in 2025, ahead of the likes of George Kittle, Colston Loveland and Trey McBride, and his 0.12 EPA per route run was second only to Kittle. In 12 games, Strange put up 540 yards on 46 catches, averaging 11.7 yards per catch, with three TDs -- all career highs. Those numbers are poised to skyrocket if the TE stays healthy for his second year in Liam Coen's offense.

It was a down season in Kansas City, but Bolton remained a force in the middle. The stud linebacker might get shine during prime-time broadcasts, but he has yet to earn a Pro Bowl nod in five years helping anchor Steve Spagnuolo's defense. In 2025, Bolton led the Chiefs with 154 tackles while compiling 10 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and 23 QB pressures, fourth-most among linebackers, per PFF. For stretches, Bolton was the Chiefs' run defense. He created a team-high 17 run stuffs on the season, according to NGS, and opponents generated 3.9 yards per carry on his 437 run snaps. When Bolton left the field, the Chiefs' run defense allowed 8.2 YPC.

There weren't very many heroes -- unsung or otherwise -- during Vegas' dismal three-win season. Stokes, however, had a mostly positive campaign in coverage, recording a completion percentage over expected o -8.4% while allowing a single touchdown and generating five PBUs. His 9.3 yards per catch allowed ranked in the top 11 among corners, per PFF. Among Raiders secondary defenders, Stokes led the squad in passer rating allowed (76.9), per NGS, giving up 0.6 yards per snap (tied for first lowest among all corners in the NFL, min. 200 coverage snaps).

Tart brought the beef to the Chargers' stingy defense. The sixth-year pro led the Chargers with 12 run stuffs, and his 5.3% run-stuff rate was the sixth best among all defensive linemen in 2025, per NGS. With swift but powerful moves, the 315-pounder muddled the middle of offensive lines, taking on double-teams against the run and pushing the pocket in passing situations. He generated 18 total pressures and a sack from his defensive tackle position, per PFF (including playoffs), and he helped key a run defense that finished fourth in the NFL in the regular season in EPA per called rush (-0.16). Little wonder that the Bolts wanted to keep him around; per a Monday report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the team agreed to terms with Tart on a three-year, $37.5 million extension.

The 30-year-old can still play. Douglas wasn't brought to Miami until the last days of August, with the Dolphins in desperate need of corner help. Not only did the ninth-year pro prove he could fill the gap, but he became Miami's top corner, helping turn the defense around. Douglas finished with a team-high 13 passes defensed (7 more than any other Dolphin), snagged two INTs, forced a fumble and earned a sack. He generated a team-high -1.2% CPOE and -2.2 target EPA on the season, per NGS, while PFF credited him with a 67.0 passer rating against, ninth-best among all corners (minimum 200 coverage snaps). Not shabby for a veteran signed after training camp.

The right side of the Pats' O-line has shown none of the issues that arose around the left side -- both Moses and right guard Mike Onwenu have been solid throughout the campaign. I'll lean toward Moses here, given that the 34-year-old proved he's still stout 12 years into his career. After battling through injuries the past couple of campaigns, Moses started all 17 regular-season tilts his first year in New England. He's opened holes in the ground game -- graded by PFF as the Pats' best run blocker this season -- and allowed two sacks in 687 pass snaps (including playoffs). Penalties are a concern, but one cannot deny what the veteran brought to a unit that was questionable entering the season.

The most entertaining Jets plays this season were Williams' returns – that says a lot about Gang Green's 2025 campaign. Still, the 24-year-old was electric, a threat to make a play on nearly every return, thanks to his ability to make players miss in a box. Williams housed two punts for touchdowns and had several big returns wiped out by penalty. He generated 396 punt-return yards, third-most in the NFL. Williams added 837 kick-return yards, with a 92.9% kick-return success rate, per NGS (the second-best mark in the league) and 280 return yards over expected.

With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith soaking up the attention on Pittsburgh's defense, Herbig doesn't get nearly the shine his play warrants. The third-year edge rusher generated a career-high 7.5 sacks, notched the first interception of his career, forced three fumbles, earned three passes defensed and tallied 30 tackles. The rotational pass rusher generated 45 QB pressures with a 13.7 pressure rate on 328 pass rush snaps, per NGS. He was solid against the run and had his best season when it came to dropping in coverage, where he'd struggled at times in previous campaigns.

You're forgiven if you didn't notice Gray having a breakout season on the three-win Titans, especially with most people focusing on Tennessee's offense. However, the second-year linebacker was a tackling menace. The 23-year-old gobbled up 160 total tackles, fifth-most in the NFL, with 95 solo tackles, second most, behind only All-Pro Jordyn Brooks. He also added 15 QB pressures and a sack, per NGS. His coverage skills need some work, but Gray proved he's a building block for the next régime in Tennessee.