NFC Secret Superstars for Week 2 of the 2026 Season

In the NFL, star players often steal the spotlight, yet it’s frequently those lesser-known names who step up when it counts the most. These players can be overlooked for various reasons. They might be in smaller markets where their achievements go unnoticed or stuck behind more recognized talents on the depth chart. Sometimes, a coach simply hasn’t realized the potential of a player who could really make a difference.

To shine a light on these unsung heroes, we at SB Nation put together our offseason Hidden Gems and in-season Secret Superstars series. In case you missed it, we’ve already highlighted some players from both the AFC and NFC during Week 1.

So, let’s dive into the NFC Secret Superstars for Week 2! And if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, you might want to check out the SB Nation app for easier access to our content on the go.

Drew Lock, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Over the past few seasons, the Seattle Seahawks have shown a knack for reviving careers at the quarterback position. They pulled Geno Smith back from obscurity during the 2022 to 2024 seasons, and Sam Darnold enjoyed a solid comeback last year with the Minnesota Vikings, eventually winning a Super Bowl.

Now, could Drew Lock be next?

Selected 42nd overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2019 draft, Lock was part of the team’s struggles at QB in the years following Peyton Manning. His inclusion in the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Broncos on March 8, 2022, turned out to be far more beneficial for Seattle than for the Broncos.

Lock served as Smith’s backup from 2022 to 2023, not getting much recognition, and later spent 2024 with the New York Giants as their quarterback after Daniel Jones. He returned to Seattle in 2025 with a contract worth $5 million over two years, $2.25 million guaranteed. While he only managed to complete two passes for 15 yards during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run, he was thrust into the spotlight when Darnold injured his glute just a few plays into the new season against the New England Patriots.

In the Seahawks’ 13-10 victory against New England and a subsequent impressive 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Lock was on fire, completing 35 of 48 passes for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. This gave him a passer rating of 127.3, the highest in the league for quarterbacks taking at least 20% of their team’s snaps. His EPA/Pass of 0.43 ranks fourth among QBs, trailing only Jaxson Dart, Brock Purdy, and Josh Allen.

What stands out most is Lock’s newfound command over an NFL offense—something he hasn’t shown fully before. During the game, he provided a detailed breakdown of his read on Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s touchdown, illustrating his grasp of the play and adjustments he made on the fly.

“We had the motion, pushing a guy out wide to the right, they were showing me ‘shell [two-high coverage], which was disappointing, because I wanted to go to the route that I ended up doing… when they pop, it then becomes my job to avoid the poppers,” Lock explained. “They ended up giving us the look that I was personally hoping for, and it worked out.”

Impressive, isn’t it? That sort of quick thinking on the field is crucial.

The good news for the Seahawks is that Darnold’s recovery is expected soon. But even better? Drew Lock has shown he can hold his own as a starting quarterback, which surely raises questions about where he fits into the team’s future.

Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Davante Adams is certainly familiar to most dedicated football fans. During his peak years with the Packers and Raiders from 2020 to 2022, he was often regarded as the best wide receiver in the league. However, as players mature, their roles tend to evolve. Last season, Adams mainly operated as a red zone threat within Sean McVay’s offense, racking up 15 touchdowns on just 71 receptions. But did anyone expect a massive performance from the 33-year-old against the New York Giants on Monday night?

Probably not. In a 28-6 win for the Rams, Adams caught eight of ten targets for 195 yards and two touchdowns, completely dominating the Giants’ secondary. This wasn’t just short-yardage work; he was making big plays down the field. With Puka Nacua sidelined due to a hip injury, many thought the Rams would lean on their typical 13 personnel, and yes, they did use that formation for over half their snaps. But it was Adams who emerged as the key player throughout the game.

For at least this outing, it looked like the Davante Adams who was on a trajectory for the Hall of Fame for quite some time.

“He’s Wide Receiver 1 to me,” McVay stated after the game, highlighting Adams’ performance. “He ain’t a two. He was special and it showed all night… you could see there’s a lot of trust that he and Matthew [Stafford] have.”

Stafford echoed that sentiment, noting how Adams’ elite skills took center stage, making contested catches and running precise routes: “He’s a guy that can do that, we understand that. I leaned on him bigtime tonight, and he came through for us.”

If Davante Adams can keep producing at this level throughout the season, the Rams’ offense could become quite dynamic.

Devin Lloyd, LB, Carolina Panthers

Now, picture being Bobby Okereke, linebacker for the Panthers. In your team’s crushing 34-3 victory over the Falcons, you put up a decent stat line with six solo tackles and an interception. Yet, all eyes are likely drawn to your teammate, Devin Lloyd, who delivered an historically impressive performance. After signing a new three-year, $45 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed, Lloyd’s recent contributions have made that investment look like a steal.

Lloyd played like an otherworldly mix of Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, racking up seven solo tackles, five stops, two tackles for loss, and a sack. In coverage, he allowed just three completions on six targets for 37 yards and recorded two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, along with three pass breakups.

In fact, according to NFL Research, Lloyd is now among a small elite group of players to achieve a sack, multiple interceptions, and a pick-six in the same game over the last two decades.

After the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales praised Lloyd, saying, “I don’t know if I’ve seen a better performance out of a linebacker in 17 years of coaching in the NFL.” The performance reflected Lloyd’s dedication to studying the game and being in the right positions. “The slant that he picked off there at the end was incredible,” he remarked.

Teammate Bryce Young joined in on the praise, adding that it’s inspiring to see someone like Lloyd work so hard and be such a key part of the team. “That was special… I don’t know if I’ve been a part of something that cool,” he shared. “It was really fun to watch.”

It was a highlight for those following the Panthers. For Falcons fans, it’s yet another tough game to put behind them.