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Seven unheralded players set to make major impacts in SB 50
The Carolina Panthers need players like wide receiver Corey Brown to step up in Super Bowl 50. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Seven unheralded players set to make major impacts in SB 50

It's the Super Bowl that gives unheralded players an opportunity to prove themselves on the game's biggest stage.

Last February saw New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler provide his team with one of the biggest plays in franchise history when he picked off Russell Wilson in the final seconds to seal another New England Super Bowl title.

He wasn't the first under-the-radar player to put up a huge performance for his team in the Super Bowl. He won't be the last.

Here are seven such players set to make major impacts in Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

1. Corey Brown, wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Including an 86-yard touchdown catch from Cam Newton, Brown caught four passes for 113 yards and a score against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. This represented the first 100-yard game of Brown's two-year career.

With Aqib Talib slated to go up against Ted Ginn Jr., it's more than likely that Newton will have to look elsewhere for success on Sunday.

Enter into the equation a potentially under-the-radar matchup between Brown and a player in Chris Harris Jr. who is still suffering through a shoulder injury that limited him earlier in the playoffs.

We have seen it over and over again in the history of the Super Bowl. An unassuming wide receiver steps up to make a big play. Most recently, it was Chris Matthews for Seattle last season.

Going back a bit further, David Tyree's helmet catch against the New England Patriots back in Super Bowl XLII helped the Giants pull off one of the biggest upsets in the game's now 50-year history.

There's a chance Brown could be the next in this long line of unheralded receivers to stun the football world.

2. Jordan Norwood, wide receiver, Denver Broncos

If we are going to go with a Carolina receiver, it only makes sense to look at the Broncos' crop of unheralded receivers behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

In this, Norwood is the next logical pass catcher who could make a surprise impact in the game on Sunday.

A sixth-year receiver out of Penn State, the 29-year-old Norwood had caught a total of 36 passes prior to this year — his second with the Broncos.

Playing almost exclusively out of the slot, Norwood came down with 22 catches for just over 200 yards during the regular season. He's added three catches for 26 yards in two playoff games.

Likely going up against Cortland Finnegan when the Panthers go nickel, Norwood has the obvious speed advantage over his veteran counterpart. That could lead to a big play or two throughout the afternoon.

3. Shaquil Barrett, linebacker, Denver Broncos

Barrett, a second-year undrafted free agent out of Colorado State, stepped up big time when DeMarcus Ware was out earlier in the season. Earning a spot in the pass-rush rotation, Barrett recorded 42 tackles and 5.5 sacks in limited playing time.

With Carolina set to focus on both Ware and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Von Miller, Barrett could find himself in position to have a big game.

The only real issue here is whether the youngster will see enough snaps to make a huge impact. If so, watch out.

4. Kurt Coleman, safety, Carolina Panthers

It was 14 years ago that we saw Dexter Jackson earn the MVP award in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' blowout win over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.

That season saw Jackson play at a near Pro Bowl level before intercepting two Rich Gannon passes in the big game. Jackson was only the second safety to win the award.

Showing that the Philadelphia Eagles made a big mistake by releasing him following the 2013 season, Coleman led all NFL safeties with seven interceptions during the regular season. He followed that up by picking off two Carson Palmer passes in the NFC Championship Game.

A ball-hawking safety with a nose for the ball, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Coleman step up big time in this game.

His task will be relatively simple. Make sure that Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels don't have success up the middle. And if Manning does decide to look in that direction, the nine picks Coleman has in 18 games this year tells us a story of a safety who will be more than ready to create some havoc.

5. Ed Dickson, tight end, Carolina Panthers

Most of the focus here is going to be on Greg Olsen, who was among the best receiving tight ends during the regular season. Using a combination of T.J. Ward and Denver's solid cover inside linebackers, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and Co. have the personnel to match up against Olsen.

However, two tight end sets could potentially cause some issues for Denver's defense. That will be taken to an entirely new level when Dickson, considered a blocking tight end, lines up in the offensive backfield.

We saw this create mismatches during the regular season. It's a scenario that forces either a defensive end or an outside linebacker to cover Dickson.

And while Dickson is known more for his blocking ability since coming over from Baltimore back in 2014, it's important to note that he's more than capable of catching the ball.

It might not be in the form of five-plus receptions and a 100-plus yards, but there's a decent chance Dickson will make his name known before all is said and done on Sunday.

6. Ryan Harris, offensive tackle, Denver Broncos

Tasked with protecting Manning's blindside when Ryan Clady was lost for the year following a preseason injury, Harris has played exceptionally well. He allowed the seventh-fewest sacks among regular starting left tackles during the regular season — an indication that he will be more than up for the task come Sunday.

He's going to have to be with the likes of Jared Allen and Mario Addison slated to be lined up against him in the trenches.

That's going to be the biggest key here. We know Carolina will have the advantage on the right side, so Harris needs to step up and provide a clean pocket for Manning. If that doesn't happen, the Broncos are going to be in a world of hurt.

7. Mike Remmers, offensive tackle, Carolina Panthers

Simply due to the philosophy Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips uses, we aren't entirely sure whom Remmers will be going up against on Sunday. Denver does a tremendous job moving its pass-rushing outside linebackers around.

Even then, we do know that Remmers' performance will be key on Sunday. He will likely see a combination of Derek Wolfe, DeMarcus Ware and Shane Ray — three pretty darn good pass rushers.

With Michael Oher playing exceptional football on the left side, Remmers can make Cam Newton's job that much easier with a solid performance come Sunday. Based on what was an uneven regular-season performance from the right tackle, that's going to be key here.

Can you name every Denver Broncos starting quarterback since John Elway?
SCORE:
0/15
TIME:
5:00
1999-2002
Brian Griese
1999
Chris Miller
2000-2001
Gus Frerotte
2002-2003
Steve Beuerlein
2003-2006
Jake Plummer
2003
Danny Kanell
2003
Jarious Jackson
2006-2008
Jay Cutler
2009-2011
Kyle Orton
2009
Chris Simms
2010-2011
Tim Tebow
2012-2015
Peyton Manning
2015, 2017
Brock Osweiler
2016-2017
Trevor Siemian
2016-2017
Paxton Lynch

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