David Montgomery, Parker Washington, and Kwity Paye are the AFC’s Week 1 Secret Superstars
Superstars may lead the discussion when it comes to success in the NFL, but more often than not, it’s the guys you barely know who will make the plays needed when they’re needed. Such players can be underrated for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps they’re playing in a smaller market, and the media isn’t appropriately trumpeting their […]
David Montgomery, the running back for the Houston Texans, emerged as a secret superstar in the AFC during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Despite the Texans' defense allowing a high number of yards and points to the Buffalo Bills, Montgomery's performance was nothing short of impressive. He rushed for 60 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, along with catching three passes for 19 yards and another touchdown.
This marked the first time a player had scored three touchdowns in his debut with a new team since Saquon Barkley's debut with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Montgomery's impact on the run game, which had been underwhelming in the previous season. Meanwhile, Parker Washington, the sixth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, also stood out in Week 1.
After struggling in his first two seasons, Washington had a breakout game, catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. His performance led him to rank fifth in targets, receptions, and receiving yards among NFL receivers, showcasing his versatility and ability to make plays from various formations.
These two players exemplify the importance of underrated talents in the NFL, as their contributions were crucial in their respective teams' Week 1 victories.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
