In the world of the NFL, the spotlight naturally gravitates towards the glamour positions. Quarterbacks, star wide receivers, and fearsome edge rushers dominate the headlines and the highlight reels. However, the true foundation of a team’s success is often built in the trenches and the unseen spaces in the middle of the field. From the cerebral center who orchestrates the offensive line to the disruptive nose tackle who wrecks an opponent’s running game, these positions are increasingly vital in the modern, complex game of professional football.
The recent retirement of an elite center like Frank Ragnow serves as a powerful reminder of the immense, often hidden, value these players provide. Their impact may not always show up in fantasy football scores, but it is deeply embedded in advanced statistics and, most importantly, in the win-loss column. This deep-dive analysis shines a light on some of the NFL’s low-key MVPs—players whose outsized impact from the center of the action makes them invaluable cornerstones for their respective teams.
The Pre-Snap General: Zach Frazier, Center, Pittsburgh Steelers
It may seem premature to label a second-year player a “hidden MVP,” but Zach Frazier’s rookie season demonstrated all the hallmarks of a future All-Pro at the center position. The pivot spot on the offensive line has grown immensely in importance, with centers now tasked with a pre-snap mental checklist that is often second only to the quarterback’s. Frazier, even as a rookie, immediately took on these responsibilities for the Steelers, handling protection calls and defensive front identification with the poise of a seasoned veteran. His high football IQ was evident from day one.
Beyond the mental acumen, his on-field performance was stellar. According to Next Gen Stats, Frazier recorded the second-lowest one-on-one pressure rate allowed among all qualifying centers in the league, at just 2.9%. This shows an elite ability to anchor the line and protect the quarterback from interior pressure, a critical factor for success. He is not just a technician; he is also an impressive athlete, with his ability to get to the second level and block linebackers in the run game being a standout feature of his play. Even with a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers joining the team, it is likely that Frazier will continue to handle the bulk of the pre-snap mental load, a testament to the trust he has already earned. As he continues to develop, he joins a class of rising young interior linemen, like Arizona’s Paris Johnson Jr., who are proving that the path to a dominant offense starts from the inside out.
The Defensive Cornerstone: Azeez Al-Shaair, Linebacker, Houston Texans
It is difficult for an opponent to ignore Azeez Al-Shaair on the field; he is a vocal, aggressive, and instinctive linebacker who consistently finds his way to the football. For the Houston Texans, he is far more than just a source of energy; he is the cornerstone of their formidable defense. While the Texans’ young pass rushers and star cornerbacks often grab the headlines, Al-Shaair’s impact, particularly against the run, is profound. This was starkly illustrated during the six-plus games he missed last season due to injury and suspension.
The on-off splits for the Texans’ defense with and without Al-Shaair are staggering. Without him on the field, the defense was highly susceptible to big plays, allowing an explosive run rate of 10.9%—a figure that would have ranked as the worst in the entire NFL over a full season. With Al-Shaair on the field, that rate dropped to a respectable 8.5%. The yards per carry allowed by the Texans plummeted by half a yard when he was playing, transforming them from a bottom-10 run defense into a top-five unit. His impact was just as significant in coverage. His athleticism and intelligence allow the Texans to confidently run their preferred third-down packages of aggressive man coverage and five-man rushes. Without him, the team’s EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback allowed was a dismal 0.16. With him, it was a dominant minus-0.12, a swing that took them from one of the league’s worst pass defenses to the absolute best. He is the versatile, athletic chess piece that unlocks the entire defensive scheme.
The Unblockable Force: Teair Tart, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers
In a league that increasingly values speed and agility on the defensive line, the role of the classic, space-eating nose tackle can sometimes be overlooked. Teair Tart is a powerful reminder of just how dominant such a player can be. After bouncing between teams, Tart landed with the Los Angeles Chargers and became a mauler in the middle of their surprisingly effective defense. While a rotational player who specializes on early downs, his impact on the team’s ability to stop the run is undeniable.
The on-off statistics for Tart are some of the most striking in the league. With Tart off the field, the Chargers’ run defense was porous, giving up 5.2 yards per rush, which would rank 31st in the NFL. With Tart on the field, that number dropped to an elite 3.9 yards per rush, which would have been tied for second-best. The defense allowed a paltry 32.1% success rate on early-down runs with him anchoring the middle, essentially forcing opponents into difficult third-down situations two out of every three times. His ability to occupy multiple blockers, hold the point of attack, and disrupt running lanes is a force multiplier that makes every other player on the defense better. He is a perfect example of a valuable role player whose presence lifts the entire floor of a unit by making the “simple” plays incredibly difficult for the opposing offense.
The Slot Dynamo: Deommodore Lenoir, Defensive Back, San Francisco 49ers
The nickel or “slot” corner has evolved from a niche position into one of the most critical defensive roles in the modern, pass-happy NFL. Deommodore Lenoir of the San Francisco 49ers has quietly established himself as one of the absolute best in the league at this demanding job. A former fifth-round pick, Lenoir has developed into a versatile and explosive playmaker who is equally adept at covering shifty slot receivers, defending the run, and blitzing the quarterback.
His 2024 statistics were elite across the board. He finished tied for second among all slot defenders with five tackles for loss against the run, and his nine passes defended ranked fifth. Most impressively, he allowed a passer rating of just 63.6 when targeted, the fourth-best mark for his position. He is a tough, intelligent, and explosive player who, alongside All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, makes the middle of the field a perilous zone for opposing offenses. In an era where offenses are designed to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties, having a lockdown slot corner like Lenoir is a defensive superpower. He is a key member of a new wave of versatile “slot dynamos” changing the geometry of defensive football across the league.
