NFL's most intriguing players down final stretch
— -- As the playoffs take shape and the regular season winds to a close, I'm taking a look at?players with captivating storylines.
From players who could affect the playoff picture to veterans who have questions about their futures to rookies making impacts, here are the most intriguing players down the stretch:
Players who could affect the playoff race
Khalil Mack, OLB | Oakland Raiders
Thomas Rawls, RB | Seattle Seahawks
Justin Houston, LB | Kansas City Chiefs
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE |? New York Giants
Ladarius Green, TE | Pittsburgh Steelers
Devonta Freeman & Tevin Coleman, RBs | Atlanta Falcons
George Fant?& Bradley Sowell, OTs | Seattle Seahawks
Ezekiel Ansah, DE | Detroit Lions
After 14.5 sacks last season, Ansah was considered the next superstar pass-rusher. But he doesn't have a sack in 2016, and last week he revealed he is playing despite a high-ankle sprain that will nag him through the rest of the season. The Lions, who are tied for 26th in the league with 21 sacks this season, need Ansah to return to his 2015 form -- quickly.
Veterans?who have questions about their future
Kirk Cousins, QB | Washington Redskins
Le'Veon Bell, RB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Blake Bortles, QB |? Jacksonville Jaguars
Brock Osweiler, QB?|? Houston Texans
Martellus Bennett, TE | New England Patriots
Tyrod Taylor, QB | Buffalo Bills
Rookies making an impact
Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys
RBs Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos?|? Rob Kelly, Washington Redskins?| Paul Perkins, New York Giants
Deion Jones &? De'Vondre Campbell, LBs & Keanu Neal, S | Atlanta Falcons
Javon Hargrave, NT,? Artie Burns, CB & Sean Davis, S | Pittsburgh Steelers