5 under-the-radar players in Survivor 47 heading into the merge

We're one step closer to the merge in Survivor 47. While we haven't reached that stage of the game yet, it's right around the corner. We know the merge (or pre-merge in the new era) is coming in Survivor 47 episode 6. To celebrate the Gata, Lavo, and Tuku tribes coming together, we shared five players who are playing great under-the-radar games on this season.

There are a lot of big personalities in Survivor 47, and for the most part, those players are playing pretty well. Overall, there hasn't been a ton of drama in Survivor 47, but there have been a few instances of feathers getting ruffled.

At this point in the game, it's clear that the drama-free players often have a better chance to move on in the game. The fewer enemies, the better in the new era of Survivor.

Survivor 46 winner Kenzie Petty is the perfect example. She was very clearly on the bottom heading into the merge, but she had no major enemies, decent alliances, and set herself up for success later in the game. There are a few players doing the same thing one season later.

Caroline Vidmar

Caroline is in a great spot heading into episode 6 when the tribes come together. We haven't seen a lot of Caroline's strategy in tribal councils, but we have heard how she speaks about the game, strategy, and social elements. She's developed a close ally in Sue Smey. She's worked closely with Gabe Ortis who would likely shield her from the target getting thrown on her back.

And, we've seen one of the most important things in Survivor, according to Jeff Probst: emotional intelligence. Caroline is already developing good relationships on the journey and reward at the Sanctuary with other players outside of her alliance. There are people who will definitely want to work with her after the merge based on how she's performed in challenges and presented herself to the other players.

She also spied a tricky situation forming between Sue, Gabe, and Tiyana Hallums, and she tried to bring everyone back together. Sue told Gabe that Tiyana threw him under the bus at Sanctuary. Caroline convinced Tiyana to apologize to Gabe for the sake of the alliance. There are clear cracks here, but at least Caroline sees those cracks forming and is trying to patch them.

Rachel LaMont

Rachel is another player who I think is playing a great game so far. She's navigated tricky situations with Andy Rueda, the chicken situation, and some cracks starting to form within her alliance. Obviously, she was also blindsided by Sierra Wright and Sam Phalen flipping on the alliance to vote out Anika Dhar in episode 5. It's not a great look for Rachel to be on the outs, but clearly, she was never the target. I don't think there's any bad blood between her, Sierra, and Sam, but it also opens Rachel up to work with other people once the game opens up a little more.

Again, it sucks being on the wrong side of the blindside, but you'd rather be Rachel than you would be Anika. There's a lot of information about Sierra, Sam, and Andy that Rachel can use, as well. If she can navigate the next few episodes, I think Rachel is strong enough in challenges to make a deep run. Other than, maybe, Genevieve Mushaluk, I don't think there is another player as savvy as Rachel in Survivor 47. We'll just have to wait and see if she gets the opportunity to show it.

Genevieve Mushaluk

Speaking of Genevieve, I couldn't be more impressed with her big move in episode 4 when she got Rome Cooney and Sol Yi, two enemies to work together to take out Kishan Patel. Genevieve, who we didn't see much early in the season, is obviously a much stronger player than many on her tribe expected her to be.

Even after taking out Kishan, she somehow has regained the trust of the whole tribe. It was the perfect move to show loyalty to her people. It eliminated a threat, and it moved her into a power position without drawing the suspicion that she was trying to make a big move. She played it off like Kishan was the threat, but it's clear to me that she's thinking 10 steps ahead of these players. If she gets past the next few votes, she's my pick to win Survivor 47.

Sam Phalen

Originally, I thought Sam's days on the Gata tribe were numbered. It's clear he's the biggest challenge threat left in the game from a physical perspective. He understands strategy and building relationships. He seems likable. Usually, those types of people are targeted, well, right about now, simply because he could run off a few immunity wins.

There's been a lot more to Sam than meets the eye, though. Heading into the merge, he has everything you would want. He has a strong No. 1 ally in Sierra. He's built Andy's trust by basically manipulating him for the first week of the game. I don't see Andy betraying Sam anytime soon. And, he's not playing afraid. He could have easily played the immunity idol he had, but in doing so, he would have broken trust with Andy.

If I'm Sam, I'm trying to keep this alliance together as long as possible. Andy, I'm sorry, has no chance to win. Then, it's just a fight against Sierra to see who wins in the end.

Sierra Wright

The same goes for Sierra! I think she and Sam are playing a much more high-profile game now after the vote to blindside Anika in episode 5. Like, people are going to find out about the blindside, and while they'll respect it, they'll also probably clock it as a threatening move from a strong pair or trio. Like, that's scary if you're a player without a strong alliance heading into the merge.

Sierra walked the line until she couldn't anymore with Sam and Andy vs. Anika and Rachel. I'm surprised honestly that she chose Sam and Andy, but it's possible that Sierra felt like Anika and Rachel were closer than she was with Anika or Rachel. You don't want to be the No. 3 in the alliance, you know?

We'll find out what's next for Sierra and Sam, but I like the move they made. Did it just put a big target on their back, though? Would it have been smarter to stay four strong with Rachel and Anika? Time will tell.

It might be the move that wins Sam or Sierra the game, or it could be the move that lost them the game.

So, those are the players who I think are playing the best in the shadows, which is the goal at this point. If someone comes on a little too strong at the merge, they're going to be voted out. It happens every season.

Survivor 47 episode 6 airs on Wednesday, Oct. 23.