i Register
In some senses, also-ran is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
noun
A person or animal who competed in a race, or other competition, but did not win.
A loser; a person or thing soon to be forgotten.
It also turned Palmer from an also-ran into a challenger.
I have 37 actors and actresses I would supply for television and radio work and then I have maybe 150 to 200 also-rans who get extra work and television commercials.