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Anderson was not Payton, and the later-era Mike Ditka Bears could never approach the heights reached by the 1985 Bears. ", Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, Pro Bowl appearances (AFL All-Star Game): Two (1965, 1967). Tom Jackson. He is also infamous for admitting on ESPN Radio that he once purposely let Packers defender Sean Jones sack Scott Mitchell so the struggling quarterback would get knocked out of a game. On the final play a year later, he picked off a Roger Staubach pass in the end zone that put the Cowboys to rest. McLaurins route running continues to improve while routinely making contested catches look easy. "Hate to say it, but I do believe I should be there (in Canton)," Marshall once said. While Graham's sack numbers have never hit double digits, he remains a complete player and Super Bowl champion. How he slipped through the cracks for 13 years remains one of the unsolved mysteries in pro football. He must either play for teams so good that they overshadow his accomplishments, or teams so bad that he had to do it all by himself. "Stanley Steamer" could run every route and was hell on wheels with the ball in his hands. ), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl championships: Two (1974, 1975). NFL Shanahan uses Juszczyk as a traditional lead blocking back, but he provides plenty of versatility out of the backfield and with the ball in his hands. He took over as the Bears' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl Shuffle years. A bit more well-known after recently signing a four-year contract extension, John Franklin Myers is an easy player to root for and deserving of the success he has achieved. He also had some of the clutch gene. Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund Looks Super Bowl championships: Two (2005, 2008). It doesn't matter: If you are a Broncos defender, you might as well forget about a bust in Canton. shaka wear graphic tees is candy digital publicly traded ellen lawson wife of ted lawson most underrated nfl players 2000s. The NFL is a star-driven league. Mills followed Mora to New Orleans and led the Dome Patrol linebacking corps, which brought the Saints franchise its first playoff appearances. Chiesa is a winger who plays for Juventus. Bates started every game during his first three seasons since entering the league in 2018, recording three interceptions in each season and averaging over 100 tackles. Karl Mecklenburg. Even without the same speed and athleticism as when he entered the league, David continues to find ways to make impact plays like a seasoned veteran. And none of them produce the numbers he generated in less hospitable systems. With that in mind, NFL Anderson became a footnote to the Ditka era, but fans who saw him play know he was far more than that. He accounted for all his teams points in a 15-13 white-knuckler that wrecked the 49ers three-peat bid and sent the Giants to Super Bowl XXV. Robertson was one of the NFL's fastest linebackers in the 1970s. At 67 Buckner also has a wide arsenal of pass rush moves to pressure the quarterback. More than anything, though, Rote was a leader and winner. Super Bowl victories? Sideways. Jones topped the 100 career sack total in week one of 2021, a five-sack day that tied a Cardinals franchise record and set a personal career-best. Buckner plays within the defense, often allowing others to make plays, but remains a nightmare trying to block one on one. Coaches rave about his work off the field and his dedication to improving his craft. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. For a few years, he was not only the best guard in the NFL, but the most important. 1 overall pick, NFL coverage map 2021: TV schedule Week 16, Seattle Seahawks: 3 players who wont be back in 2022. Both Courtland Sutton and teammate Tim Patrick could easily make this list together as neither player is discussed nearly enough. Bottom line: The Greatest Show On Turf boasted so much star power you couldnt tell the other Rams without a program. An all-underrated team like this one can get flooded with Zach Thomas, Hardy Nickerson, Tommy Nobis and Tedy Bruschi types if we don't get a little choosy. Start with Adam Timmerman, who won Super Bowl rings with the Packers and Rams three years apart. Bottom line: In his 15th and final season, the 36-year-old Ken Riley had eight interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns, one of the most incredible performances by an old man ever. The 49ers are installing a new system and reshaping their roster. The Rams acquired him from the Chargers in 1973 in exchange for defensive end Coy Bacon. He played center, as well, before his career was over. Even so, Smith was pretty much a well-kept secret outside Pittsburgh despite meeting or approaching Pro Bowl standards for almost a decade. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. There are a ton of names in the conversation for best offensive linemen of all time, but Dierdorf never seems to have his name mentioned. most underrated nfl players As for being so underrated he's overrated, wellthat's extremely underrated, which justifies Anderson's ranking here. And he played in one stinking Pro Bowl game. That may be unfair to players like Robinson, Jerry Kramer and L.C. Off to a fast start in 2021, Sutton is quickly reminding opposing defenses of his talent. Raphael Guerreiro - Borussia Dortmund. Old-timers call it the Lawrence Welk trade after a television bandleader of the era who would begin songs by counting off "A one, and a two, and a three". There, he led a relentless Redskins pass rush in their Super Bowl XXVI ambush. That's its own kind of recognition. While the 2021 season is still early, Johnson looks to have cleaned up some issues with drops that hindered his 2020 performance and is perhaps the only thing stopping him from gaining more notoriety. But the diminutive Brees would not have been able to lead the Saints to a Super Bowl and several seasons as top contenders without a clean pocket, particularly right in front of him. Both players were Pro Bowlers the previous year. And almost nobody remembers that, when Edwards caught the ball, he knew what to do it. Quarterback ratings for Washington skyrocket when targeting McLaurin, who has become a nightmare to defend with the ball in his hands after the catch. Norton made the key play of the game in the second period, when he stood up Buffalo Bills back Kenneth Davis mere inches from the goal line. Allen has much in common with many others on this underrated list. Mason had seven seasons of at least 70 pass receptions, 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. He didnt just take up space, either. The most underrated player on all 32 NFL teams Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs with the ball while being tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters (24) in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Ryan threw five touchdown passes and ran for a sixth to beat the Giants and lead the Browns to the NFL championship in 1964. Ogbah has always been a steady presence rushing the quarterback but broke out in 2020 during his first season with the Dolphins. Ronald Koeman is a bonafide legend of Dutch football. The Rams eventually acquired Jim Everett and opened up their offense, transforming Ellard into one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats. Its hard to think of a player more dominant and less talked about over a long period of time than Chandler Jones. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. He won 65 percent of his NFL starts. There are over 120 teams that compete in the FBS, which means that storylines and hidden superstars abound. If the soft-spoken scatback had been in the right place at the right time, he would have filled his one nagging void a Super Bowl title and the exposure that accompanied it. He was arrested four times after his abrupt retirement. So LeRoy Butler, innovator of the Lambeau Leap, is excluded from his own statue. They never had any playoff success, even when they did make it into the postseason. Every NFL teams most underrated player of all time - FanSided Nothing screams underappreciated like rumors you're about to be traded to make room for a late first-round pick. Oakland Raiders. He once threw three touchdowns in a shutout victory in a title game. Mike Kenn began his career playing left tackle for a lumbering 1970s power-running offense. So whaddya say, fans? Robinson was one of those players. Antoine Griezmann is known for his excellent left foot and can score and create goals with it; hence, he is one of the best left-footed midfielders. His stardom was spread among three teams, robbing him of local hero status (or Hall of Fame momentum) in any one city. Mills was a USFL All-Star in all three seasons of the league's existence, and he led the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars' Doghouse Defense (coached by Jim Mora) to a pair of league titles. There are no official sack statistics before 1982, but the Minnesota Vikings credit Jim Marshall with 127 career sacks. Hadl played quarterback, halfback, defensive back and punter for the University of Kansas. McDole, nicknamed "The Dancing Bear" because of his boogie on the dance floor rather than his on-field footwork, was known as more of a run defender than a pass-rusher. Interior defensive linemen: The average height and weight for defensive tackles entering the league is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds. Ronald Koeman. Kenn is one of the NFL's all-time great players and leaders, and his impact ranges far beyond his playing career. MVP-caliber seasons (1,528 yards, 90 receptions, 16 total touchdowns in 2006) early in his career gave way to annual 1,100-1,200 yard, low-touchdown grinds as the Greatest Show Rams retired one by one and the team fell to 2-14 and 1-15. He covered receivers (38 career interceptions). Let's face it: An entire All-Underrated Team can be assembled using only Broncos defenders. 2023 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, tiers, sleepers Waller upped his game in 2020 and hauled in 107 passes and nine touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. Oh, and Norton scored the final touchdown of the game on a 9-yard fumble return. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. But McCree did fumble. Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum, OT. He was a eight-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion. WebWhile every fan base is sure to have two or three names they feel are undervalued and worthy of this list, here are my current top ten underrated players in the NFL. Most Underrated Efficient? Honourable Mentions Hajime Hosogai, Hertha Berlin DM, Age: 27 TGT Tips! And you're never going to guess who's No. That's not something to hold against a player. The Colts accused Ryan of running up the score in the 27-0 championship rout of 1964. And Jackson spent a generation as a pre- and postgame show staple, which puts him in a whole different category. It's not that Ellard, an Olympic-caliber triple-jumper with 4.4 speed, didn't know what he was doing. Running backs suffer none of the "didn't win the big game" biases that color our perception of quarterbacks. He was usually the Bears' best rusher and receiver in his prime years, catching 40-50 passes per season from Mike Tomczak or the young Jim Harbaugh. The rumors themselves were not surprising. The Niners' willingness to spend big money on a long-term deal at fullback demonstrates the value and unique skill set Juszczyk provides. But the run-'n'-shoot took away more than it provided, and the early 1990s Lions kept getting obliterated by better defenses in the playoffs. Jerry Rice and John Taylor may have been the greatest receiving tandem of that era, but Ellard and Flipper Anderson were the most explosive pair of deep threats. Hence, the Campbell video. A longtime semifinalist, his case is about to be handed over to the Veterans Committee, which has done a fine job recently of correcting oversights from Kenn's era. Robertson is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent photo of him in our archives. NFL Combine records: Complete list of top 40 times, bench press Teams: Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans. Ellard was an Antonio Brown-level talent in his prime, but his teams were in no hurry to get him the ball. top 20 "Underrated" is in the eye of the beholder, so let's establish some ground rules for these rankings: After that, players are ranked based how underappreciated they are, not how great they are. Following a strong start to 2021, McLaurin is slowly beginning to earn the respect his game deserves. Butler is all but guaranteed to get lost in the shuffle. Starting in at least 13 games every year since entering the league in 2012, David has finished just one season with less than 100 tackles. The former top ten draft pick looks to be on the verge of breaking out. WebDon't hesitate to comment below with underrated players who you believe should have been on this list. The Bills were among the first teams to frequently operate without a huddle. Web12. Thats what Krieg did best win football games. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. According to Next Gen Stats, Johnson averaged 3.6 yards of separation for each target during his rookie season, the most of any receiver in football. They didnt allow a sack in 84 pass attempts. Then it was off to Carolina, where he earned an All-Pro selection for leading the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game as a second-year expansion team during his age-37 season. Anderson was the first quarterback to successfully orchestrate the beta version of Bill Walsh's West Coast offense for multiple seasons. No, what youll see are lots of gaping holes the size of Boulder. You will find some familiar Hall of Fame snubs on this list (like Jim Marshall, pictured above), but also plenty of players who were even snubbed from the Hall of Fame snubs, plus some current players who aren't getting their due. Moton has also committed just 10 penalties in over 50 career starts, an average of less than one penalty every five games. Try Dave Krieg. Much of the Saints' offensive success in Evans' prime years is rightfully credited to Brees. Ryan would blitz between five and eight defenders, plus some water boys and maybe a few boo birds from the 700 level of Veterans Stadium. Jeff Saturday had to translate Peyton Manning's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap. Upon entering the league in 2019, Johnson recorded 59 catches as a rookie and then topped that mark in 2020 with 88 catches. Waller was a sixth-round draft pick at wide receiver by the Ravens in 2015 and struggled to find targets early in his career in spite of his 66 frame. Wright earned a second-team All-1970s nod from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, even though several of his signature years were in the 1980s. The AFL was an eight- to 10-team league, so All-Pro selections were easier to come by. It's hard for a running back to be underrated. Its easy to forget the Seahawks had some pretty good teams way back when, even a few playoff ones. Still don't understand why the writers don't respect it.". If he started his career a decade earlier or a decade later, Young would have anchored the defense for one of history's great teams or helped push the Harbaugh 49ers over the top in the Super Bowl. Angel Di Maria. Perhaps Hull would be in the Hall of Fame if the Bills had won even one Super Bowl. Guards don't make the Hall of Fame unless they win multiple Super Bowls or play forever. Frank Ryan led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice. Maybe he wasn't the best defender on the field for any one play, but he stayed on that field for an entire generation. Dunn left Tampa Bay as a free agent after the 2001 season and headed to Atlanta, largely because of his relationship with Arthur Blank, the Falcons owner. But this list is all about giving overlooked players their due respect. Anderson's 1,000-yard seasons came in a primitive offense with a rudimentary passing game. Rivers lacks several quarterback prerequisites for enshrinement: playoff glory, all-time records and, most importantly, momentum from a regional fanbase and media. Most Underrated Mason was frequently his team's most valuable offensive player, but he and Steve McNair made their short pitch-and-catch passes look a little too easy. Or as astute NBC broadcaster Dick Enberg scored it, "KO for Ken Norton.". Ten of the most underrated footballers of all time Bottom line: Adam Vinatieri was money in the postseason, but Matt Bahr was even better. He's not the kind of player a wise organization sheds to cut expenses. The linebacker ranks 17th in career solo tackles (1,130) and is the only player to be part of three consecutive Super Bowl champions. Here is every NFL teams most underrated player of all time. WebMost Underrated NFL Players of All Time These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Web20 most underrated football players of all time 1. But three of his best seasons are not listed in the encyclopedias. As good as Ellard was at the time, he almost was never mentioned in debates about the best at his position. Kolb set the Super Bowl standard for left tackles in Super Bowl IV, when he smoked undersized Minnesota Vikings end Jim Marshall like a bad cigar. Maybe Wright wasn't a Blount-level legend, but he deserves better than to be the forgotten man among the Broncos' forgotten men. Young started his career as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and ended it as a four-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers' team award for character and leadership. Teams: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1993, 1995, 1997), Super Bowl championships: Three (1992, 1993, 1994). Smith produced nine 1,000-yard seasons in 10 years, including two 100-plus-catch seasons in an era when they were still relatively uncommon. Since 2013, Jones has registered six double-digit sack seasons including a 17 sack season in 2017 that led the NFL, and a career-high of 19 in 2019. Still, Allen rarely gets respect as a true number one wideout. Finally, at last, the cornerback was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl game as some kind of lifetime achievement award. You mean future Hall of Fame tackle Orlando Pace didnt block four guys all by himself? He had 44 career sacks and as many as eight in a season on two occasions. But his Rams had a running back named Eric Dickerson and quarterbacks named Dieter Brock and Jeff Kemp. Today we look back at the most underrated Quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and a few of these should be in Canton. Brett Favre may be the player most responsible for bringing spectacle and success back to Titletown, but Butler brought back celebration. Jones has also recorded at least 100 tackles every year since entering the league with the exception of 2018 when he played in only 6 games. Jackson probably helped you win a fantasy title or two, but he would be remembered for so much more if he wasn't always on the wrong team at the wrong time. It is absurd that Jones isnt talked about more with his ability to impact games. Jones played for the Cowboys from 1974-78 and 1980-89. A new generation of superstar left tackles entered the league as Brown was peaking, and he spent the latter half of his career bouncing from team to team as Tony Boselli, Willie Roaf, Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones turned the blindside protector into an almost glamorous position. Kenn was one of the leaders of the NFL Players Association during the era of replacement players and court battles over free agency. The career active leader in games started by a defensive lineman is Julius Peppers with 227. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, acquired the 34-year-old Rams quarterback by, Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images, Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Greenlaw is equally effective against the run and pass, a sure tackler, and brings plenty of energy to theNiners' defense. Nope, not Charles Haley. He started for the Rams in their Super Bowl seasons at the beginning of his career and then earned Pro Bowl berths for Washington from 2009 through 2012 when he was in his mid-30s. Super Bowl championships: Four (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989). Player A passed for 27,928 yards and 194 touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns with mostly very good teams and one great one. Shenault is dynamic after the catch and plays like a running back with the ball in his hands. But Anderson was an extraordinary talent. His .588 win percentage ranks second to Wilson in team history. As a pass blocker, Moton has developed into a steady presence capable of holding his own, and at times even dominating top pass rushers that include Joey Bosa and Cameron Jordan. At age 25, Franklin-Myers seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential and should benefit from some additional pieces being added to a young rebuilding Jets defense. Taylor Moton has quietly emerged as a dominant presence at right tackle for the Panthers. WebOnce called the toughest cornerback in the NFL by Jerry Rice, Lewis would have received much more acclaim in his career if hed played a position that wasnt just following other Photo by JOHN CAPUTO/AFP via Getty Images, ST. LOUIS, MO CIRCA 1980: Ed Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys gets blocked by Dan Dierdorf #72 of the St. Louis Cardinals during an NFL football game circa 1980 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Randy Gradishar. But the former NFL Man of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had to wait so long. WebTop 20 Most Underrated NFL Players of All Time 20 Drew Brees. The guy should demand a recount, I tell ya. He had one sack in four games, all Rams victories. Not Fred Dean. Bahr converted 84 percent of his field-goal attempts (21 of 25), and 98 percent of his extra-point tries (40 of 41) when it counted most. 10 Most Underrated Football Players - Sports Al Dente 10. A mauler of a right guard, Timmerman also was agile enough to escort Marshall Faulk on screens and sweeps. NFL Nostalgia: Ranking the Most Underrated Players in NFL History The correct answer is Player A (Ken Stabler), and if youre Player B (Brodie), you have to wonder if one Super Bowl should make that much difference. Dave Meggett -- RB, 1989-1994. Hall of Fame receiver Paul Warfield was on the receiving end of many of Ryan's touchdowns. His 4.53 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was far from elite level speed either, but none of that has not stopped Johnson from playing fast and producing at a high level for the Steelers. Yes, Marshall amassed that sack total by playing foreverhe started270 games (plus 19 playoff starts) from 1961 through 1979. Randy Gradishar. He also scored 35 touchdowns on the ground in that span. The most underrated player on all It takes bad timing and bad luck. It was the era of great defensive lines with catchy namesthe Rams had the Fearsome Foursome, the Cowboys the Doomsday Defense, the Steelers later added the Steel Curtain, and so forthand Marshall was the Ringo Starr of the Purple People Eaters, the guy who once ran the wrong way for a touchdown and was happy just to be in the band. Bottom line: After eight seasons in Buffalo, where he had been a mainstay with the best defense in AFL history, Ron McDole took his two-bar helmet to Washington. Steve Atwater. WebDuring the next few weeks, we here at NFL.com will unveil our Most Underrated and Overrated Players of All Time for all 32 teams and allow users to determine their If McCree doesn't cough up that fourth-quarter pick, the Chargers beat the Patriots, and perhaps Philip Rivers leads a team that went 14-2 in the regular season to the Super Bowl. He was a Pro Bowl regular, two-time All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1971. Robinson is a staple of Hall of Fame Snubs lists, and he certainly has his case. The Top 10 Most Underrated Football Players of All Time While every fan base is sure to have two or three names they feel are undervalued and worthy of this list, here are my current top ten underrated players in the NFL. Even pesky third-down backs and gritty fullbacks may seem underrated until you realize how many of them become local heroes. MOST UNDERRATED PLAYERS OF ALL TIME Many of those catches occurred down the field, with Anderson serving as a de facto possession receiver. He started for an offensive line that helped Barry Sanders win two of his four rushing titles. Rivers' excellence, longevity and ability to barely dodge immortality make him the John Hadl of his era. He led his team to an NFL championship. "No one was going to catch no ball.". Who knows what the NFL might have looked like then? Feyenoord v VVV Venlo - Eredivisie. But no highlight clip of that play can be found on the internet. Developing a rapport with new QB Trevor Lawrence should only help Shenault quickly reach his true potential. It's Bryant Young, whorecorded 89.5 sacks for the 49ers, 23 more than Haley. Henry Ellard spent the first five seasons of his NFL career returning punts and putting up humdrum receiving stats. Teammates Alan Page and Carl Ellar were held in higher regard. WebTop ten under-capped England players is a list Foden and Maddison want to avoid Matt Le Tissier won 10 fewer England caps than Carlton Palmer. most underrated player On a walk-through between center and left guard, naturally. Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Bottom line: Fred Taylor once tweeted, "I earned respect on the field. And consider this: The one-time college triple-jumper played with a Pro Bowl quarterback (Jim Everett) in only one season. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The system helped make Hall of Famers of Kelly, Reed and Thomas. Tom Jackson. Super Bowl championships: Two (1996, 1999). He played 256 career regular-season games, never missing a start due to injury. That made Hull one of the first centers to make line adjustments on the fly. But there is no player; fans themselves get to "leap" into the statue for photo ops. (Bonus point: Schlereth doesnt suck as a broadcaster on ESPN. The fullback has become a non-factor in many of todays NFL offenses, but Juszczyk remains an integral part of how the San Francisco 49ers run their offense. One look at the logjam forming outside the entrance to Canton tells you Wisniewski isn't moving up the ladder anytime soon. David has amassed 12 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries, 24 forced fumbles, and 53 pass deflections during his career. Anderson went on to duel with Walsh and Montana's 49ers in Super Bowl XVI. Yet somehow, some way, Kolb never received a Pro Bowl invitation. FanDuel NFL 2021: Best lineup for Week 16, Jets HC Robert Saleh tests positive for COVID, could miss Jaguars game, LeVeon Bell fires back on Twitter at fans trolling him for signing with Buccaneers. Fred Warner gets a lot of attention at linebacker for the 49ers, but Dre Greenlaw flies under theradar as a young playmaker quickly on the rise. most underrated players in football at most underrated player of all time That voter meant every fanbase has a beloved old defender, renowned for his toughness and leadership, that they swear belongs in the Hall of Fame. Bottom line: Never mind guys such as Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson. Giants: All-time underrated, overrated players