Each of the 32 clubs in the NFL have at least one performer who doesn’t get his just dues. All of these players deserve a little more positive attention.
How do you determine if a player is underrated? These days, there are actually all kind of ratings, such as the ones from the fine folks at Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Could it be more of a case of being underappreciated or overlooked when it comes to those thousands of discussions surrounding the best in the NFL? Like all conversations about the best, it’s totally subjective.
One thing is for sure. Not one of the following 32 performers have earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. At least, not yet. But all have been solid contributors for their current teams and in some instances, even before that.
Arizona Cardinals: RB Chase Edmonds
Back in 2018, the Cardinals boasted the worst offense in the NFL. That included being ranked dead-last in both rushing and passing. They made strides in 2019 when it came to the ground game thanks to the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray and a trade that eventually brought Kenyan Drake to the desert.
The latter had a career a year with Arizona this past season but has moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders. That puts Chase Edmonds in the spotlight. The three-year pro comes off a year in which he amassed 1,267 combined yards and five scores and has reached the end zone a combined 10 times the last two years.
Atlanta Falcons: WR Russell Gage
This offseason, the franchise opted to part ways with 10-year wideout Julio Jones – dealt to the Tennessee Titans after a career with the Falcons that added up to 848 catches, 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns. The cupboard isn’t bare as with 2018 first-round pick Calvin Ridley on the roster. He’s played in a total of 44 contests and has already amassed 217 receptions – 26 for scores.
That same year, the Falcons used a sixth-round choice on LSU wideout Russell Gage. His numbers have steadily increased since his arrival and they come off a season in which he was targeted 109 times, snaring 72 passes for 786 yards and four scores.
Baltimore Ravens: S Chuck Clark
The Ravens’ defense has had mostly good as well as a few shaky moments in recent years. But the bottom line remains that John Harbaugh has guided this team to the playoffs three consecutive years, something only three other clubs in the NFL (Chiefs, Saints and Seahawks) can boast now.
There have been a lot of changing faces on the defensive side of the ball in recent years, most notably with the front seven. Meanwhile, strong safety Chuck Clark has now grown into the role as a reliable starter. He comes off a year in which he finished second on the team with 96 tackles, four takeaways, 1.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Buffalo Bills: OLB Matt Milano
Linebacker Matt Milano has carved quite a niche for himself in Orchard Park and has been a very resourceful player for the franchise since being a fifth-round draft choice in 2017. He’s been a contributor on defense and special teams and just seems to always be around the football. He comes off a season in which he was limited to just 10 games and five starts.
But there’s a reason the franchise just re-signed him to a four-year, $44 million contract (via Curtis Rush of Forbes). In four seasons, he’s rolled up his share of tackles, along with six sacks (3.5 in 2020), five interceptions, five fumble recoveries and 21 passes defensed.
Carolina Panthers: WR Robby Anderson
He joined the franchise in 2020 after four years with the New York Jets. And while he was with the Green and White, the club managed a dismal 21-43 win-loss record. But for two seasons, wide receiver Robby Anderson did play with quarterback Sam Darnold, and now the duo is reunited in Charlotte.
As for the five-year wide receiver, he’s a big-play target who comes off a career year with the Panthers. The undrafted free agent from Temple was targeted an amazing 136 times and caught 95 passes for 1,096 yards and three touchdowns for Matt Rhule’s club. He owns a 13.8 career reception average and totaled 23 scores.
Chicago Bears: ILB Roquan Smith
There are always high expectations when you are a top-10 selection in the NFL Draft. And University of Georgia Standout Roquan Smith has been a pretty reliable commodity since being taken with the eighth overall pick in 2018. He’s totaled 100-plus defensive stops in each of this three seasons and led the Chicago Bears in tackles on each occasion.
The three-year pro comes off a monster year in which he totaled 139 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and seven passed defensed. But he did miss the team’s playoff clash with the Saints with an elbow injury. You do sense that there could be a Pro Bowl invitation in the near future.
Cincinnati Bengals: FS Jessie Bates III
Defense has been more of a four-letter word in the Queen City in recent years. In fact, the Bengals really haven’t been that formidable on this side of the ball since Mike Zimmer left to become the head coach of the Vikings in 2014.
It’s not like the team hasn’t had its share of standouts on defense with the likes of Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap up front. Neither is still with the organization, but free safety Jessie Bates III will begin his fourth season with the club.
He’s started every game in three years and managed 100-plus tackles each season. And Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked safety has nine career interceptions as well.
Cleveland Browns: OLB Sione Takitaki
He’s only been in the NFL two years and this past season was his first as a primary starter. But he was a bright spot on the defense that was less-than-formidable in 2020. Former third-round pick Sione Takitaki has seen action on defense and special teams.
But this past season, he wound up making a dozen regular-season starts for Joe Woods’ unit and finished with 55 defensive stops, along with a sack and a 50-year interception return for a score vs. the Eagles.
He made two more starts in the playoffs and picked off Ben Roethlisberger in the Wild Card playoff victory. And he is also Pro Football Focus’ 16th-ranked linebacker.
Dallas Cowboys: WR Michael Gallup
Gallup has certainly been a solid deep threat and was part of a three-man wide receiving contingent that was among the best in the NFL this past season despite numerous quarterback changes. Six-year veteran Amari Cooper finished first on the team with 92 catches, and 2020 first-round pick CeeDee Lamb wasn’t far behind with 74 receptions.
Both snared five touchdown passes, as did three-year speedster Michael Gallup, who finished fourth on the Cowboys with 59 catches. But the 2018 third-round pick from Colorado State led the club with 14.3 yards per grab. His 158 receptions have added up to 2,457 yards and 13 TDs.
Denver Broncos: G Graham Glasgow
Five-year pro Graham Glasgow was a free-agent addition from the Detroit Lions in 2020, inking a four-year deal worth a crisp $44 million with this franchise (via Spotrac). And during his four-year stay in the Motor City, he didn’t garner a lot of attention despite playing everywhere on the interior of the offensive line.
Glasgow has now been an effective player for two teams, and this past season, he started 13 games for Vic Fangio’s Broncos. He’s been a steady performer during his somewhat-brief career and earned solid grades from Pro Football Focus this past season as both a run blocker as well as a pass protector at right guard.
Detroit Lions: DE Romeo Okwara
When you consider a unit that allowed a whopping 65 offensive touchdowns and a team that surrendered the second-most points in one season in NFL history, it’s hard to say that anyone on the defensive unit was underrated.
But defensive end Romeo Okwara was certainly a bright spot on the last-place Detroit Lions this past season. In fact, he’s played well since joining the club in 2018 following his release from the New York Giants after two seasons with that club. He’s totaled 19 sacks and five forced fumbles in 45 contests for the team. He racked up a career-best 10 quarterback traps in 16 games in 2020.
Green Bay Packers: G/T Billy Turner
In 2019, under general manager Brian Gutekunst, the Packers surprisingly opened up their checkbooks and signed the likes of outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith as well as safety Adrian Amos to sizable contracts.
But they also signed a solid offensive lineman who has shown his versatility in his two seasons with the franchise. Former Dolphins and Broncos blocker Billy Turner was the team’s starting right guard in every game in 2019.
He missed the first two games of 2020 but he wound up starting at not only right guard but both right and left tackle this past season for the eventual NFC North champions.
Houston Texans: OLB Zach Cunningham
A lot of the familiar faces that graced the roster of the Texans in recent years are now elsewhere. End J.J. Watt is now a member of the Cardinals after asking for his release. And inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney was traded to the Dolphins in a deal that allowed Houston to obtain defensive end Shaq Lawson.
But linebacker Zach Cunningham remains and has put up huge numbers for the club, especially the last two seasons as a 16-game starter each year. There were 137 and 163 defensive stops in 2019 and 2020, respectively, as well as a combined five sacks. And unfortunately, it wasn’t enough this past year.
Indianapolis Colts: CB Kenny Moore II
Cornerback Kenny Moore II has been an unsung performer for the Colts since joining the organization in 2017 after he was cut loose by the New England Patriots. He is regarded as the best players in his position but he has yet to garner any honors.
But that could change in 2021, as a season ago, coordinator Matt Eberflus’ unit came on like gangbusters and were one of the best defenses in the NFL. He has quite the four-year resume and comes off a complete 2020 campaign. He finished with 79 defensive tackles, led the club with four interceptions and 13 passes defensed and totaled two sacks.
Jacksonville Jaguars: G A.J. Cann
With the exception of a somewhat-magical 2017 season, it’s been tough going for the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2008. The teams owns a combined 64-144 record over the past 13 seasons and has only made that one playoff appearance. Head coach Urban Meyer takes over a franchise that enters 2021 having lost 15 consecutive games. And he will have his work cut out for him as a first-time NFL head coach.
Rookies Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne are exciting new additions to the offense, but it’s important that they are kept out of harm’s way. Right guard A.J. Cann has been a mainstay on the line the past six seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs: DT Derrick Nnadi
Steve Spagnuolo took over the Kansas City defense in 2019 and after a sluggish start, this unit jelled down the stretch and in the postseason. Hence, the franchise wound up winning Super Bowl LIV. The defense got off to a solid start this past season but wasn’t nearly as effective in the second half of the year and had its issues in the playoffs.
Chris Jones gets a lot of attention as the top player on the defensive front and Frank Clark can get after the quarterback. But defensive tackle Derek Nnadi been a solid and effective performer for the team since being a third-round pick in 2018 as the defensive front’s best run-stopper.
Las Vegas Raiders: DT Johnathan Hankins
He has bounced around the NFL since the Giants made him as a second-round pick in 2013. A member of the Silver and Black the past three seasons, one-time Ohio State product Johnathan Hankins has been the defensive front’s steadiest performer since the club added him in free agency in 2018.
Granted, the Raiders’ defense has had its ups and downs for far too long. However, the former Giants’ and Colts’ interior presence has been pretty reliable, starting 14 of 15 contests in 2018 and all 16 games in each of the past two seasons. Once again, there are some new faces up front. Can Gus Bradley get this unit to gel?
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Austin Ekeler
It’s hard to be a running back in this league and be somewhat underrated. Fans and media alike look at a performer’s touchdowns, and running back Austin Ekeler has certainly found his way to the end zone during his four-year career.
He’s played in 56 regular-season contests but made only 21 starts. The undrafted performer from Western State (Colorado) has racked up 3,980 total yards from scrimmage and scored a combined 25 touchdowns — nine rushing and 16 receiving. He has emerged as the main threat out of the Chargers’ backfield and 10 of those 21 starts came in 2020. Is Ekeler primed for a career year?
Los Angeles Rams: WR Robert Woods
Robert Woods has been a pretty productive receiver since entering the NFL as a second-round draft choice of the Bills in 2013, and he has flourished in Sean McVay’s offense since joining the Rams as a free agent in 2017. Woods has amassed 322 catches for 4,070 yards and 19 scores in his four seasons alone with Los Angeles.
Those numbers dwarf his four years in Buffalo, where he managed just 203 for 2,451 yards and a dozen scores. He’s also been a part of three playoff teams with the Rams and in six postseason games has totaled 38 grabs for 410 yards and one score. What kind of numbers will we see with Matthew Stafford?
Miami Dolphins: TE Mike Gesicki
The Dolphins have not been to the playoffs since 2016 but are coming off a year in which they won 10 games. They are in the process of transitioning full-time to quarterback to Tua Tagovailoa. The fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft started nine games during his rookie season and had his ups and downs.
Wideout DeVante Parker is now joined by Will Fuller (Texans) and rookie Jaylen Waddle. Meanwhile, three-year Mike Gesicki has emerged as a productive option. After catching 22 passes and not scoring a touchdown during his rookie year, he’s combined for 104 receptions, 1,274 yards and 11 scores the past two seasons.
Minnesota Vikings: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Veteran Kyle Rudolph was a sound performer for the Purple Gang for 10 seasons, totaling 453 grabs for 4,488 and 48 scores and earning a couple of Pro Bowl invitations in the process. But the team opted to go in a different direction this year, cut him loose and watched him sign with the Giants.
In 2019, the Vikings used a second-round draft choice on University of Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. You could see the growth from his rookie campaign to this past season in terms of a downfield target. After catching 36 passes for 311 yards and two scores in 2019, he totaled 30 receptions for 365 yards and five TDs in three fewer games.
New England Patriots: C David Andrews
David Andrews been the solid performer for Bill Belichick’s team and has made his share of postseason appearances. In 2019, center David Andrews missed the entire season with medical issues (via Nicole Yang of Boston.com). He returned in 2020 and played and started a dozen games and wound up as the NFL’s 14th-ranked player at his position by Pro Football Focus.
The former undrafted free agent from the University of Georgia was a season-long starter during the team’s Super Bowl title seasons in 2016 (LI) and 2018 (LIII). He’s started New England’s last nine postseason games. Will he get his due sooner than later?
New Orleans Saints: FS Marcus Williams
He is obviously best known for a play that went awry in the 2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs at Minnesota. Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs went up high for quarterback Case Keenum’s pass, safety Marcus Williams missed the tackle and Sean Payton’s team was stunned on the final play of the game.
Still, the second-round pick in 2017 from the University of Utah’s good moments have outweighed that humbling play. The Saints have been NFC South champions each of his four seasons in the NFL. He’s made 60 regular-season starts for the club. Via Pro Football Focus, only six safeties in the NFL have a higher grade.
New York Giants: CB James Bradberry
General manager Dave Gettleman has certainly taken his share of heat with this franchise, from his draft choices to the team giving big money to free agents that have disappointed. But after just one season with the club, cornerback James Bradberry has already proven to be a worthwhile pickup.
In 2020, he played and started 15 games for a defense that steadily improved as the season unfolded. The former member of the Carolina Panthers finished with 53 defensive stops, a pair of forced fumbles and led the Giants in interceptions (3) and passes defensed (18). New York’s secondary has emerged as a force.
New York Jets: FS Marcus Maye
Back in 2017, the Green and White made an unusual move in selecting safeties with each of their first two selections in the draft. The team used a first-round pick on Jamal Adams, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018, All-Pro accolades in 2019 and was dealt to the Seahawks in 2020.
In the second round, the club opted for University of Florida standout Marcus Maye. He’s been a 16-game starter in three of his four seasons and comes off a huge year. He finished second on the team with 88 stops, two sacks, two interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and a team-high 11 passes defensed. He will play for the franchise tender in 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Travis Fulgham
He was a journeyman performer who began his NFL career in Detroit after being a sixth-round draft choice by the Lions in 2019. Old Dominion wide receiver Travis Fulgham played in three games as a rookie, was targeted three times and never caught a pass.
He was waived by the club in the summer of 2020, spent just over a week with the Packers and eventually landed in the City of Brotherly Love. He wound up playing in 13 games, making eight starts for the Birds and enjoying some eye-opening moments. He finished third on the club with 38 receptions and scored four times but boasted a 14.2 yards per catch average.
Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Stephon Tuitt
He was a second-round pick in 2014 and a standout for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Perhaps the fact that he has gone through his share of injuries and not played a complete season in seven years in the NFL has prevented him from earning Pro Bowl recognition.
But Steelers’ veteran defensive end Stephon Tuitt comes off a year in which he made a career-best 15 starts. He finished with 45 tackles and his 11 sacks were second on the team behind only T.J. Watt. His 2020 performance was coming off a year in which he lasted only six games. He’s totaled 34.5 sacks in eight seasons and health has been the lone issue.
San Francisco 49ers: T Mike McGlinchey
He was the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and when you’re selected that early, expectations are certainly high. Former Golden Domer Mike McGlinchey stands at 6-foot-8 and 315 pounds and makes for an opposing challenge for defensive lineman.
In three seasons, the imposing performer has lined up at both right guard and right tackle on an offensive front that added veteran left tackle Trent Williams via trade from Washington in 2020. And this offseason, veteran center Alex Mack joined Kyle Shanahan’s club via free agency.
With Williams on the roster, it may be hard for the improving McGlinchey to get his due.
Seattle Seahawks: TE Will Dissly
In 2015, the club was part of a trade with the Saints that enabled Pete Carroll’s club to obtain tight end Jimmy Graham. He spent three years in Seattle and was named to a pair of Pro Bowls.
Last offseason, the Carolina Panthers released three-time Pro Bowler Greg Olsen and he latched on with the Seahawks. His tenure with the franchise added up to a total of 12 games (including playoffs).
Will Dissly was a fourth-round pick in 2018 from the University of Washington and has seen his playing time and productivity increase each year. He started a career-best 12 games this past season and caught 24 passes (2 TDs).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Cameron Brate
When you’re on a team that features one of the best ever at the position (Rob Gronkowski) along with a player that was the 19th overall pick in an NFL Draft (O.J. Howard), you could get lost in the mix.
But former undrafted free agent Cameron Brate has been a big part of Tampa Bay’s passing game for the last six seasons. He first played for the team in 2014 and that season caught one pass in five contests. But since 2015, there have been a combined 222 receptions for 2,421 yards and a somewhat-quiet 29 scores.
During the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl title run, there were 14 catches for 175 yards and one TD.
Tennessee Titans: C Ben Jones
The team has done a solid job in recent years building one of the quality offensive lines in the NFL. The Titans used first-round picks on tackles Taylor Lewan (2014) and Jack Conklin (2016). The club lost the latter to the Browns in free agency in 2020 and thought they had replaced him with Isaiah Wilson. But that selection proved to be a disaster.
General manager Jon Robinson did snare former Rams’ guard Rodger Saffold in 2019, and he’s been a reliable starter. But the team signed former Texans’ center Ben Jones in 2016 and the nine-year pro has missed only one contest in five seasons with the organization.
More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: #Buccaneers, Chiefs still lead way into 2021
Washington Football Team: WR Steven Sims Jr.
This offseason, Washington looked to boost its offensive attack in the form of Panthers standout Curtis Samuel. He has the ability to make plays as a runner, receiver and on special teams. He joins budding star Terry McLaurin on the team’s wide receiver depth chart.
Steven Sims Jr. is a former undrafted free agent from the University of Kansas and had quite the debut year in 2019, totaling 1,240 all-purpose yards and scoring as a receiver (4), runner (1) and kickoff returner (1). He played four fewer games (12) this past season and didn’t approach his 2019 numbers but did score a touchdown in the playoff loss to the Bucs.