Every NFL team’s most overrated player of all time
Las Vegas Raiders: Jim Plunkett
The Raiders may have won two Super Bowls with Plunkett, but the man was a career backup who just got hot when it mattered most.
Jim Plunkettt was Nick Foles 40 before the words “Philly Special” mercilessly wrecked the lives of everyone for a full calendar year. Plunkett was expected to be the next big thing when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Patriots in the 1971 NFL Draft. He started for the Patriots for five seasons, but found little success. He spent the next two seasons with the 49ers before ending up in Oakland in 1979.
Everyone viewed Plunkett as a bust, as he went from No. 1 overall pick to journeyman. In 1980, though, Plunkett was thrusted into the starting lineup after an injury to Dan Pastorini. Plunkett helped the Raiders go 9-2 and defeat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Plunkett helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl once again in 1983, defeating Washington.
While Plunkett helped the Raiders get two Lombardi Trophies, those were teams who were driven off defense and running the ball. Plunkett did what he needed to do, but by no means is he this great quarterback that Raiders fans will tell you he is.