Quarterback
Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton was so underrated and undervalued out of college that he fell to the second round. There were actually quite a few people that thought the Bengals were wrong to trade Carson Palmer and turn the keys over to Dalton. He then went on to lead the Bengals to the playoffs, and returned this past season. Two seasons with two playoff appearances, but people refuse to talk about him when discussing successful QBs in the NFL.
Runningback
Alfred Morris
Washington Redskins
This guy fell to the 6th round! He had one of the most productive seasons last year, but he was a 6th rounder. Following his awesome season, Morris was snubbed from the Pro Bowl. One of the class acts in the NFL, I think people will start taking more notice of Morris soon.
Wide Receivers
Anquan Boldin
San Francisco 49ers
Vincent Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steve Johnson
Buffalo Bills
I heard on NFL Network recently that Dez Bryant was the #2 receiver in the league, which would seem to make every receiver not named Calvin Johnson overrated. However, these three ultra productive receivers are who I thought of most.
Anquan Boldin is an old school receiver that does everything. He blocks, he goes across the middle, he breaks tackles, and he catches the ball in traffic. The guy also had a touchdown and 100 yards receiving on the biggest stage of them all. What was the reward for Anquan Boldin? Being traded for a 6th round pick. Really? All one of the best receivers is worth is a 6th rounder. Boldin could push the 49ers over the top to win the Super Bowl this season.
Vincent Jackson was originally left off the Pro Bowl roster despite nearly 1400 yards receiving. Jackson had the very inconsistent Josh Freeman throwing to him and still got no love. The guy is a top 5 receiver, but was ranked #52 in the NFL Top 100, more than 10 receivers were rated better than Jackson. Absolute disrespect. Not as bad as Boldin, but close.
Steve Johnson was not even ranked in the Top 100. He had 1000 yards, almost 80 catches and he wasn't even ranked. Who was this guy's QB? Steve Johnson is going to be known all around football this year.
Tight EndHeath Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers
Miller is perhaps the best blocking tight end in the NFL, but analysts were going nuts that he was ranked the 97th best player by his peers. I understand if you don't think he's the best blocking tight end, but the guy can play. To me he belongs on the list and is a valuable member of the Steelers offense.
Offensive Tackles
Trent Williams Washington Redskins
Andre Smith Cincinnati Bengals
Andre Smith has been called an overweight and out of shape bum his whole career. I think Andy Dalton is just happy this guy is on his team, because he is a great blocker. The guy is one of the best players not just lineman in the league. The Bengals are lucky to have him.
Trent Williams is a top 3 tackle in the game and in my opinion a top 40 player. He was only ranked the 99th best player by his peers though. If I had to pick any tackle in the league, I might pick Williams.
Guards
Rodney Hudson Kansas City Chiefs
Marshal Yanda Baltimore Ravens
Rodney Hudson is a great guard that can play any position on the line, but he rots on the bench for an awful Kansas City team. The guy can't even get playing time there, talk about underrated.
Marshal Yanda is the best guard in football, but is rarely recognized for it. He is another guy that wasn't on the top 100. Baltimore appreciates Yanda, but not sure too many other people do.
Center
Max Unger Seattle Seahawks
Unger is the best lineman in football, but much like Williams was ranked far too low in the top 100. Unger was ranked #95, behind players like Percy Harvin (who is hurt again) and Aaron Hernandez.
Defensive Ends
Chris Long St. Louis Rams
Everson Griffen Minnesota Vikings
Chris Long is known mostly just as Howie's kid which you think might make him overrated, but it is just the opposite. Long is looked over, possibly because he is the son of a Hall of Famer. I am not sure about that, but I know that Chris Long is one of the best defensive ends in football.
Everson Griffen only started one game and got little time, but his production in that time was awesome. Griffen had 8 sacks during the year and 1 in the postseason, outproducing a majority of starters in the league. Griffen could be an above average starter were he with another team. In a year or two, he could get a big contract to do just that.
Defensive Tackles
Haloti Ngata Baltimore Ravens
Brandon Mebane Seattle Seahawks
Haloti Ngata may have been the Ravens best player last year. I actually think that he was, other than Flacco. He is an absolute monster in the middle of that Baltimore defense. How many people think he is that dominating presence though? Everyone gave all the credit to Ray Lewis. This season they will realize that Haloti Ngata is the heart and soul of that defense. Don't forget that San Francisco nearly came back when Ngata got hurt in the Super Bowl.
Mebane had 3 sacks and helped anchor one of the best defenses in football. The secondary may not have had the same effect in Seattle if not for the pressure from Mebane and company. He is a force in the middle of that defensive line for Seattle.
Linebackers
Jerrell Freeman Indianapolis Colts
Lavonte David
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thomas Davis
Carolina Panthers
Jerrell Freeman was so underrated that he played in the CFL for three seasons. He came back to the NFL this season to lead the Colts with 145 tackles. 90 of Freeman's tackles were solo tackles.
Lavonte David had 20 tackles for a loss, which was the most by a rookie since 2001. David also had 139 tackles to lead the Bucs. Despite all of that, David was left off the Pro Bowl roster.
Thomas Davis had 105 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception, but wasn't talked up much. He also did all of this in 15 games only (3 of which he didn't start). How does a guy with that production not start every game? Well, you can see why the Panthers aren't very good with decisions like that.
Cornerbacks
Ike Taylor
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tony Carter
Denver Broncos
Ike Taylor doesn't have the stats or the recognition, but he has the performance. Taylor is a fantastic corner. Ike held AJ Green (a top 3 WR) to 1 catch when the Steelers played the Bengals. When Taylor was hurt against the Bengals, during the other matchup Green had 10 catches for over 100 yards. That is a staggering change in production with Ike out of the lineup.
Tony Carter is a really solid backup that would be starting for most teams. When Carter got more time like the Week 10 matchup with Carolina, he produced. Carter had an interception and a touchdown in that contest. If he got more time, and he will likely with Bailey getting older, he may produce a lot more.
Safeties
Danieal Manning Houston Texans FS
Jordan Babineaux Unsigned SS
Jordan Babineaux was one of the most productive safeties last year, and he can't even get a contract. He also couldn't crack the top 100 despite the production. Babineaux was the best defensive player the Titans had last year. He had 96 tackles and an interception. However, Babineaux may be the most underrated because he can't find a team.
Danieal Manning forced three fumbles last year, had 2 picks, a sack, and even scored a touchdown. His emergence was one of the main reasons that Houston was able to fight for the top seed out West last year. Teaming up with Ed Reed, they could make the top safety duo in the league and lead Houston to the next step.
-Noland
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