Most Underrated Players In the NFL

My underrated athlete list for the NFL will not include kickers. Enjoy!

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 End
Heath 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

Most Underrated Players In the NBA

On Saturday, I did my list of underrated players in the MLB.
Today, I do my list for the NBA.
I love watching the Spurs and the Pacers play because those two teams are filled with unsung guys and underrated players. I could easily make my five man list of players from those two teams, but I didn't do that. However, both of my guards are from those two teams.

Point Guard
George Hill            Indiana Pacers
George Hill being traded to the Pacers from San Antonio is one of those rare trades that works out for both teams. The Pacers got a fantastic point guard and the Spurs got a lockdown defender and great all around player. People still don't give Hill his props though. George Hill is the point guard of the team that took the Miami Heat to the brink. He plays very efficiently and runs a very dynamic team. He is a top 10 point guard, but is rarely mentioned in conversations about who is best. That may start to change soon.

Shooting Guard
Kawhi Leonard      San Antonio Spurs

Did you see what Leonard did in the NBA Finals? Well, that is what he does for the Spurs every night. He plays unselfish, all out basketball and I love watching it. If it wasn't for Tim Duncan, Leonard would be my favorite basketball player. He does all the little things well and is always there when you need him. Naysayers will point to the missed free throw in Game 6, but those people don't pay attention. Leonard was the best player all series long. One missed free throw doesn't change that. The guy is money. I ask those naysayers who scored in overtime for the Spurs? The answer is Kawhi Leonard. In fact, Leonard was the only Spur to score in overtime of Game 6. He scored all 5 of the Spurs overtime shots. He didn't constantly turn over the ball like Manu, he just missed one shot. Kawhi Leonard may be the face of the franchise in the near future and is becoming a superstar right before our eyes. No wonder Popovich gave up George Hill to draft this guy.

Small Forward
Thaddeus Young    Philadelphia 76ers
If we were doing this list before the Eastern Conference Finals I would have certainly told you that Paul George was the most underrated Small Forward. In fact, I would have told you he was the most underrated player in all of basketball. That series though finally really put George on the map. It was mainly George's fantastic play and the Pacers size that pushed Lebron & Co. to 7 games. George was fantastic in that series as he has been all year, and finally started to be seen by most as the superstar that he is. Because many see him as a superstar now, I could not pick him.
The guy I picked is a guy who is seen by most as a solid player, but not as good as he really is. If I had you guess who the most efficient small forward was other than Lebron, Carmelo, KD, and Paul George, who would you say? If you guessed Thaddeus Young you are correct. If you didn't, which is most of you, you can see why Young is the most underrated small forward in the game today.

Power Forward
Tristan Thompson   Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Thompson is one of the best young players in the NBA. He is a big reason that many are predicting the Cavs to go to the playoffs this season. Not only are they predicting that, but many are predicting them to get back Lebron and win it all. Players like Thompson increase that possibility. Thompson scored 12 points a game last year and pulled in 9 boards a game. A very solid player for the Cavs.

Center
Greg Monroe          Detroit Pistons

Greg Monroe was a beast last season, but nobody knows it because he plays for Detroit. However, Monroe is their best player and should really be recognized for what he did. Monroe was 11th in rebounding and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. The guy averaged a double double. His production was off the charts. Everyone knows he is getting it and he still makes it happen. Monroe was a more efficient player last year than Carlos Boozer and Zach Randolph. Nobody knows what he does though outside of hardcore basketball fans. Well now you know.

-Noland

Most Underrated Players in the MLB

Hey sports fans, I will be going through my most overrated and underrated in the three major sports. I will start with the all underrated team for MLB. In the coming weeks I will do my lists for the NBA, NFL, and my overrated list in these sports as well.

Here is the list...

Pitcher
Miguel Gonzalez    Baltimore Orioles

I know that some may think this list will be biased based on the fact that it starts with Miguel Gonzalez. However, if you think about it, this guy is certainly severely underrated. The Orioles picked up Gonzalez from the Mexican League. He is making peanuts compared to his peers. Several teams gave up on him or passed up on him including the Boston Red Sox. Since June 12 2012, Gonzalez  is the winningest pitcher (percentage wise) other than all star game starter Max Scherzer.

Catcher
Miguel Montero      Arizona Diamondbacks
Catcher on a contending team that is never talked about. Montero is another guy that many have no idea about. He has a pretty good average, hits at a decent clip, and calls a solid game behind the plate. This is the position I struggled most with, but I feel that Montero is a tad underrated.

1st Base
James Loney          Tampa Bay Rays
James Loney was picked up of the scrap heap. Nobody wanted the guy. He started the year as a platoon guy for the Rays. However, the Rays and much of baseball soon figured out that this guy is really underrated. Loney is a really good 1st baseman offensively and defensively. You could have easily argued that he deserved the all-star team appearance more than Prince Fielder. He is a much better defensive option than Fielder. He doesn't have the same pop as Prince, but he has a much higher average. Loney was one of the best bargins of the offseason.

2nd Base
Matt Carpenter       St. Louis Cardinals
Matt Carpenter has an OBP up around .400. He is a stud at the plate and with the glove. The reason he is underrated is because most people don't know who he is. The guy wasn't even close to overtaking Brandon Phillips as the NL starting 2nd baseman. Carpenter has outperformed Phillips in every category and plays for the better team, but overwhelmingly most think that Phillips is the better player. I however see that currently Carpenter is the best at what he does.

Short Stop
Jean Segura            Milwaukee Brewers
No shortstop was better than Segura in the first half of 2013. However, Segura didn't even crack the starting all star lineup for the National League. It is absolutely insane that this guy wasn't a starter. It's even more insane that many baseball fans have never heard of this guy. The most insane thing I have heard is that the face of the franchise (now that Ryan Braun is suspended) should be Carlos Gomez. Segura has to be the face of the Brewers franchise going forward.

3rd Base
Manny Machado     Baltimore Orioles

Manny Machado was an all star at 21 years old, so how is he underrated? Machado is underrated because of two guys, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. The fact that those two are heralded as the best young stars in the game makes Machado underrated. Machado is as good as anybody in the game right now. He plays the best defense of the trio and is at the most premium position of the trio. Now I am not saying Machado is clearly better than Harper and Trout, but he belongs in the conversation.

Outfield
Nick Markakis         Baltimore Orioles       Right Field
Starling Marte          Pittsburgh Pirates       Left Field
Coco Crisp              Oakland A's               Center Field
Coco Crisp should have been an all-star. My all-star ballot included Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Coco Crisp. Not that Mike Trout didn't deserve it, but I was really hoping either Crisp or Markakis would beat out Jose Bautista. The entire A's organization is underrated and Crisp is the poster child for this. Did you know that the A's only had one all-star each of the last two years. Look at the A's record over those two years and see if that makes sense. Crisp is perhaps the best defensive center fielder, has incredible range, gets on base, and scores runs. He does all the little things for the A's. What a great baseball player.
Starling Marte is not a household name, but he should be. Marte like Crisp does all the little things. He is a main reason that the Pirates are a contender this season. This guy is part of one of the best outfields in baseball. Maybe this October the baseball world will begin to notice.
Nick Markakis is my favorite baseball player. Perhaps there is some bias here, especially coming from a blog that loves the Orioles, but I don't think so. Markakis has been one of the best outfielders in the game of baseball for years. Until Adam Jones arrived, he was also Baltimore's best player, but he has never been an all-star. Markakis has been passed up for the Midsummer Classic for the likes of Ty Wiggington among others. How does Wiggington make it over Markakis? That is insane! This guy should have at least one all-star appearance by now.

Designated Hitter
Luke Scott               Tampa Bay Rays

Scott is a streaky hitter, but he is a great hitter. When Scott gets hot he can put an entire offense on his back. Just look at his hot streak right before the break. He was the main reason that Tampa moved from 4th to 2nd before the break. Now the team is poised to take over 1st in large part due to Scott's production lately. The guy is a severely underrated hitter. There aren't many guys in the league that have more pop than Scott either.

-Noland