In the NFL, there are always players that are overlooked. Sometimes it's because they're playing on an irrelevant team or in the shadow of a big-name teammate. So let's give these 32 players the credit they deserve by ranking every NFL team's most underappreciated player:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin
Through Chris Godwin's 7 NFL seasons, he has been one of the NFL's best receivers and a key piece in the Bucs' offense. However, Godwin's elite play is overshadowed by Mike Evans, who has racked up 1,000+ yards in every one of his nine NFL seasons. Chris Godwin would be a no.1 and 1,000+ yard receiver on most teams, but he does not receive enough love due to an even better player at his position.
Kansas City Chiefs: L'Jarius Sneed
Studs on the Chiefs' offense such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce get most of the spotlight, but the defense has been a quietly elite group this season, especially cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. Sneed has been instrumental in a defense that ranks 2nd in yards per game allowed and 3rd in passing yards per game. L'Jarius Sneed's two interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 41 receptions allowed are even more impressive considering that he is frequently tasked with covering the opposing team's best receiver man-to-man, which only elite corners are trusted to do.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith
When you're playing for a Steelers defense that consists of big names like T.J. Watt and Minka Fitzpatrick, you'll get overlooked even if you have seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions on the season. That is the case with Steelers' linebacker Alex Highsmith. Highsmith has been crucial in the pass-rushing, coverage, and run-stopping, playing a pivotal role in an opportunistic Steelers' defense, even if he doesn't get enough credit for it.
Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell
Offensive linemen are generally underappreciated, but Lions' tackle Penei Sewell is one of the league's best O-linemen and the most vital piece of the Lions' vaunted offense. This season, Sewell has played the most offensive snaps of any tackle while allowing just one sack. His 91.8 PFF player grade is also mind-blowing. Penei Sewell's elite blocking has made Jared Goff look like a top-ten quarterback and made the Lions' rushing game a force to be reckoned with.
Las Vegas Raiders: Robert Spillane
The Raiders' defense has greatly overperformed this season, and you can thank the acquisition of linebacker Robert Spillane. Similarly to Alex Highsmith on the Steelers, Spillane can do everything from run-stopping to pass-rushing and coverage, making him an essential part of the defense. Spillane has recorded elite numbers this season, with the 11th most tackles in the NFL (130), three interceptions, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
Buffalo Bills: A.J. Espensa
The Bills have countless big names on the defensive side of the ball, including Von Miller, Matt Milano, and Micah Hyde, let alone the offense. But defensive end A.J. Espensa is the unknown cornerstone in a top-ten defense, with 6.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and a forced fumble this season. Despite being a defensive end, A.J. Espensa is also frequently tasked with covering receivers and tight ends, and he does a pretty good job of it, recording eight passes defended and two interceptions.
Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr.
Very few receivers in the NFL have displayed the level of consistency that Michael Pittman Jr. has shown with the Colts' game of musical chairs at the quarterback position. Despite catching passes from 6 different quarterbacks during his 4-year career, and the quality of those QBs' play varying greatly, Pittman has still recorded Pro Bowl stats year after year. Though he never actually played in a Pro Bowl. Michael Pittman Jr. doesn't make many highlight reel plays like Justin Jefferson or Tyreek Hill, but his consistent production is rare when the only constant in the NFL is change.
Tenessee Titans: Azeez Al-Shaair
The Titans' roster has many holes on both sides of the ball, but there certainly isn't a hole at the linebacker position. Very few linebackers in the NFL control the opposing rushing game better than Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair has the 6th most tackles in the NFL with 124, along with eight tackles for loss and four passes defended. However, the Titans aren't very relevant and don't receive much press attention, even when they were good, for some reason. As a result, their star linebacker doesn't receive the credit he deserves.
Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams
This case is very similar to that of Chris Godwin, where Chargers' receiver Mike Williams is in the shadow of Keenan Allen, a slightly superior teammate at the same position. It doesn't help that Williams has missed most of the 2023 season with an ACL tear, and Keenan Allen recording his best career season. But when on the field, Mike Williams is easily a top-20 receiver in the NFL, and his unmatched ability to catch the ball in tight windows is criminally underrated. It's no coincidence that the Chargers have had a disappointing 5-10 season without Mike Williams for all but two games.
Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Hicks
The veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks has been one of the many little names on the Vikings' defense to have quality production, thanks to new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Hicks has played a considerable role in a top-10-ranked Minnesota rush defense, with 100 tackles on the season. He also has five passes defended and one interception but has mostly specialized in the run-stopping department.
Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson
While offensive linemen are often underappreciated, Eagles' center Jason Kelce gets more attention than any other O-lineman in the NFL. However, offensive tackle Lane Johnson's immense contributions to a top-ten Eagles offense go under the radar. Johnson is having a bit of a down year, but only three sacks allowed, and a 79.3 PFF player grade is still elite and almost identical to the stats of his teammate, Jason Kelce.
Houston Texans: Jonothan Greenard
While the Texans gave up a hefty amount of picks to get rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. in the draft, defensive end Jonothan Greenard has done substantially more for the Texans' pass rush, with substantially less attention. Greenard leads his team and ranks 9th in the NFL in sacks, with 12.5, as well as 15 tackles for loss on the season.
Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The Browns' defense is one of the NFL's very best, and while stars like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward have greatly contributed to that eliteness, many have overlooked the impact of linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The do-it-all linebacker is one of the NFL's elite run-stoppers, with the second-most tackles for loss with twenty, and 72 tackles. Though Owusu-Koramoah is also a threat to opposing passing games, with six passes defended and two interceptions this season.
Washington Commanders: Kamren Curl
The Commannders' defense as a whole has been atrocious this season, especially the secondary. However, the same can not be said about Washington's young safety, Kamren Curl. Kamren Curl only has five passes defended and one interception, but that's because opposing quarterbacks avoid throwing the ball in his direction, and for good reason. Though he does lead his team in tackles with 113, opposing QBs would prefer to throw the ball to any other defensive back on this Commanders' abysmal secondary.
New Orleans Saints: Paulson Adebo
There are plenty of underappreciated players on the Saints' defensive squad, so choosing the most underrated is a difficult decision. But Paulson Adebo has proven to be the best player in a top-ten defense without getting much recognition for it. Adebo ranks 4th in the NFL in passes defended with sixteen, and four interceptions along with two forced fumbles and 58 tackles, the 13th most of any cornerback. Adebo's stellar pass defending has helped the Saints hold opposing teams to a 58.2% completion percentage, 2nd in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams: Kevin Dotson
The Rams' offensive line and overall offense have tremendously improved this season, and Rams fans can thank the improved play of their offensive guard, Kevin Dotson. In prior seasons, Dotson was a mere average O-lineman but has taken the next step in 2023, allowing just four and committing just two penalties on 796 offensive snaps this season. Dotson's 83.2 PFF player grade is also quite impressive, and his elite blocking has helped Kyren Williams become one of the best running backs the NFL has to offer.
Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Wilson
With the Bengals' defense being a below-average group this season, linebacker Logan Wilson hasn't received much credit for his elite run-stopping. Wilson leads the team with 125 tackles, three forced fumbles, and also has 8 passes defended and three interceptions. The Bengals' defense hasn't been great this season but would be a bottom-tier squad without the world-class run-stopper and occasional pass defender in Logan Wilson.
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Madubuike
Interior pass defensive linemen generally don't get as much credit and attention as exterior pass rushers, and that is no different for the Ravens' star defensive tackle. Justin Madubuike is hands down the best defensive tackle in the NFL, with the most sacks of any interior pass rusher (12) and the 5th most tackles for loss of any defensive tackle. (11). A dominant pass rush is the foundation of a good defense, and Madubuike's pass rushing is the definition of dominant.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Foyesade Oluokun
The Jaguars have been falling apart as of late, but their underappreciated linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, has been one of the NFL's premier run-stoppers this season. Unlike other linebackers on this list, Oluokon has mostly just stopped the run. Though he does a decent job of it to say the least, by leading the NFL with 160 tackles, contributing to a top-ten rush defense. Oluokun was also instrumental in leading the Jags to an unexpected AFC South title, though he hasn't received much recognition for it.
San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk
With a roster as loaded as the 49ers' it's easy to forget the talent and contributions of many players, especially wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Since Aiyuk was drafted in 2020, he has gotten better and better each year, becoming Brock Purdy's main target deep downfield this season. Aiyuk has 1,203 receiving yards on the season, the 8th most in the NFL, being one of the many game-changers on a stacked 49ers team.
Seattle Seahawks: Jordyn Brooks
When you think of Seahawks defenders, who comes to mind? Perhaps Tyriq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Bobby Wagner, or Quadre Diggs. But few know of the Seahawks' star linebacker, Jordyn Brooks. Brooks has been a consistent run-stopper year after year for Seattle, and this season is no different. While the Seahawks' rush defense is below average, Jordyn Brooks certainly isn't, with 109 tackles as well as 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
New England Patriots: Trent Brown
The Patriots' offense has been horrendous this season, so offensive tackle Trent Brown hasn't much credit for his elite blocking. The 30-year-old veteran tackle has only gotten better with age, recording a career-best 2023 season. Brown has allowed just three sacks this season on 579 offensive snaps for an 80.3 PFF player grade. With Brown at the age of 30, he should find a way to get traded to a team in win-now mode.
Dallas Cowboys: Jake Ferguson
With Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb both having career-best seasons, the Cowboys' trusty tight end hasn't received much recognition for his pro-bowl-caliber play. Jake Ferguson finds open space downfield better than any other tight end in the NFL, and also plays a significant role in the Cowboys' rushing game as a blocker. Ferguson ranks 8th among tight ends in receiving yards with 692, making him an essential piece to a top-tier Cowboys' offense.
Miami Dolphins: Christian Wilkins
While the Dolphins' flashy offense gets more attention, their pass rush has quietly been an elite group, with the underrated defensive tackle Christian Wilkins leading the charge. Wilkins has eight sacks and ten tackles for loss on the season, which ranks 10th among defensive tackles. Wilkins has been an average pass rusher for many years, but he has played a major role in a pass rush that ranks 4th in sacks during his 2023 breakout campaign.
Carolina Panthers: Frankie Luvu
The Panthers' offense has gotten much more attention than their defense this season and for the wrong reasons. Nonetheless, the Pro Bowl caliber play of the Panthers' linebacker Frankie Luvu has gone unnoticed. Luvu's 119 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and ten tackles for loss on the season have certainly given the Panthers' offense many opportunities, even if they don't capitalize.
New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker
The Jets' offensive line has been horrendous this season, probably because Alijah Vera-Tucker has missed most of the season due to a torn Achilles. But when on the field, Vera-Tucker's production has been far from horrendous, to say the least, allowing just two sacks and committing one penalty during his 250 offensive snaps this season. The Jets' third-year offensive tackle has been a major cornerstone of the offense and kept the O-line from becoming a bottom-tier group when healthy.
Green Bay Packers: De'Vondre Campbell
While the Packers' rush defense has been bad for years, De'Vondre Campbell's run-stopping has been quite the opposite. Campbell has played some of his best football after arriving in Green Bay, recording a career-best season in 2021 with the 7th most tackles in the NFL. If Cambell had not missed ten games this season due to injury, he would have easily broken the 100 tackles mark. Nonetheless, De'Vondre Campbell is a major game-changer when on the field.
Chicago Bears: Tyrique Stevenson
The Bears' defense has gradually improved as this season has progressed, and the same can be said about the team's rookie cornerback. Tyrique Stevenson has quietly been one of the best corners the NFL has to offer, with 15 passes defended, four interceptions, and 79 tackles to round out a promising rookie campaign. Despite Stevenson not being considered for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year honors for some reason, he should be a lockdown corner and franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles
Offensive tackle Garrett Boles has been a reliable blocker for Denver for many years, and this season is no different. Boles's mere two sacks allowed on 1012 offensive snaps this season is quite a feat that hasn't received much recognition. His quality run blocking is also why Denver has a 1,000+ yard rusher year after year, but not in 2022, when Bolles missed most of the season due to a leg injury.
Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Thompson
Jalen Thompson has been one of the few droplets of water in the dumpster fire that is the Cardinals' defense. This season, safety Jalen Thompson has recorded four interceptions, eigh passes defended, a forced fumble, as well as 76 tackles. Thompson has not received much recognition for his production due to the Cardinals being irrelevant right now, especially the defense.
Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom
While the rest of the Falcons' offense has been dysfunctional, the offensive guard Chris Lindstrom has quietly been one of the best offensive linemen the NFL has to offer this season. Lindstrom has gotten better and better each year since the Falcons drafted him in 2019, and 2023 is no different, as he has recorded a career-best three sacks allowed and committing just six penalties on 1005 snaps. While Chris Lindstrom has played at an elite level for many seasons, the Falcons offense has remained mediocre at best.
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