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NFL's Most Underrated: 32 teams, 32 players who don't get their due
June 25, 2015 2:41 pm ET
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...ed-32-teams-32-players-who-dont-get-their-due
For the past decade, I've been putting together a summer list of the NFL's most overrated and most underrated players. What I've come to notice the past few years is that it's much harder to find overrated players than it was 10 years ago.
The league doesn't allow players to get to that point much anymore. Not with the salary cap and the current system in place, which makes it so much tougher for veterans to hang on when it's a lot cheaper to keep a kid.
The instant era of Twitter, Facebook and knee-jerk reactions now helps to make guys overrated, more so than the hanging on, but it's tougher than it used to be. That's for sure.
The flip side is there are a lot of underrated players, guys who don't get the due they deserve. Normally, these players are younger players on the rise. But this year's choice for the NFL's most underrated player isn't a kid. By NFL standards, he's an old man.
He's 34-year-old veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth of the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitworth is a pro's pro, and he is one of the best left tackles in the league, yet has been to just one Pro Bowl in his career. He was outstanding last year, but wasn't a Pro Bowl choice.
Two years ago, when the Bengals were having problems inside, he moved to guard and was a road grader to help the run game. Back at left tackle last season, he didn't give up a sack.
So what happens? The Bengals drafted two tackles with their first two picks in the May draft and Whitworth heads into 2015 in the final year of his deal. That didn't sit well with Whitworth, who made some public comments about the picks, but don't expect him to slack off. He is a grinder, a player who loves the game and whether in Cincinnati or somewhere else -- likely the latter -- he will play on and play well after this season.
Here are the NFL's most underrrated, team-by-team:
Arizona Cardinals
Left tackle Jared Veldheer: He stepped in as a free agent last season and did a good job protecting the blind side. He is good in pass protection and has improved as a run blocker. The Cardinals love him.
Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback Desmond Trufant: He is a smooth cover player who was clearly the best defensive player on a bad defense last season. He has a chance to be a top-five corner by the end of this season.
Baltimore Ravens
Nose tackle Brandon Williams: He has developed into a quality player in the middle of their defense. He makes it tough to run on the Ravens inside. Now entering his third season, he should be even better.
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback-Safety Corey Graham: He did a nice job at corner last year in his first with the team, but he moved inside to safety this offseason and could win a starting spot there. Wherever he plays, corner, nickel, safety, he's a player who has a knack for making plays.
Carolina Panthers
DT Kawann Short: He came in as the other tackle in the 2013 draft class with Star Lotulelei, but Short had played close to the same level as Lotulelei, who was the team's first-round pick. They make for a nice, young duo. Short is more explosive.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback Jay Cutler: Forget the contract. And just focus on the player. Yes, he makes a lot of mistakes, but wouldn't any quarterback if they threw 249 passes when trailing by 14 points or more like he did last season? Based on perception, you'd think he was garbage. Watch what he does this year in the Adam Gase offense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth: Year in and year out, he's consistently one of the best of the left tackles in the game, and rarely gets noticed. Andy Dalton notices.
Cleveland Browns
Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins: This smallish receiver caught 63 passes for 824 yards last season, including six games of five or more catches -- all with bad quarterback play. He's a perfect slot receiver.
Dallas Cowboys
Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford: He moved inside last season and did a nice job at tackle, even though he's a bit undersized. He can play outside in a pinch, but it looks like he's settled in at tackle for now.
Denver Broncos
Defensive end Malik Jackson: He has been quality player on their defense the past two years, and is poised for an even bigger role this season. He will start at end in their 3-4 scheme, but in Wade Phillips' system, he will get more chances to get after the quarterback.
Detroit Lions
Cornerback Darius Slay:He improved greatly last season, showing off the ability to play press-man coverage, which all the good ones can do well. Entering his third season, Slay might be poised to take an even bigger step in 2015, maybe even the Pro Bowl. .
Green Bay Packers
Defensive end Mike Daniels: You'd be hard-pressed to find many outside of Green Bay who know his name, but he's a big part of their defense. In his first season as a full-time starter, he had six sacks and did a nice job against the run. Daniels was my choice in this space last season, so maybe it's time he starting getting the recognition.
Houston Texans
Right guard Brandon Brooks: He was their best lineman last season, developing into a good starting guard. He was a big reason why they ran the ball so well. He could push for the Pro Bowl this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Tackle Anthony Castonzo: On a line that had issues last season, he was rock solid. He might not be an elite tackle, but he shows up every week and competes and does a nice job protecting Andrew Luck's blindside.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebacker Telvin Smith: This run-and-chase linebacker is in the mold of former Tampa Bay Hall of Fame player Derrick Brooks. Smith played at 220 pounds last season, but is a little bigger this season. His speed is such a weapon. Watch him fly to the football now that he knows the defenses and assignments better.
Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive end Allen Bailey: After getting four starts in his first three seasons, he had 14 last season and took advantage of it. He had five sacks, played the run well, and is now considered a full-time starter. He also earned a four-year contact extension during the middle of the 2014 season.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive end Olivier Vernon: The fourth-year end has 30 starts and 18 total sacks the past two seasons. At the age of 24, heading into a contract year, expect him to be a valuable commodity on the open market next season if he gets there. Vernon has great speed off the edge and playing on a line with Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh, he should see a lot of single blocking, which means the sack numbers will go up.
Minnesota Vikings
Safety Harrison Smith: Entering his fourth season, he has yet to play in a Pro Bowl, despite being one of the better young safeties in the game. This could be his year. He is rangy and he can tackle. That's a good combination in today's game.
New England Patriots
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower: He stepped in when Jerod Mayo went down and did an incredible job as the signal caller on defense. He was good against the run and pass and got eight sacks as a blitzer.
New Orleans Saints
Left tackle Terron Armstead: He was solid in his first season as a starter -- he did start some as a rookie in 2013 -- but he has the tools to be a Pro Bowl player. He is a great athlete and with a year of starting, he should be much improved. He missed time in December with a neck injury last season, but he's back healthy again.
New York Giants
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins: He was on my top-100 list, which surprised some. But he's that good. Entering his third season, he could end this season as a dominant interior player. He's not just one-dimensional either. He can rush the passer.
New York Jets
Inside linebacker Demario Davis: A 16-game starter last season, he led the team in solo tackles with 79 and was second in total tackles to David Harris. This fourth-year player excels in the run game. He does need to improve in pass coverage.
Oakland Raiders
Defensive tackle/nose tackle Justin Ellis: He didn't get a sack in 2014 as a rookie, so many fans probably have no idea who he is, but he's a good run player inside and should be even better in year No. 2. Watch out for this kid in 2015.
Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox: It was stunning that he didn't get a spot in the Pro Bowl. He's a disruptive player who didn't pile up sacks, which hurt his chances. Opposing players know how good he is inside for the Eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Left tackle Kelvin Beachum: He has made himself into a top-10 left tackle. The Steelers had a bunch of problems at times at that spot over the years, but he has put those fears to rest.
St. Louis Rams
Cornerback E.J. Gaines: Gaines started 15 games as a rookie last season, playing both outside and in the slot. He was their best corner, outplaying the gambling Janoris Jenkins. Gaines was consistent in both the run game and, more importantly, against the pass. He was a steal as a sixth-round pick.
San Diego Chargers
Tackle King Dunlap: He has blossomed into a quality left tackle in his two seasons with the Chargers, which is why they gave him a new four-year deal in March. Dunlap turns 30 this year, but he is still doing a good job protecting the backside for Philip Rivers. Dunlap was the lone bright spot on a bad line last year.
San Francisco 49ers
Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch: He had six sacks as a rookie and played so well he put Ahmad Brooks on the bench at times. Lynch has pass-rush ability, but he's also solid against the run. He has a bright future.
Seattle Seahawks
Outside linebacker K.J. Wright: Bobby Wagner gets a lot of deserved attention in the middle, and we know the secondary gets its share of credit, but Wright is a speedy linebacker who is also a big part of why the Seattle defense goes as well as it does. The Seahawks made the smart move to re-sign him last season and prevent him from hitting the market. A lot of teams would have come calling.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Right tackle Demar Dotson: He held out of some work this offseason because he wants a new deal, and, quite frankly, he's earned one. He has become their best lineman and he showed his versatility last year moving to the left side late in the season. He will be back on the right side this season.
Tennessee Titans
Tight end Delanie Walker: He caught 63 passes with four touchdowns last season on a team that isn't exactly known for its passing game. Walker is also a good blocker for a tight end who is just over 6-feet tall.
Washington Redskins
Inside linebacker Keenan Robinson: After missing all of 2013 with an injury, he emerged as a force on their defense in 2014. He is a thumper in the run game who should be better in coverage with a year of starting under his belt.
June 25, 2015 2:41 pm ET
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...ed-32-teams-32-players-who-dont-get-their-due
For the past decade, I've been putting together a summer list of the NFL's most overrated and most underrated players. What I've come to notice the past few years is that it's much harder to find overrated players than it was 10 years ago.
The league doesn't allow players to get to that point much anymore. Not with the salary cap and the current system in place, which makes it so much tougher for veterans to hang on when it's a lot cheaper to keep a kid.
The instant era of Twitter, Facebook and knee-jerk reactions now helps to make guys overrated, more so than the hanging on, but it's tougher than it used to be. That's for sure.
The flip side is there are a lot of underrated players, guys who don't get the due they deserve. Normally, these players are younger players on the rise. But this year's choice for the NFL's most underrated player isn't a kid. By NFL standards, he's an old man.
He's 34-year-old veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth of the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitworth is a pro's pro, and he is one of the best left tackles in the league, yet has been to just one Pro Bowl in his career. He was outstanding last year, but wasn't a Pro Bowl choice.
Two years ago, when the Bengals were having problems inside, he moved to guard and was a road grader to help the run game. Back at left tackle last season, he didn't give up a sack.
So what happens? The Bengals drafted two tackles with their first two picks in the May draft and Whitworth heads into 2015 in the final year of his deal. That didn't sit well with Whitworth, who made some public comments about the picks, but don't expect him to slack off. He is a grinder, a player who loves the game and whether in Cincinnati or somewhere else -- likely the latter -- he will play on and play well after this season.
Here are the NFL's most underrrated, team-by-team:
Arizona Cardinals
Left tackle Jared Veldheer: He stepped in as a free agent last season and did a good job protecting the blind side. He is good in pass protection and has improved as a run blocker. The Cardinals love him.
Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback Desmond Trufant: He is a smooth cover player who was clearly the best defensive player on a bad defense last season. He has a chance to be a top-five corner by the end of this season.
Baltimore Ravens
Nose tackle Brandon Williams: He has developed into a quality player in the middle of their defense. He makes it tough to run on the Ravens inside. Now entering his third season, he should be even better.
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback-Safety Corey Graham: He did a nice job at corner last year in his first with the team, but he moved inside to safety this offseason and could win a starting spot there. Wherever he plays, corner, nickel, safety, he's a player who has a knack for making plays.
Carolina Panthers
DT Kawann Short: He came in as the other tackle in the 2013 draft class with Star Lotulelei, but Short had played close to the same level as Lotulelei, who was the team's first-round pick. They make for a nice, young duo. Short is more explosive.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback Jay Cutler: Forget the contract. And just focus on the player. Yes, he makes a lot of mistakes, but wouldn't any quarterback if they threw 249 passes when trailing by 14 points or more like he did last season? Based on perception, you'd think he was garbage. Watch what he does this year in the Adam Gase offense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth: Year in and year out, he's consistently one of the best of the left tackles in the game, and rarely gets noticed. Andy Dalton notices.
Cleveland Browns
Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins: This smallish receiver caught 63 passes for 824 yards last season, including six games of five or more catches -- all with bad quarterback play. He's a perfect slot receiver.
Dallas Cowboys
Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford: He moved inside last season and did a nice job at tackle, even though he's a bit undersized. He can play outside in a pinch, but it looks like he's settled in at tackle for now.
Denver Broncos
Defensive end Malik Jackson: He has been quality player on their defense the past two years, and is poised for an even bigger role this season. He will start at end in their 3-4 scheme, but in Wade Phillips' system, he will get more chances to get after the quarterback.
Detroit Lions
Cornerback Darius Slay:He improved greatly last season, showing off the ability to play press-man coverage, which all the good ones can do well. Entering his third season, Slay might be poised to take an even bigger step in 2015, maybe even the Pro Bowl. .
Green Bay Packers
Defensive end Mike Daniels: You'd be hard-pressed to find many outside of Green Bay who know his name, but he's a big part of their defense. In his first season as a full-time starter, he had six sacks and did a nice job against the run. Daniels was my choice in this space last season, so maybe it's time he starting getting the recognition.
Houston Texans
Right guard Brandon Brooks: He was their best lineman last season, developing into a good starting guard. He was a big reason why they ran the ball so well. He could push for the Pro Bowl this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Tackle Anthony Castonzo: On a line that had issues last season, he was rock solid. He might not be an elite tackle, but he shows up every week and competes and does a nice job protecting Andrew Luck's blindside.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebacker Telvin Smith: This run-and-chase linebacker is in the mold of former Tampa Bay Hall of Fame player Derrick Brooks. Smith played at 220 pounds last season, but is a little bigger this season. His speed is such a weapon. Watch him fly to the football now that he knows the defenses and assignments better.
Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive end Allen Bailey: After getting four starts in his first three seasons, he had 14 last season and took advantage of it. He had five sacks, played the run well, and is now considered a full-time starter. He also earned a four-year contact extension during the middle of the 2014 season.
Miami Dolphins
Defensive end Olivier Vernon: The fourth-year end has 30 starts and 18 total sacks the past two seasons. At the age of 24, heading into a contract year, expect him to be a valuable commodity on the open market next season if he gets there. Vernon has great speed off the edge and playing on a line with Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh, he should see a lot of single blocking, which means the sack numbers will go up.
Minnesota Vikings
Safety Harrison Smith: Entering his fourth season, he has yet to play in a Pro Bowl, despite being one of the better young safeties in the game. This could be his year. He is rangy and he can tackle. That's a good combination in today's game.
New England Patriots
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower: He stepped in when Jerod Mayo went down and did an incredible job as the signal caller on defense. He was good against the run and pass and got eight sacks as a blitzer.
New Orleans Saints
Left tackle Terron Armstead: He was solid in his first season as a starter -- he did start some as a rookie in 2013 -- but he has the tools to be a Pro Bowl player. He is a great athlete and with a year of starting, he should be much improved. He missed time in December with a neck injury last season, but he's back healthy again.
New York Giants
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins: He was on my top-100 list, which surprised some. But he's that good. Entering his third season, he could end this season as a dominant interior player. He's not just one-dimensional either. He can rush the passer.
New York Jets
Inside linebacker Demario Davis: A 16-game starter last season, he led the team in solo tackles with 79 and was second in total tackles to David Harris. This fourth-year player excels in the run game. He does need to improve in pass coverage.
Oakland Raiders
Defensive tackle/nose tackle Justin Ellis: He didn't get a sack in 2014 as a rookie, so many fans probably have no idea who he is, but he's a good run player inside and should be even better in year No. 2. Watch out for this kid in 2015.
Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox: It was stunning that he didn't get a spot in the Pro Bowl. He's a disruptive player who didn't pile up sacks, which hurt his chances. Opposing players know how good he is inside for the Eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Left tackle Kelvin Beachum: He has made himself into a top-10 left tackle. The Steelers had a bunch of problems at times at that spot over the years, but he has put those fears to rest.
St. Louis Rams
Cornerback E.J. Gaines: Gaines started 15 games as a rookie last season, playing both outside and in the slot. He was their best corner, outplaying the gambling Janoris Jenkins. Gaines was consistent in both the run game and, more importantly, against the pass. He was a steal as a sixth-round pick.
San Diego Chargers
Tackle King Dunlap: He has blossomed into a quality left tackle in his two seasons with the Chargers, which is why they gave him a new four-year deal in March. Dunlap turns 30 this year, but he is still doing a good job protecting the backside for Philip Rivers. Dunlap was the lone bright spot on a bad line last year.
San Francisco 49ers
Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch: He had six sacks as a rookie and played so well he put Ahmad Brooks on the bench at times. Lynch has pass-rush ability, but he's also solid against the run. He has a bright future.
Seattle Seahawks
Outside linebacker K.J. Wright: Bobby Wagner gets a lot of deserved attention in the middle, and we know the secondary gets its share of credit, but Wright is a speedy linebacker who is also a big part of why the Seattle defense goes as well as it does. The Seahawks made the smart move to re-sign him last season and prevent him from hitting the market. A lot of teams would have come calling.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Right tackle Demar Dotson: He held out of some work this offseason because he wants a new deal, and, quite frankly, he's earned one. He has become their best lineman and he showed his versatility last year moving to the left side late in the season. He will be back on the right side this season.
Tennessee Titans
Tight end Delanie Walker: He caught 63 passes with four touchdowns last season on a team that isn't exactly known for its passing game. Walker is also a good blocker for a tight end who is just over 6-feet tall.
Washington Redskins
Inside linebacker Keenan Robinson: After missing all of 2013 with an injury, he emerged as a force on their defense in 2014. He is a thumper in the run game who should be better in coverage with a year of starting under his belt.
