Most Underrated and Overrated NFL players

For anyone looking for any NFL tidbit, I found this list to be somewhat interesting. http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/StreetCred/2007/05/22/The_Most_Overrated_Players_in_the_NFL

I liked the section on Why the Chargers will not get over the Hump this Season.

Yes... interesting.

Rating criteria appears to be name caché in the case of offensive skill players, salary for everyone else.

Evaluation is mostly limited to stat "plateaus" (three straight seasons with over 70 catches!!!), injury history, and Pro Bowl appearences.

I like his underrateds with the exceptions of Ben Watson and Donnie Edwards. The reasons are well known on this board.

His overrateds... bleh.

Here's some selected criticism:

"He has never scored a defensive touchdown."
"However, I think that for not playing in a Pro Bowl, a 7-year, $49.5 million contract (of which $17 million is guaranteed) to a guard would qualify as overrated. At least when Steve Hutchinson signed his big deal, he ... was coming off 3 Pro Bowl Seasons."
"He hasn't even had a 900 yard season."
"He has a career completion percentage of 58.2% in a West Coast Offense."
"The quarterback is not the problem, evidenced by his two Pro Bowls."

Check please.

steve mcnair is by far one of the most overated playes in the past 5 years

I don't think Ben Watson is underrated given last year's performance. He's got a ton of talent and ability, but these haven't yet been comprehensively displayed on the field. I do think Ben Watson can become a great player. We have to remember that last year was really his first in the league as he was injured as a rookie.

I'd agree with that list for the most part.

I also think Laverneus Coles is a very underrated WR, and John Lynch os very overrated.

amazinPats said:

I don't think Ben Watson is underrated given last year's performance. He's got a ton of talent and ability, but these haven't yet been comprehensively displayed on the field. I do think Ben Watson can become a great player. We have to remember that last year was really his first in the league as he was injured as a rookie.

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I think the point with that was that he put up top ten numbers but isn't really regarded as a top ten TE. He still has a ways to go before he is considered elite, but he is very young, has loads of talent, and had a good season.

zippo59 said:

I think the point with that was that he put up top ten numbers but isn't really regarded as a top ten TE. He still has a ways to go before he is considered elite, but he is very young, has loads of talent, and had a good season.

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Ben definitely had a good season. It's something to build on for sure, given it was his first real season. I'm in his corner and do believe he will become a great tight end. At the same time, I have a sneaky feeling that Thomas might end up with better numbers when their careers end. We've got two potentially great tight ends on the team. Lawdy! We're stacked!

Overrated is a no brainer: Michael Vick




Underrated: Jason Taylor

The guy is really that good or even better then advertised. He plays with a nonstop motor and gives his all even knowing his team is crap. He's a true professional and a great player. He should make the Hall of Fame i'd imagine.

MrTibbs said:

Overrated is a no brainer: Michael Vick




Underrated: Jason Taylor

The guy is really that good or even better then advertised. He plays with a nonstop motor and gives his all even knowing his team is crap. He's a true professional and a great player. He should make the Hall of Fame i'd imagine.

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How is Jason Taylor underrated? Most of the time I hear him him regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league, and he just won defensive player of the year, which the media votes. I think most people think of him as an elite player (deservedly so) who should be a future Hall of Famer. I'm not saying he is overrated, he is a great player who deserves his repuation.

amazinPats said:

Ben definitely had a good season. It's something to build on for sure, given it was his first real season. I'm in his corner and do believe he will become a great tight end. At the same time, I have a sneaky feeling that Thomas might end up with better numbers when their careers end. We've got two potentially great tight ends on the team. Lawdy! We're stacked!

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Watson is a great athlete. Until he catches the ball consistently, he's rated as average where he should be.

Overrated: Brian Urlacher. The guy was in the Federal Witness Protection Program for most of the past few years - although I will admit he bounced back and had a good 2006.

RayClay said:

Watson is a great athlete. Until he catches the ball consistently, he's rated as average where he should be.

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He is not average.

zippo59 said:

He is not average.

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His potential might be great, his production is average.

RayClay said:

His potential might be great, his production is average.

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He was in the top eight in productionamgonst tight ends this year. How is that average?

zippo59 said:

He was in the top eight in productionamgonst tight ends this year. How is that average?

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Is he a great blocker like Graham? Did he get a lot of balls thrown to him because we had no receivers? Did he drop a lot of balls?

Lots of teams have 2 veteran tight ends and veteran receivers. Watson was a featured receiver last year.

I didn't say he was bad. Considering his opportunities, he would have had a monster year if he played great.

Based on that, I'd say he was average.

Peyton was overrated since day 1 IMO.While I'll admit that he's an incredible QB.Peyton,Eli and Archie are all overrated in my book.I wouldn't say that Brady is the most underrated.But he sure doesnt get the respect he desereves.How many Superbowls does it take?

RayClay said:

Is he a great blocker like Graham? Did he get a lot of balls thrown to him because we had no receivers? Did he drop a lot of balls?

Lots of teams have 2 veteran tight ends and veteran receivers. Watson was a featured receiver last year.

I didn't say he was bad. Considering his opportunities, he would have had a monster year if he played great.

Based on that, I'd say he was average.

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no way. Is he a great blocker? No..not many TEs are..is Gates? Is Shockey?

-He got doubled-tripled a lot of the time
-He still had over 600 yards receiving

he didnt drop that many passes..he turned ball over though. Id say he was above average and has tremendous potential.