Piece by: Kyle Sramek
There are always those players who are underrated for various reasons. Sometimes they get the attention they deserve and seeing that is amazing to witness. Other times they fail to feel that sense of recognition. This could be due to the media failing to give them the credit they have rightfully earned or just completely failing to maintain that level of play. Both of which break my heart into a million pieces when that happens. That is why I made this list. To give those overlooked athletes the attention they have earned.
Now, this is not the typical list that you might read from major news networks that include some of the most obvious candidates. Years ago, media made lists that included players such as Davante Adams, Derek Carr, and the most underrated current player in the NFL that it should be a federal crime, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Anybody with a little bit of football knowledge and the ability to type can produce something like that. Where is the challenge in doing that? I went diving into the deep end, for the most part, to create this wonderful collection of players.
Michael Onwenu- New England
I just had to kick this off with an offensive lineman. This second year guard out of Michigan played all over the Patriots’ offensive line last season. Due to injuries on the team, he even had to kick outside and play right tackle for them and held his own quite nicely if I do say so myself. In fact, he played so well that he should have won NFL offensive rookie of the year last season. Justin Herbert won that honor instead last year and played well enough to earn it because no other “skill” position player performed as well as he did.. If lineman could actually win this award, he would be one of many who have done so in the history of the league.
Additionally, how are lineman always viewed as untalented players? I challenge any fan of the game to lift as much weight as one of them and run as fast at a similar weight. I would bet my life savings that less than 10 people can do all that. If they cannot, they need to come back to earth where we think before we speak.
Russell Gage- Atlanta
Gage has been a great number three wide receiver behind teammates Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. He has put up sneakily great numbers for a less than stellar offense recently. This offseason, the Falcons finally moved on from Jones by trading him to Tennessee for what many saw as meaningless capital for a player of his caliber. Jones has been one of the few premier targets in the NFL for a decade and Atlanta should be grateful for his willingness to stick around for so long.
Now, we will see what Gage can really do with this new opportunity. Can he make the leap and become the number two behind Ridley? Or will he fall off completely like what happened last season in Pittsburgh with Smith-Schuster? Only time will tell.
Poona Ford- Seattle
Ford is an amazing run stuffer and there is no doubt about that, However, there have been questions about his pass rushing ability and whether he can stay on the field on every down on defense. The Seahawks obviously think he can by allowing him to stay out there for every snap that he physically can. Will he get the praise he deserves? Probably. Will he be rewarded with a contract that reflects his true value? Absolutely not. It is sad to say, but stopping the run is no longer seen as a necessity in the game. It is an injustice, but a true fact for defensive lineman. Sacks equal money in the NFL regardless of how you get those.
Look at the contract Trey Hendrickson got this past offseason from the Bengals for an example of this. One great year in terms of sacks and he gets paid like the best pass rusher in the league.
Bryce Callahan- Denver
Callahan is one of the best slot corners in the league right now. The Broncos were lucky to get him so late in the draft and that has definitely paid off so far. He fell that far because he was viewed as undersized for a cornerback and when he put on weight to bulk up, he ran slower than expected. He made the decision to go back to his original weight to remain athletic enough to play in the secondary in the NFL. One reason he was viewed so small were questions about how he would match up on the outside versus bigger and stronger players than him.
This past season he got that chance to prove those critics wrong. Because of the injuries that plagued the team, he was forced to play outside of the slot. He was not the best outside corner in the league, but was absolutely serviceable at that position. This showed that he can play more than just the slot role, making his value to the team skyrocket even more.
Tony Pollard- Dallas
So, you may have heard of this guy even if you are not a Cowboys fan. That is probably because he is Ezekiel Elliot’s primary backup. He has done well in that role so far. When Elliot held out for a new contract and had to start the season on a carry limit, Pollard stepped in and played pretty well. Is he an every down back that can touch the ball 30 times a game for an entire season? I would say probably not. That, however, is not why he made this list. As good as he is as a running back, he may be even better as a receiver in today’s pass happy league. For most other teams, he would be utilized in such a way.
The Cowboys on the other hand, are loaded with receiving targets in Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Randall Cobb in the slot. Cobb left prior to last season beginning so Pollard thought he would get more touches. That was until the team drafted wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the 1st round of that draft. You cannot fault the Cowboys for taking who they viewed as the 2nd best prospect all the way down at the 17th pick. Some fans did not like this move. I do not know this for a fact, but I am sure Pollard hated it. Not because he did not want to see the team have success, but because that meant there would be less touches for him on offense.
More touches give a player to show off their talent and value to a team allowing them to make more on their next contract. That is if even receives an offer. With the way running backs are valued now he would be lucky to receive a one-year deal when he hits free agency.
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