Most underrated players in the NFL

[C-Gold]

The NFL has become so Fantasy football driven, it's hard to be a quarterback, running back or wide receiver and be very underrated. The NFL is so stat driven that it's likely that the most underrated players don't have stats...

I used to think Brian Waters guard for the Chiefs was the most underrated player in the NFL ( to fans not players), but now I'd probably say it's Michael Roos LT for the Titans. Left Tackle is one of the most important positions on the field, and he's the best at his position and he doesn't get credit for it. He's a dominant run blocker and a pro bowl caliber pass blocker. So here you have one of the most valued position players in the NFL and I'd bet a lot of fans don't even know who he is. If everybody in the NFL was pooled together and redrafted, he'd be one of the first Non quarterbacks to be selected is my point.

On defense I'd say Aaron Smith or Brett Kiesel for the Steelers are up there too. 5 Technique D-Ends don't get sacks like OLB's or 4-3 D-Ends. These guys are basically just as good as Richard Seymour, get credit from players and GMs for being dominant but how many fans outside of Pittsburgh know that these guys are basically pro bowl players?

[Super Duper]

Been waiting for you to start a thread this week dammit. LOL. I always look for your thread, by the way. On to the subject at hand. EJ Henderson of the Minnesota Vikings is a guy I always say is underrated. One would think that playing behind two monster DT's makes it easy to get to ball carriers unblocked in a scheme like the vikings use. But I submit that it's his ability to play the passing game that separates him from the average MLB. And he does things in the short passing game that most linebackers simply cannot do. Witness his play against Romo 10 days ago. Also look at the stats when he was injured, compared to playing with Minny last year. I'm not saying he's great. I'm merley saying he's got more game than most but gets lost in the shuffle, as some LB's do that aren't pass rushers.

[GunShard]

Last season, the top 2 teams to have the least sacks were the Colts and Titans.
Now I know one of the reasons why the Titans offensive line is strong.

[C-Gold]

Super Duper - Thanks for the kind words and I'll Echo your comments on EJ Henderson. I've also always said that I thought Bradie James for Dallas was underrated but he was recently rewarded with a pro bowl but I still don't think people get how good those two guys are. Overall I think Patrick Willis is the best LB in the game even though he's a MLB and won't get those sacks. Willis is getting some more press this year but I felt last year he was quietly the best LB in the game.

Gunshard - The Titans have a top 5 offensive line as a unit, but the GEM of that line is Michael Roos #71. Take a look at just him some time when you are watching a game, and you will frequently see a guy driving the defensive end back 5 yards like a sled drill, or you'll see him pull out and declete a linebacker, or drive a guy off to the side... or perfect pass protection. The guy is maybe the best overall run blocker in the league and he still pass blocks at a pro bowl level. Left Tackles draw attention and are in demand. If you have a LT that can block a top pass rusher ( Demarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Justin Tuck etc. 1 on 1) then it allows you to have an extra man on offense. That TE or RB you would have used to "chip" or double him can go out ofr a pass. That's why you see LT's at the top of the draft every year now. It theoretically gives you an "extra man" on offense and keeps the most important player on your team healthy.

I'd keep my eye on the Titans rookie CB Verner... He's played fantastic for weeks now and was what, a 5th round pick? The guy is easily in the hunt for defensive rookie of the year.

Now that we've been talking about the Titnas so much, I'd nominate Tony Brown DT up there too. He's their best D-Lineman and I know Haynesworth got a lot of press when he was on the Titans line with Brown & Vandenbosh but Brown is dominant too.

I've always said Chase Blackburn backup LB on the Giants is underrated because he's a special teams ace. One of the best guys you'll see on punt and kickoff coverage.

I like looking for underrated players and would love to hear some more.