By Jeff Heisner
Phoenix Sports Anchor, ABC15.com
We've already ranked the most overrated players for the 2009 NFL season.
Now it's time to look at the most underrated players.
Who are the sleepers as another NFL season kicks off?
We've taken some time to pile through the charts and pull stats to rank the top 10 most underrated players.
And just with our overrated list, you may disagree with our rankings -- and that's okay. Just tell us why.
Click "add a comment" at the bottom of this page to sound off in support or opposition.
1. Brandon Jacobs RB, Giants - Just ask Brian Urlacher about Jacobs. The 264 pound beast ran him over in the pre-season. He was a 4th round draft pick in 2005 out of Southern Illinois. Jacobs was even underrated in college where he played behind Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown at Auburn before transferring to SIU. The man is nearly impossible to bring down without a lot of help. He’s had back-to-back 1000 yard rushing seasons, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
2. Jake Delhomme QB, Panthers – Delhomme came into the league as an undrafted free agent. It took him a while to get a chance, but once he did with Carolina, he’s been one solid NFL quarterback. Delhomme led the Panthers to three different playoff appearances. Delhomme doesn’t put up gaudy numbers and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Year after year he throws more touchdowns than interceptions. As for that 5-interception day against Arizona in the playoffs, call it an aberration. Brett Favre threw 6 interceptions in one playoff game.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew RB, Jaguars - Jones-Drew was taken 58 picks behind Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL draft. Unfortunately for Saints fans, and fortunately for Jaguars’ fans, Jones-Drew has become what everyone thought Reggie Bush might be. While the 5’7” 208 pounder nicknamed Pocket Hercules has never started or rushed for 1000 yards, his big play ability allowed the Jaguars to hand the work load over to Jones-Drew. He’ll be replacing their all-time leading rusher, Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew has averaged close to 5 yards a carry in his three years as a pro and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Now with Taylor out of the picture, expect the human-bowling-ball to put up some huge numbers.
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4. Calvin Johnson WR, Lions - It is hard to call any player from a 0-16 team underrated, but Calvin Johnson is underrated. The third year pro out of Georgia Tech is on the verge of becoming a star. At 6’5” and 236 pounds, Johnson is much bigger and stronger than any corner in the league and he also possesses speed to run by those covering him. His 1,331 yards, 13 touchdowns and 17.1 yards per catch rank him near the top of the NFC in those respective categories. Johnson is still learning the game, which is scary for those teams in the NFC North. Who knows… maybe in a couple years Johnson may be good enough to lead the Lions to a win.
5. Brian Westbrook RB, Eagles - Westbrook does get injured and misses big chunks of the season, but no one may be more important to the Eagles than Westbrook. He’s the Eagles' best running back. He’s their best receiver. Westbrook’s numbers slipped a little in 2009, rushing for only 936 yards in 14 games, but he still scored 9 touchdowns on the ground and 5 more on passes from Donovan McNabb. (It would have been 10 rushing TDs, had Westbrook been a bit more selfish instead of downing one ball to run out the clock.) At 29, Westbrook is still the heart and soul of the Eagles offense.
6. Matt Forte RB, Bears - Forte had a monster rookie season. The second round pick out of Tulane carried the load for the Bears offense last year rushing for 1,238 yards. Forte also showed an ability to get into the endzone scoring 8 TDs on the ground and 4 more receiving. Forte was as solid and durable as any rookie. He carried the ball 316 times and caught 63 more balls while losing only one fumble. Forte should only benefit from having Jay Cutler around. The number carries may go down, but the holes he runs through should be much bigger thanks to the threat of a passing game.
7. Matt Schaub QB, Texans - It has taken a long time, but Schaub is finally ready to have a break out year with in Houston. Once called the best back-up in the league, Schaub has been the Texans’ starter for the past two seasons. He is a very accurate passer and it helps that he throws to one of the best receivers in the game in Andre Johnson. Schaub played in 11 games last year but threw for over 3000 yards with a 2-1 TD/INT ratio. His 92.6 quarterback rating was better than Tony Romo, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb, and Eli Manning. If he can stay healthy, Schaub could become a Pro-Bowler this season.
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8. Dwayne Bowe WR, Chiefs - Bowe is another player on the verge of a breakout year. He has all the physical tools to dominate. Playing and being pushed by the innovative Todd Haley could help or hurt if he doesn’t get on the same page as the new head coach. While Bowe was recently banished to the third team for a lackadaisical attitude, don’t expect him to be there in the regular season. Bowe is too talented to keep on the bench. Last year the former LSU stand out hauled in 86 passes and 7 touchdowns. Bowe suffered from a case of the dropsies, 13 times last year, but at 24 years of age he’s just entering his prime.
9. Chad Pennington QB, Dolphins - Pennington was the main reason the Dolphins were competitive last year. The Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5. Banished from the Jets and contemplating retirement, the 33-year-old Pennington showed he can still play the game and that smarts are much more important for a quarterback than heaving a ball 80 yards in the air. His arm strength may not be good enough to play in New Jersey, but his 97.4 quarterback rating was just fine for the Fish. Pennington and the Dolphins might have a tough time duplicating their success with Miami’s opponents have a.594 winning percentage.
10. Nnamdi Asomugha CB, Raiders - He’s one of the best defensive players in the league. If he weren’t stuck on the Raiders more people would know about him. After 8 interceptions in 2006, Asomugha picked off 2 passes in ‘07 and ’08. That’s proof of the respect opposing quarterbacks show him by refusing to throw his way. Last season, opponents tested Asomugha only 27 times with 8 completions allowed the entire season. He has the size to match up with the big receivers and the speed to keep up with anyone.
OK, that's our list. Do you agree or disagree with any of these picks? Please post a comment, and share your ideas with your friends and neighbors.
