Underrated NFL Players, Pt. Two: A Team-by-Team Glance at the NFC

(Left: Witten may be an elite player, but he's still underrated.)

After a solid 1,200 reads and 43 comments after being published for a day, the AFC version of this slide show did well enough to spark interest in the other side-the NFC.

There's a ton of talent in the NFC that is constantly overlooked, and it happens all across the board, and on both sides of the ball.

However, to keep the theme the same as the AFC article, the focus will be only on offensive skill positions: quarterback, running back, receiver, and tight end.

I apologize if I miss any key players you may like or feel are overlooked, but I will do my best to pick accurate, and worthy representatives for their respective teams, as well as a "close second" pick.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading.

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys

(Left: Is Choice good enough to start?)

Choice didn't just "fill in admirably" for the injured Marion Barber at the end of the season. No, considering his competition, he excelled.

Choice went up against four stout defenses in a row: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New York Giants, and Philadelphia.

He put up over 80 yards rushing against all of them (except for Philly), including over 115 total yards in three of the four games.

Choice showed exceptional vision and cutting, while also displaying soft hands out of the back field.

Close Second: Miles Austin

Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants

(Left: Can he take hold of a starting gig?)

Smith may never develop into a superstar, but he has the skills necessary to be a quality receiver in the NFL.

He progressed enough in 2008 to suggest he's ready to take on a starting role, while catching 57 passes for 574 yards and a score.

While he may best be suited to play in the slot, Smith is definitely a guy who is getting overlooked amidst the Giants' receiver crisis.

Close Second: Ahmad Bradshaw

Kevin Curtis, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

(Left: Curtis getting phased out?)

Curtis is easily the Eagles best receiver, yet he's had to sit back and watch his front office draft a receiver early in the draft for two straight seasons.

It's understandable that they did so after Curtis was hurt for much of last season, but after his 2007 numbers? It just didn't make sense.

Curtis has the speed and hands to get back to, and/or exceed his numbers of 77 catches, 1,110 yards, and six scores of two years ago.

Close Second: Jason Avant

Ladell Betts, RB, Washington Redskins

(Left: The more traditional Redskins runner?)

A few years ago, Clinton Portis went down, and in stepped the no-name Betts.

Betts was better suited to run in Joe Gibbs ground scheme, and rattled off 1,154 yards to end the season, including five straight games with over 100 yards.

Betts proves he had the vision, toughness, and necessary ability to be an effective runner, yet signed on to continue being Portis' backup.

Close Second: Chris Cooley

Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers

(Left: Driver is as reliable as it gets.)

Every year, Driver would produce, but with every new year, you would never hear his name among elite receivers.

Driver may not have what Randy Moss or Terrell Owens has, but he's been one of the NFL's toughest and most reliable targets.

He can go deep, jump for balls, or take hits over the middle. He's a consummate team player, and with six 1,000-yard seasons in his last seven, he's a consistent performer.

Close Second: Brandon Jackson

Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago Bears

(Left: Clark will have to continue to fight off Olsen.)

Clark was never going to reach the level of Tony Gonzalez, but he has always been a consistently reliable target, as well as an elite blocker.

He's not just a reliable receiver-he's a reliable player. In the seven season he's been with Chicago, he's only missed two starts.

He may end up giving-way to Greg Olsen soon, but it won't be because he's not valuable.

Close Second: Devin Hester

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

(Left: Smith has shown flashes of greatness.)

Very few players from Detroit get much love these days, but Smith is one that should.

Playing behind an awful offensive line, Smith kept fighting all season long, until he finally broke through with a stretch of consistent performances.

With at least 86 yards rushing in six of his final eight games, Smith kept the Lions competitive (albeit, winless), while rounding out the season with a solid line of 976 yards, eight touchdowns, and 4.1 yards per carry.

Close Second: Calvin Johnson

Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota Vikings

(Left: Should he jump ship for a starting job?)

Taylor is a solid talent going to waste.

Considering the Vikings have both him and the NFL's best running back, Adrian Peterson, it's safe to say they're being greedy.

Or they know that Peterson has a reckless style of play, and they want a good running back on the bench.

Taylor is only two seasons removed from a 1,200-yard season, and only one year removed from a solid 844-yard season.

Close Second: Visanthe Shiancoe

Brad Hoover, FB/RB, Carolina Panthers

(Left: Could he have been like Mike Alstolt? Nah.)

Hoover is a very physical and effective blocker, but has always been overlooked as a runner and receiver.

He doesn't have the moves and athleticism a usual running back would possess, but when thrust into action, he's performed well.

One game that comes to mind is a 117-yard romp he put on the Packers in 2000. While it's too late for him to have a huge impact as a runner, it shouldn't go unnoticed that he once had the ability.

Close Second: Jake Delhomme

Brian Finneran, WR, Atlanta Falcons

(Left: Finneran is still a red zone threat.)

It'd be easy to talk about how Roddy White has jumped out in the past two seasons, or how Michael Jenkins is finally realizing his potential, but that'd be stating the obvious.

Finneran, on the other hand, was a solid receiver before two knee injuries knocked him out of Atlanta's plans.

However, his natural ability to play, as well as his determination, led him back to a solid role with the team last season.

He may be 33-years old, but at 6'5'' and with solid speed, he can still contribute.

Close Second: Jerious Norwood

Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints

(Left: Moore is right where he belongs.)

Looked at as just a product of the system, Moore is actually much more than that.

He's a gifted receiver with good hands, solid speed, and great awareness. Moore stepped up in his third year in a big way, catching 79 balls for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 scores.

He'll look to be an even bigger part of the Saints passing attack in 2009.

Close Second: Pierre Thomas

Luke McCown, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(Left: Luke is much more poised than his brother, Josh.)

The stats don't back him up as much as his arm, athleticism, and desire to win.

McCown is a great athlete with a good head on his shoulders. Nothing he has done to this point would suggest he can't be a starter in this league. All he needs is that extra vote of confidence.

The Buccaneers drafting Kansas State's Josh Freeman is not a good start.

Close Second: Earnest Graham

Seneca Wallace, QB, Seattle Seahawks

(Left: Can a 5'11'' guy play quarterback in the NFL? Uh, yeah.)

Considering Seattle was 4-12 on the season, Wallace's record as the starter (3-5) is fairly impressive.

Wallace wasn't overly flashy or dazzling last season, but he was very efficient, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns in just eight starts, while only throwing three interceptions.

If Matt Hasselbeck falters early, Wallace could be the guy they turn to.

Close Second: Julius Jones

Jerheme Urban, WR, Arizona Cardinals

(Left: He's that white guy on the Cardinals.)

Urban has improved every year with Arizona, and has given them a fantastic third or fourth option, whenever he is called upon.

He has raised his reception total in four straight seasons, notching six, seven, 22, and 34 catches in four seasons.

Urban proved to be a very reliable third option while Boldin was out with an injury, ensuring the Cardinals would still have a solid three receivers if he were to be traded.

Close Second: Steve Breaston

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers

(Left: Washed up or washed out?)

Smith may not be the franchise quarterback everyone wanted him to be, but he still has the experience and talent to be a starter some day in the NFL.

He's only 25, has great size with a good arm, and is very athletic.

Injuries, poor supporting cast, and a constantly changing offensive scheme plagued his career, early on.

However, He did show strides in his second season, when he threw for 2,890 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, before a shoulder injury halted his career the next season.

Close Second: Josh Morgan

Kyle Boller, QB, St. Louis Rams

(Left: Are all Cal quarterbacks this good?)

Trust me when I say this: There is not much underrated talent in St. Louis.

In fact, the only truly underrated player they had was Brian Leonard, and they traded him to Cincinnati.

However, there's got to be someone, right?

Well, considering how awful Marc Bulger has been, one has to wonder if Kyle Boller could fare any better?

Boller actually wasn't as bad as people made him out to be in Baltimore.

In 2004, he actually had a decent season, throwing for over 2,500 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

He made good decisions, took care of the ball, and led the Ravens to a 10-6 record. He ever had a game against the Giants where he threw four touchdowns.

Of course, that was just one game, and that was just one season-but it's safe to say the stones were being thrown at him before 2005 was even midway through.

Close Second: Laurent Robinson