Super Bowl XLVI: Who's Overrated or Underrated?

Super Bowl XLVI is right around the corner, in a game that see’s Tom Brady and the New England Patriots take on Eli Manning and the New York Giants in a rematch from Super Bowl XLII four years ago.

While there are some familiar faces from the 2008 contest, there are also many new ones.

Let’s get to it – here’s a list of over and underrated players on the two respective Super Bowl rosters. 

Tom Brady Is Overrated

Brady is a great quarterback—there’s no denying that—but this season I’ve heard everyone, from fans to announcers to writers, patting this guy on the back for stuff he doesn’t deserve.

Despite having six less touchdowns and six more interceptions than a certain Green Bay quarterback, his name has still been brought up in MVP talks, and there are still people that want to argue that he’s better than Rodgers.

The two best quarterbacks in the NFL this season were Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. The best quarterback currently in the game is Aaron Rodgers. The NFL MVP is Aaron Rodgers and the offensive player of the year is Drew Brees.

 If you guys disagree with that, then I’m up for a good debate.

Antrel Rolle Is Overrated

Former Arizona Cardinals and current New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle is not only the most overrated player on this list, but he’s one of the more overrated players in the league.

Let’s take out the calculators for a minute. In 2010, Rolle signed a five-year deal worth US$37 million, which comes out to 7.4 million a year.

Despite not even being in the top 10, the deal made Rolle the third highest-paid safety in the NFL, behind only Troy Polamalu and Bob Sanders.

You could turn around and ask why he made the Pro Bowl last year is he's so overrated. Well, let's take a look at his numbers for a minute and then compare them to other safeties in the league.

His 87 tackles tied him for 13th among safeties, his four pass deflections weren't even good enough for top 50 and his one interception tied him for 46th among all safeties.

Nice stats for a "pro bowler" that's being paid more than just about every safety in the league.

Mario Manningham Is Underrated

Manningham was one of those guys who was not around for Super Bowl XLII but has been solid for the Giants since being drafted out of Michigan in 2008.

With the emergence of wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz over the past two years, Manningham hasn’t got the credit he deserves.

The 25-year-old is in his contract year, and if he hits the free agent market, he will most likely receive several offers from teams in need of a number two receiver.

Corey Webster Is Underrated

Cornerback Corey Webster does have a ring from the Super Bowl back in 2008 but started only three games that season.

In the four seasons since then, Webster has quietly recorded 204 tackles, 16 pass deflections, 14 interceptions and two forced fumbles.

I’m not saying the guy has been a superstar, but he’s certainly better than what some people give him credit for. 

Julian Edelman Is Underrated

If there’s one man in the entire league that could play every position, I’d put my money on New England Patriots wide receiver/ kick returner/ defensive back, Julian Edelman.

His numbers are not exactly attractive, but the guy’s a beast. Offense, defense, special teams—he does it all.

Look for Julian Edelman to be a factor in the Super Bowl.

Rob Ninkovich Is Underrated

When you think of the Patriots defense, names like Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo usually come to mind. Add Brandon Spikes to that list and the play of fellow linebacker Rob Ninkovich usually gets overshadowed.

Ninkovich finished the regular season with 74 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Like Edelman, these numbers aren’t anything spectacular, but he is a pretty solid linebacker that gets overshadowed due to playing beside the likes of Spikes and Mayo.