The Most Underrated NFL Free Agents on the Market in 2015

Heading into every NFL offseason, there's always a cavalcade of players set to hit the market who—for whatever the reason—are vastly underrated. And 2015 is no different.

The common denominator of players on this list is that they haven't received the fanfare they should. Some have never played full-time snaps but have shined in a reserve role and project to be studs once their workload increases. Others have just started to dazzle and haven't yet been lavished with greenbacks by a needy NFL team. And a few have emerged from relative obscurity to show that they are indeed big-time players.

In this column, we've detailed eight of the most underrated free agents set to hit the market and listed the reasons why. All eight of these players should be snatched up fairly quickly once March 10 hits, and given their talents, it's difficult to imagine them remaining underrated for too much longer.

Here are the most underrated free agents on the market in 2015.

Falcons RB Antone Smith

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Unconfirmed rumors have it that after the campaign Atlanta Falcons running back Antone Smith just authored, there will be a picture of him next to the expression "shot out of a cannon" in the dictionary.

Smith, 29, was a human devastator for the Falcons last year, scoring five touchdowns on only 36 touches—all of 38 yards or greater—and averaging 51 yards per scoring play (two touchdown runs and three receptions). Such was his brilliance that there was a palpable disappointment in the air when he didn't score after touching the ball.

Back in October, Falcons owner Arthur Blank expressed a desire to keep Smith in Atlanta.

"He really epitomizes everything you want in a team player," Blank told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. "It’s not about self; it’s always about team. It’s always about doing whatever I can do to contribute. And he lives that way. He really, really does. I’m thrilled he’s a Falcon, and I’m happy for the season he’s having."

Unfortunately for Smith, he broke his leg and missed the final six games of the season, which muted the enthusiasm surrounding his breakout.

But Smith's numbers mean that more excellence is to come. If he's given a larger workload in 2015, he won't be underrated for much longer.

Chargers WR Eddie Royal

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Eddie Royal has long been one of the league's most underrated players—and that fact manifested itself yet again in 2014.

Royal hauled in 62 catches for 778 yards and seven touchdowns, proving an adept option for star quarterback Philip Rivers. And indeed, Royal finished 2014 ranked as Pro Football Focus' 43rd-ranked pass-catcher, demonstrating to be an excellent option in a pass-first offense.

Royal's bugaboo is that he's been injury-prone, as he's never once played a full 16-game season. But the 28-year-old has been productive when on the field and should attract interest when the free-agent period opens.

Doug Kyed of NESN.com recently mentioned Royal as a potential target for the Patriots, but it's unclear if the Chargers will let him walk, as the Bolts possess more than $20 million in cap space.

But one thing is for sure: Whichever team signs Royal will be getting a sure-handed, reliable receiver who can thrive as a secondary option in a pass-happy offense.

Chiefs C Rodney Hudson

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Kansas City Chiefs center Rodney Hudson ascended into the elite tier of players at his position in 2014, authoring an outstanding campaign en route to earning a surefire payday in free agency.

Hudson, who finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-best center, is an excellent pass-blocker who kept quarterback Alex Smith upright. He's only 25 years old and has played in all 32 games over the past two seasons (starting 31 of them).

Chiefs coach Andy Reid recently waxed poetic about Hudson to Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star: "I think the place where (Rodney has) maybe taken a step is that he understands all the schemes now. He’s had a year to play in it versus all the different looks. So, he doesn’t have to sweat that part. If he can think just an inch less, you play an inch faster. That’s what he’s done so far."

While Hudson isn't an especially well-known name at this juncture, that will change as free agency approaches. Also via Paylor, former NFL agent and salary-cap expert Joel Corry believes Hudson will "command a deal worth at least $5 million per season on the open market." 

Chargers OT King Dunlap

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

San Diego Chargers left tackle King Dunlap just started 16 games in a season for the first time and was Pro Football Focus' 23rd-ranked tackle in 2014. That, combined with his age (29), will make him a viable commodity on the free-agent market. And since he's never mentioned among the better tackles in the league, there's no question that Dunlap is underrated.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers agrees, having told the media (per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com) that Dunlap deserved to make the Pro Bowl, as he only allowed three sacks last season and was also proficient in the run game. Williams would go on to write that re-signing Dunlap should be San Diego's top offseason priority.

General manager Tom Telesco is a fan of Dunlap, telling Williams:

"

(Dunlap) was really big for us this year. He played well last year, too, but he really stepped up this year -- not only as a player, but as a leader for us. He just played solid, consistent football week after week. These are all questions that we have to answer in the offseason, but he did a tremendous job.

"

A 29-year old left tackle who protects the passer with aplomb and also brings leadership skills to the table? NFL teams will surely line up to sign Dunlap once the free-agent period opens, and once he receives a big-money deal, the "underrated" label is sure to dissipate.

Dolphins DT Jared Odrick

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Although he isn't in the top tier of defensive tackles in the NFL, Jared Odrick of the Miami Dolphins is among the better options in the league—and considering he receives little fanfare, it's easy to say that he's underrated.

Odrick was Pro Football Focus' 16th-best pass-rushing defensive tackle in 2014, and he has 16.5 sacks in five seasons (he missed 15 games in his rookie year in 2010 due to injury). At 27, he still has a lot left in the tank and has proved durable as well, having not missed a game since 2011.

According to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post, Odrick is expected to command a deal worth $6 million annually, which fits a player of his stature. Abramson also recently tweeted that Odrick is likely to stay in Miami. 

If (and when) Odrick re-signs with the Dolphins, he'll look to shed the underrated label with a true breakout season.

Ravens LB Pernell McPhee

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

It's actually stunning how underrated Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee is.

McPhee finished 2014 with a career-high 7.5 sacks and was Pro Football Focus' second-ranked 3-4 outside linebacker, coming in only behind Kansas City's Justin Houston (who led the league with 22 sacks). McPhee authored a monstrous campaign and should be the subject of far more attention.

It's also worth noting that he put up those numbers and received those accolades despite starting zero games for the Ravens last year—so imagine what he could do with a starter's workload.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com agrees, naming McPhee as one of his five under-the-radar free agents. Prisco opined, "After getting 9.5 sacks in his first three seasons with the Ravens, McPhee had 7.5 last season. He's also stout against the run. This isn't a pass-rusher who will just flat out beat you with his speed. His game is about power and a relentless style."

McPhee, 26, will be a coveted player on the free-agent market. And when he becomes a full-time player in 2015, his profile will rise to the level where he no longer flies under the radar.

Eagles LB Brandon Graham

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

At one point in his career, Philadelphia Eagles pass-rushing linebacker Brandon Graham was thought to be a first-round bust (he was the 13th overall pick in the 2010 draft).

But Graham has rebounded nicely and has now become underrated, finishing 2014 with 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He also ranked as Pro Football Focus' third-best 3-4 outside linebacker while playing in a situational role—so imagine what he could do with a starter's snaps.

Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com recently posited that Graham deserves to be elevated to starter status, and he also mentioned that Graham is likely to test free agency and should be a commodity on the market due to his pass-rushing acumen. And back in December, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com wrote that "pass-rushers generally do well in free agency, and Graham’s versatility to play the 3-4 front, 4-3 or hybrid defenses should make him an attractive commodity for several teams."

Because of Graham's age (26), pass-rushing skills and versatility, he's one of the most underrated players set to hit the free-agent market.

Bills S Da'Norris Searcy

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

While Buffalo Bills safety Da'Norris Searcy has not yet emerged as a full-time player, that's about to change in a major way, as he'll be a coveted player on the free-agent market.

The 26-year-old played well in 2014, finishing the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' seventh-best safety against the run. He brought the heat to opposing backs like a teenager frantically jamming the right analog stick on a next-gen video game controller.

He also intercepted three passes, flashing ability in coverage, so he's a complete player. And given his relative youth and lack of wear-and-tear, it's easy to posit that he'll only get better.

Searcy won't be flying under the radar for much longer, as he'll be the recipient of a nice contract, whether he stays in Buffalo or not. But for now, he's one of the league's most underrated players.