The Most Overrated and Underrated NFL Free Agents Still Available

Depending on intended free-agent signings, fanbases either lauded general managers for landing an underrated prospect at a reasonable price or scowled at overspending for overrated roster additions. 

Oftentimes, the market dictates value, unless a team goes above and beyond to acquire a talent that suits their preference. 

Many raised their eyebrows at the Washington Redskins inking wideout Paul Richardson to a five-year, $40 million deal, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo or wide receiver Albert Wilson signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

It's too late to examine the specifics of the questionable wide receiver pacts mentioned above. However, there's still time to highlight red flags for overrated talents still available on the market, such as assets whose play in 2017 reflected a sharp decline.

And teams should consider injuries or other mitigating circumstances that may have hindered production. Perhaps a trade led to a poor fit. In other cases, it's about availability and avoiding injury. 

Alongside those who could sign bloated pacts, we'll also cycle through underrated talents that may not garner much attention during free agency but deserve a significant bump in salary. 

Underrated: LB, NaVorro Bowman

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The San Francisco 49ers released NaVorro Bowman midway through the 2017 season to focus on the youth, primarily Reuben Foster. Wear and tear coupled with injuries influenced the transition. The veteran linebacker tore his ACL, MCL and Achilles tendon in the last four years.

Bowman remained in the Bay Area when the Oakland Raiders gave him a call and a starting spot at middle linebacker. The 29-year-old donned black and silver and was motivated to show his former team that he didn't lose a step. 

In his first game with the Raiders, he led the team in total tackles, which included six solo takedowns in a thrilling 31-30 Thursday Night Football victory over Kansas City. 

He continued to wrap up ball-carriers as an instinctive downhill defender for the remainder of the season. Bowman finished 11th in solo tackles between Weeks 7 and 17 with the Raiders. 

According to ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther would like to re-sign Bowman due to his heady play on the field, but other teams should consider inking him to a new deal as well.

Overrated: TE, Martellus Bennett

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Tight end Martellus Bennet can't use Aaron Rodgers' absence as an excuse for his subpar production. He played six games with the elite quarterback and didn't reach the end zone.

When the Green Bay Packers signed Bennett to a three-year, $21 million deal, per Spotrac, the coaching staff expected a reliable target with good hands in the red zone. He only spent seven games with the team before his release because of a failure to disclose a medical condition, per ESPN's Field Yates. 

Nonetheless, the Packers lost their grievance case and couldn't recover his signing bonus, per ProFootballTalk. 

The New England Patriots signed Bennett, but he landed on injured reserve with shoulder and hamstring injuries in November. 

At 31 years old, coming off an injury-riddled season with a recurring shoulder issue, teams should fully examine his body conditioning before expecting a 50- or 60-catch season.

Underrated: S, Quintin Demps

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Safety Quntin Demps should have a more robust market despite an abbreviated, disappointing 2017 campaign with the Chicago Bears. After three games, he broke his arm, which prevented him from leaving a lasting impression on his fifth team.

Between the 2013-16 seasons, Demps patrolled the secondary as a ball hawk for the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Houston Texans, snagging 15 interceptions in that span. It's a testament to his instincts with the ball in the air regardless of defensive scheme. 

He's a proven commodity who can force turnovers. Potential suitors shouldn't allow an injury-shortened season to cloud the 32-year-old's recent production on the back end.

For clubs looking to boost their turnover count, Demps comes across as a good option. Furthermore, he shouldn't cost as much as the top assets at the position after a down year.

Overrated: WR, Jeremy Maclin

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During Jeremy Maclin's glory days with the Philadelphia Eagles, the wideout was an underappreciated asset who shared the field with running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Maclin didn't have comparable speed to his former teammates, but he displayed reliable hands as a pass-catcher. He put together a 2014 Pro Bowl campaign in his last year with Philadelphia, accumulating a career-high 1,318 yards, then racked up 1,088 yards in Kansas City during the 2015 term. 

After crushing the competition in back-to-back seasons, Maclin's production significantly dropped in the following two years. He registered just 976 yards and five touchdowns in 24 appearances with the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. 

The Ravens desperately needed help in the passing attack, and Maclin couldn't deliver on the same level. His target volume dropped within an anemic aerial attack, which suggests a potential issue with gaining separation in pass routes. Going into his ninth season, he's a third option at best in an offense.

Underrated: RB, Alfred Blue

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It's easy to overlook a running back who's been passed over as a clear-cut starter. However, with more opportunities, Alfred Blue could develop into a serviceable ball-carrier handling 12-14 touches per game plus goal-line carries.

Blue took a backseat to Arian Foster during the 2014 season, then an injury to the four-time Pro Bowler allowed the reserves to see more action in 2015. The former sixth-round pick ran for 698 yards and two touchdowns that year.

Between the 2016-17 seasons, running back Lamar Miller handled the majority of the workload. Now, with 2017 third-rounder D'Onta Foreman in the mix, Blue has become the odd man out. 

Clubs looking for a bigger tailback to handle short-yardage situations should check on Blue's interest. Though he didn't specialize in goal-line scenarios, his size and blocking ability could keep him on the field for a team that needs a finisher at the position.

Overrated: DT, Bennie Logan

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The Chiefs signed defensive tackle Bennie Logan to a one-year, $8 million deal in 2017, per Spotrac, but KC didn't see the resistance needed against the run to entertain re-signing him.

Logan doesn't have a reputation for dropping quarterbacks, but he stood out as a prolific run defender during the 2015 season on the Eagles defensive line. In Kansas City, he brought minimal impact on the front line. The Chiefs run defense ranked 25th in yards allowed.

The sixth-year gap-stuffer doesn't compare to a more effective asset at the position in Dontari Poe, who contributed to the Atlanta Falcons' vast improvement against the run in 2017.

Logan should land on a new team as a rotational interior defender who can add to an already solid defensive line. Don't expect him to significantly upgrade the unit. A defensive lineman who can rush the quarterback will take more visits and garner bigger offers, but there's a light demand for average one-dimensional interior tackles.

Underrated: DE/OLB: Lamarr Houston

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A defense will always have a spot for a pass-rusher, even one with injury concerns. In 10 appearances, Lamarr Houston accumulated five sacks between stints with the Texans and Bears.

Chicago released Houston before the 2017 season with an injury settlement. After working out for multiple teams, he signed with the Texans but found himself without a roster spot when linebacker Brian Cushing returned from serving a 10-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

The Bears claimed the 30-year-old off waivers, and he logged four sacks in his first three contests. Clearly, there's still gas left in the tank. A club looking for a situational pass-rusher should schedule a visit with a defender who can consistently pressure the pocket. 

Ideally, front offices want to sign three-down players with versatility, but there's value in a pass-rushing veteran capable of closing the game on defense.

Overrated: RB, Adrian Peterson

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Outside of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, running back Adrian Peterson has the most recognizable name on the open market because of his track record with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Despite showing glimpses of the same player from his days in purple, Peterson doesn't offer the same juice as Frank Gore as a contributor. In 2017, he appeared in four games with the New Orleans Saints before the front office realized the mistake in signing him. The move led to running back Alvin Kamara's emergence en route to Rookie of the Year honors. 

Peterson ran for 134-plus yards in two of his first three games with the Arizona Cardinals but flamed out down the stretch. He averaged just 3.4 yards per carry for the season.

The fierce ball-carrier's play style has finally caught up with him, and he doesn't offer enough as a pass-catcher to compensate in space. Peterson's market has dried up.

Underrated: WR, Jordan Matthews

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Wide receiver Jordan Matthews started his career catching eight touchdown passes in back-to-back seasons. He registered 67 or more receptions in all three seasons with the Eagles.

Philadelphia traded Matthews to the Buffalo Bills where he became a non-factor. The young wideout struggled with knee and ankle injuries before going on injured reserve in December. The 25-year-old underwent surgery to correct his ailments. 

Don't forget to factor in the Bills' conservative offense with Tyrod Taylor under center. Matthews landed in a spot that failed to allow him to blossom as a pass-catcher, and of course his numbers dropped in Buffalo (25 receptions, 282 yards, one touchdown). 

Now searching for a new destination, teams should pounce on his upside after successful surgery. Matthews isn't a No. 1 option, but he's a reliable pass-catcher who moves the chains and is worth a look as a complement to a speedy receiver.

Overrated: S, Reggie Nelson

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Similar to Demps, who's listed as an underrated unrestricted free agent, safety Reggie Nelson experienced a down 2017 season after racking up several interceptions in prior years.

However, Nelson's ball-tracking skills didn't look sharp within the Raiders defense last year. In several instances, his help coverage over the top arrived a few steps late. It's not a good sign when the deep safety constantly trails a long reception. 

For the first time since 2009, Nelson failed to log more than one interception. He finished with only five pass breakups, also his lowest output in eight years. A change of scenery could help him, but it's not a premise to count on as he heads into his age-35 year. 

The delayed help on deep balls serves as a red flag at his position. Is he a lot slower, or are his eyes in the wrong place with the ball in the quarterback's hands? Either way, gauge interest with caution.