Tim Tebow and the Most Underrated Player on Each NFL Team

From Andre Reed to Curtis Martin, there has always been underrated players in this league who do not get the same recognition as some of their peers.

With so much talent on each team, some players are often forgotten while their numbers and impact on the game might be as great as Pro-Bowlers and servicable veterans.

This article assesses the most underrated player on each NFL team.

NaVorro Bowman (San Francisco 49ers)

Playing alongside the best linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis must be difficult. However, NaVorro Bowman makes it look easy and has been extremely effective all year, posting a team-leading 95 tackles this year. In addition, Willis and him have led one of the top defenses in the league to a stellar 9-1 season.

Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks)

When discussing the top safeties in the league, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Adrian Wilson, and Eric Berry are often listed. Earl Thomas has been elite for the greater part of his two year career with the Seahawks, intercepting six passes, including five last year. On the year, Thomas has 63 tackles, which leads his team.

Early Doucet (Arizona Cardinals)

Over the past few years, the Cardinals have always had a strong #2 receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, with Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston filling this void previously. Doucet has been solid all year long, netting 511 receiving yards and four touchdowns, even with an unstable quarterback situation.

Chris Long (St. Louis Rams)

Chris Long was drafted #2 with high expectations in 2008, but seemed to struggle early on in St. Louis. However, Long has come on strong this past year, getting eight sacks on a mediocre Rams team, while also having three sacks against the Saints in a shocking win.

Denarius Moore (Oakland Raiders)

Denarius Moore is exactly what the Raiders love: athleticism and speed. Moore possesses both of these traits and has showcased his abilities this year with five touchdowns on the year, along with 396 yards receiving. Moore's breakout performance was at San Diego, where he had 123 yards receiving along with two touchdowns.

Brandon Flowers (Kansas City Chiefs)

Brandon Flowers is not only one of the most underappreciated defensive players in the league, but probably one of the lesser appreciated ones on his own team behind Eric Berry and Tamba Hali. Flowers has been a ball hawk this past year, intercepting four passes, adding to his thirteen interception career total.

Eric Weddle (San Diego Chargers)

After signing a five year, 40 million dollar deal, many doubted Eric Weddle's abilties to live up to his contract. Instead of folding, Weddle has had his best season this past year with five interceptions and 53 tackles. Weddle is looking and playing like an elite safety, yet does not get the recognition from the general public.

Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos)

Ok, I know. Tim Tebow has a 44.8 completion percentage, 709 yards passing, and only seven passing touchdowns. However, Tebow has only turned the ball over once in those contests and has led his team to a 4-1 record. The win-loss record is all that counts and people just seem to pile on the criticism onto Tebow. He may do it uncoventionally, but all he does is win.

Laurent Robinson (Dallas Cowboys)

With Miles Austin hampered all season by a hamstring injury, Tony Romo lost his #1 wide receiver. In the process, Dez Bryant has emerged as the team's best receiver, while Robinson has proven to be a solid #2, catching four touchdowns and getting 441 receiving yards, while behind Bryant and Pro-Bowl tight end, Jason Witten.

Jason Babin (Philadelphia Eagles)

Lost in the Eagles offseason spending spree was Jason Babin, who has been one of the lone brightspots of their nightmarish season. Babin has 10.0 sacks on the year and two forced fumbles, including a critical one in a must-win game this week against the Giants.

Jason Pierre-Paul (New York Giants)

We all know that the Giants can rush the passer, as they possess Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, two of the best pass rushers in the league. However, people forget the young Pierre-Paul, who has been elite all year, leading the team in sacks with 10.5.

London Fletcher (Washington Redskins)

Mr. Underrated himself, London Fletcher has been underappreciated his whole career. Fletcher has the most tackles over years 2000 to 2009 with 1244, yet only made one Pro-Bowl over that span. Fletcher is having another superb season, leading his team in tackles (96) and interceptions (2).

George Wilson (Buffalo Bills)

Wilson has literally come out of nowhere, after being undrafted out of Arkansas in 2004. Wilson leads the Bills in both tackles and interceptions and has been the defensive leader of the surprising Bills, who have already eclipsed their win total from last year with a 5-5 record.

Dustin Keller (New York Jets)

For the past three years, Mark Sanchez has used Dustin Keller as his safety blanket and sure-fire third down target. Keller has been one of the more reliable tight ends of the past four years and leads the Jets in receiving yards and and receptions.

Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)

Rob Gronkowski is one of Tom Brady's biggest targets and puts up huge numbers, with 709 yards and eight touchdowns already. Over his career, "Gronk" already has caught 18 touchdowns and is Brady's major third down and red zone target. 

Yeremiah Bell (Miami Dolphins)

Bell does all of the little things right on an underrated Dolphins defense. Over the past three years, Bell has had at least 100 tackles out of the safety position, while being the unsung leader of this defense.

Vonta Leach (Baltimore Ravens)

At first glance, Leach's numbers do not pop off the page, as he has only nine yards on six carries during his entire eight year career. However, Leach has been an outstanding lead blocker, opening up lanes for Arian Foster last year and for Ray Rice this year.

Leon Hall (Cincinnati Bengals)

When Johnathan Joseph left for the Texans, many thought that the Bengals secondary would be one of the weaker units in the league. Leon Hall has been as great as he has been throughout his career, shutting down the opposing team's #1 receiver along with Nate Clements.

Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)

With Hines Ward getting older, the Steelers were pleased to see the emergence of Mike Wallace as their new #1 receiver and big play threat. However, in the process, Antonio Brown has been making big catches at the #2 all year long, posting 44 catches along with 626 yards receiving.

D'Qwell Jackson (Cleveland Browns)

D'Qwell Jackson has been a tackling machine ever since he joined the league, as he lead the NFL in tackles in 2008 with 154. Jackson has been similarly impressive this year, with 91 tackles already.

Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers)

With all of Green Bay's outstanding receivers, it's easy to be lost in the jumble. But it is shocking to think that Jordy Nelson is having the best season out of all of the receiving corp with 756 yards and nine touchdowns. Nelson has also been making big plays, scoring touchdowns from passes of 84, 93, 50, and 64 yards.

Chad Greenway (Minnesota Vikings)

When you think of the Vikings defense, people often talk about the Williams Brothers, Jared Allen, or even Antoine Winfield. However, Greenway has been one of the more consistent members of this unit, getting 551 tackles over the past five years.

Chris Houston (Detroit Lions)

Chris Houston is one of the many reasons why the Detroit Lions defense has been improving and why the Lions are 7-3. Houston has four interceptions on the year, along with two "Pick 6's." As he improves, this defense will get even better.

Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

Devin Hester is always underappreciated, usually being relegated to a purely special teams player. Not only does Hester have three special teams touchdowns this year, but he also has 320 yards receiving along with a receiving touchdown and ten tackles.

Paul Posluszny (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Posluszny was building up an impressive reputation while on the Buffalo Bills, where he was the leader of that young Bills defense. After signing a six year, 42 million dollar deal with the Jaguars, Posluszny has become the leader of Jacksonville's defense, with 77 tackles.

Pat Angerer (Indianapolis Colts)

Ok, the Colts are 0-10 this year and have looked really bad. In some ways, Peyton Manning might be the most underrated player in the league, as we are starting to realize his huge impact on this team. However, Angerer has been the surprising leader in tackles in the NFL with 106.

Arian Foster (Houston Texans)

How can a Pro-Bowl running back be underrated? Arian Foster has been so good this year, yet has not been talked about nearly as much. Without Andre Johnson, Foster has 740 yards rushing and 445 yards receiving, along with 8 total touchdowns. These numbers are with Ben Tate rushing for 686 yards too.

Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans)

Kenny Britt is often forgotten because of his injuries, notably his hamstring and now his torn ACL. But Britt was really impressive when healthy this year, scoring three touchdowns and even getting 135 receiving yards against an elite Ravens defense. If Britt can stay healthy, he can become a top 5 receiver as soon as next year.

Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons)

Even at the age of 35, Tony Gonzalez has been arguably the best receiver on this Atlanta Falcons team. Gonzalez has by far the most receiving touchdowns with seven and the second most receiving yards with 561, behind Roddy White.

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)

Who would have thought that Jimmy Graham would be this impressive so early in his career. Graham has been Drew Brees' favorite target this season, getting 873 receiving yards along with six touchdowns. In fact, Graham has the fifth most receiving yards in the whole league!

LeGarrette Blount (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Blount has been hounded by injuries all year long and has only 541 yards on the ground. However, when he has been healthy, Blount opens up the offense more, making Josh Freeman a better quarterback in the process.

Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)

Over the past few years, Steve Smith has requested a trade, realizing that the Panthers are years away from being back in playoff contention. However, Smith's career has been revitalized with the emergence of Cam Newton, as he has 992 yards receiving along with 5 touchdowns.