Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

The answer lies in the least-appealing, least-publicized positions in football, and that would be the lineman on either side. Too often you hear of QB's, RB's, WR's and even TE's get lauded more for their production while the offensive lineman get downplayed. You also hear of the awareness and productivity of Linebackers, Safeties, and even Cornerbacks while the down-lineman get overlooked.

On the offensive side of the ball, I feel that the absolute most underrated player in the NFL is Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs. Not many football fans can even tell you WHO he is, much less WHERE he plays or what position he lines up at. However, if you look at how consistent he's been over his ENTIRE career, you'll soon see he was able to hold his own against some Hall of Fame lineman like Willie Roaf and Will Shields and some other good ones like Casey Weigman and John Tait. When you see that Trent Green was able to throw for 4000 yards while Larry Johnson was able to rush for over 1700 yards, you HAVE to look at the lineman and over the last couple years, only Brian Waters has remained. Sure, his current teammates are NOWHERE on the same par as his former ones, but I feel that his overwhelming resume will land him in Canton one day, with everyone scratching their heads asking "WHO THE HECK IS BRIAN WATERS?"

On defense, the most underrated player in the NFL is Aaron Smith. Many would argue that fellow Steelers teammate, Casey Hampton, or some other Nose Tackle, should be deserving of this distinction, given that they have to constantly take on double teams while stuffing the middle, freeing up the linebackers. However, I feel that NO defensive lineman can bring to the table what Aaron Smith does. Any opposing team will tell you Smith is JUST as strong as many Defensive Tackles, sometimes even stronger and his speed is deceptive. But what makes him the most underrated is his football knowledge. Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin will tell you Aaron Smith is the main reason that the zone-blitz schemes work. He's quick and agile enough to play OLB, but he's big and strong enough to play NT or DT as well. I feel only Aaron Kampman is as versatile, but even then, he's more of a pass rusher. Smith is a complete lineman - destructive run-stuffer and a disruptive pass-rusher who opens things up for James Harrison and Lamar Woodley to wreak havoc. You have to remember, though - he plays alongside Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, James Farrior, James Harrison, Lamar Woodley, Casey Hampton, Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend... some could argue that all of them make Aaron Smith so good, but then here's an interesting note: before Vince Wilfork, Casey Hampton or Kansas City Chief's true Nose Tackle, their respective teams first sought versatile, underrated 3-4 DE's like Richard Seymour, Aaron Smith and Tyson Jackson. That, to me, speaks volumes.

It would definately be an Olineman, they get basically no stats, but clear holes and ptoect the QB, most casual fans could not even tell you who their starting 5 are. Guys like Dielman, Hutchison, Walter Jones...as far as non Olineman, my vote would got to London Fletcher, this guy puts up 100 solo tackles a year, is named captain to every D he plays on, and yet is not a household name...look at his stats for the last decade and he is the poster boy for consistency and playing the "QB" of the defense, if every team could have a QB that played to the level he does year in and year out, they would already be talking about the guy being a HOfer

Everyone is naming QBs who are the teams leaders and so how can they be underrated, and McNabb cannot be called underrated, b/c it isnt like he has 5 SB rings and is getting no respect.

EDIT for Sumdude...ok glad your not a casual fan, I am a huge Jamaal Brown fan great player and great person...but I have to disagree with Hasselbeck being why they were good for so long..there was a guy playing there named Shaun Alexander who was a workhorse back and took alot of pressure off Hasselbeck, not saying he isnt good, but I think you are discounting Alexander in your statement

Any high-performing, durable OL (as others have said); the only people that pay attention to how good they are NFL coaches.

Also Patrick Willis. Plays on a crummy team, but was #1 and #2 in tackles in the last two years, hasn't missed a game, been to pro bowl both years in the league, and yet you won't hear his name on tv at all

Matt Hasselbeck! This guy is great. He had a bad year last year but he was hurt most of teh year. He is the main reason why Seattle was so good for a while in the NFC WEST. There is a reason that Mike Holmgren(sp) took him with him to Seattle.

EDIT: to Dennis i present you with two linemen. Ryan Clandy of the Denver Broncos and Carl Nicks of teh New Orleans Saints. LT Jamal Brown LG Carl Nicks C Jonathan Goodwin RG Jahri Evans RT Jon Stinchcomb. Giving the saints o line some love for you.

For the second time tonight, I answer a question with: Torry Holt.

This guy gets no respect for what he has done, constantly is left off top 10 reciever lists, and was one half of the best recieving tandum that has been seen in the last 12 years.

Speaking on just last season...

Offense: Saints' WR Lance Moore quietly racked up over 900 yards and 10 TD's with Colston being out.

Defense: Buccaneers' LB Barrett Ruud was 4th in the league with 137 tackles.

Special teams: Rams' punter Donnie Jones led the league with an average of 50 yards per punt.

Tony Scheffler TE for the Denver Broncos

My favorite player Donavan Mcnabb

I agree with those who say McNabb. The Eagle literally booed him on day one, and they have never accepted him. But he has been the real deal. Look at how well he led some of them playoff teams with virtually no good receivers. In some of them, his best receivers were Stinkston and Trash.

Donovan McNabb, he has done more for the Eagles than any player has and nobody wants to give him credit because Eagles fans hate everyone even Santa Claus.