30 Most Underrated Players in the NFL Right Now
30) Creed Humphrey
Humphrey has quietly become one of the best centers in the NFL, anchoring the Chiefs’ offensive line. Despite his importance to Mahomes’ protection and Kansas City’s run game, he’s rarely mentioned outside of line play discussions.
29) Trey Smith
Smith has been dominant on the interior of Kansas City’s line, paving the way for both the run game and Patrick Mahomes’ protection. Still, guards rarely get their due.
28) D.J. Reed
Reed is now part of Detroit’s secondary after leaving the Jets, and he continues to bring the same physical, lockdown coverage skills that made him a standout. Overshadowed in New York by Sauce Gardner, he remains underrated even as he helps elevate the Lions’ defensive backfield.
27) DaRon Payne
Payne is one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders, but he doesn’t get the same praise as Jonathan Allen despite being just as impactful.
26) Josh Sweat
Sweat signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Cardinals in March 2025 and immediately became a cornerstone on Arizona’s pass rush. He brings high-end pressure - having registered 8 sacks in 2024 and ranking No. 95 on the NFL Top 100 list even before playing a snap for his new team. Despite that, he remains underrated compared to other top edge rushers, quietly giving the Cardinals a much-needed boost on the defensive front.
25) Drake London
A big-bodied target with excellent ball skills, London hasn’t reached his ceiling due to poor QB play. His true breakout is coming.
24) Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson was traded from Washington to the 49ers on August 22, 2025 in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. He’ll serve as a reliable backfield option behind Christian McCaffrey - his bruising running style and proven production (799 rushing yards in 2024) still made him one of the most underrated RBs in the league.
23) Josh Jacobs
The 2022 rushing champ has been overlooked due to team struggles and injuries. In Green Bay, his physical running style is a perfect fit and still underrated.
22) Brian Burns
A top-tier pass rusher with elite bend, Burns doesn’t get the attention of Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt, but his consistency makes him invaluable for the Giants’ defense.
21) Jordan Poyer
After spending the 2024 season with Miami, Poyer has reunited with Buffalo in 2025, joining their practice squad as a veteran depth piece and mentor. He spent 2017–2023 with the Bills, where he earned All-Pro honors (2021) and a Pro Bowl nod (2022). Although his time in Miami was quiet, Buffalo's reunion highlights their trust in his experience and leadership as they bolster their secondary depth.
20) Kenny Clark
In August 2025, Kenny Clark was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay. He’s expected to anchor Dallas’ interior defensive line, bringing experience and stability, yet remains underrated in wider discussions compared to flashier stars.
19) Jonathan Greenard
Greenard emerged as a force off the edge, but his name rarely appears in top pass-rusher conversations. His motor and impact are undeniable.
18) Laremy Tunsil
Tunsil was traded from the Texans to Washington on March 10, 2025, in a blockbuster deal involving multiple draft picks. Since then, he’s become the cornerstone of the Commanders’ offensive line, protecting rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ blindside and bringing elite-level pass-blocking ability. Despite his high cap hit, he remains an underrated piece - frequently overlooked among the league’s star left tackles even though he consistently delivers reliability and performance.
17) Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield is an all-around safety with instincts, tackling, and ball skills. Despite his versatility, he’s not yet given the superstar recognition he deserves.
16) Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
Now catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, Brown has the speed and route-running ability to stretch defenses. Often labeled inconsistent, his playmaking ability makes him far more valuable than critics admit.
15) Jamel Dean
Dean’s speed and physicality allow him to match up with top receivers. He quietly locks down his side of the field with minimal recognition.
14) Matt Milano
Milano has been a coverage weapon and tackling machine, but injuries and Buffalo’s offensive focus keep him underrated despite his immense impact.
13) Christian Darrisaw
An elite young tackle, Darrisaw has blossomed into one of the NFL’s best blindside protectors. Still, he doesn’t get mentioned among the league’s top linemen often enough.
12) Demario Davis
One of the smartest and most dependable linebackers of the last decade, Davis remains the heartbeat of the Saints’ defense. His consistency is still undervalued league-wide.
11) Kenny Moore II
Moore is arguably the best slot corner in football, shutting down elite receivers inside. Yet, his contributions rarely earn national attention.
10) David Onyemata
Onyemata’s power and quickness inside have made him a disruptive force. He doesn’t draw headlines, but he’s a crucial piece of Atlanta’s defensive improvement.
9) Tyler Lockett
Following a decade of outstanding service with the Seahawks, Tyler Lockett was released by Seattle on March 5, 2025, as a cost-saving move that cleared $17 million in cap space. He signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans in April 2025 (up to $6 million with incentives), where he'll bring veteran leadership and reliable route running to support their new quarterback and receiving corps.
8) Talanoa Hufanga
Hufanga earned First-Team All-Pro honors with the 49ers in 2022, but injuries in 2023 and his low-profile move to Denver in 2025 have pushed him out of the spotlight. Despite that, he’s still one of the most instinctive safeties in football - capable of flying downhill against the run, disguising coverages, and coming up with game-changing turnovers. In Denver, he’s already been named a captain, showing his leadership and impact are undeniable. Yet he rarely gets mentioned among the league’s elite safeties, making him one of the most underrated defensive backs heading into 2025.
7) Alim McNeill
A dominant force inside, McNeill plays a key role in Detroit’s defensive turnaround. His ability to eat double teams opens lanes for his teammates.
6) Jahan Dotson
Acquired by the Eagles in August 2024, Dotson got a full offseason and training camp in 2025 to mesh with the offense - something he never had in Washington. Still playing behind stars like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, his opportunities have been limited but he’s shown flashes (like a 51-yard gain vs. Dallas) that hint at a hidden upside. He’s a classic case of “underrated” because his impact doesn’t yet match the limited targets he receives.
5) Jaylon Johnson
Johnson has established himself as a true lockdown corner. Quarterbacks often avoid throwing his way, but his lack of interceptions keeps him underrated in mainstream discussions.
4) Rashan Gary
A relentless pass rusher who disrupts both the run and pass, Gary has quietly developed into one of the NFL’s most complete edge defenders, though he doesn’t get the national attention he deserves.
3) Christian Wilkins
Christian Wilkins, once a cornerstone defensive tackle in Miami, signed a massive deal with the Raiders in 2024 but was released after just one season due to injuries, off-field controversy, and disputes over guaranteed money. Now a free agent, his situation overshadows the fact that he’s still one of the league’s most disruptive interior defenders when healthy, capable of wrecking plays as both a pass rusher and run stopper. Despite elite production in his prime, his current free-agent status makes him one of the most underrated and overlooked players heading into the 2025 season.
2) Chris Olave
Olave has shown superstar potential since entering the league, but inconsistent quarterback play has kept him from national stardom. His ability to stretch defenses and create separation is already top-tier.
1) Amon-Ra St. Brown
Despite back-to-back elite seasons, St. Brown still isn’t always mentioned alongside Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase. His precise route running and ability to move the chains make him the heartbeat of Detroit’s passing attack.
