Most underappreciated player on each AFC team

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa rightfully earn most of the kudos for Miami's high-powered offense, but they aren't the only Dolphins having stellar seasons on that side of the ball. A running back who averages 5.4 yards per carry for his career also makes Miami go offensively. Here's the most underappreciated player on each AFC team as determined by Yardbarker NFL writers:

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Defensive tackle Ed Oliver: Some considered the four-year, $68 million extension Oliver signed last offseason an overpay, but the 2019 first-rounder — who has already matched his career high in sacks (five) — is outperforming the deal. Despite playing just nine games, Oliver leads all defensive tackles in pressures (41) and pressure rate (16.8%, min. 150 pass rushes), according to Next Gen Stats.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Running back Raheem Mostert: Miami's second-ranked passing attack has seemingly overshadowed its dominant running game, and while rookie De'Von Achane might be its most explosive tailback, Mostert has been consistently productive. In addition to being tied with Christian McCaffrey for the NFL lead in total touchdowns (13), Mostert ranks first in yards per carry (5.6) and ninth in rushing yards (605).

NEW YORK JETS | Linebacker C.J. Mosley: While New York's elite cornerback duo and impressive group of pass-rushers are the main draws on the star-studded defense, Mosley is also instrumental in the unit's sixth-place ranking in terms of points and passing yards allowed. The five-time Pro Bowler is putting together another All-Pro-caliber season, ranking fifth in the NFL in tackles (96), and he is Pro Football Focus' highest-rated linebacker (90.1).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Linebacker Jahlani Tavai: The versatile linebacker has broken out for the Patriots in his age-27 season and is on his way to setting career highs in just about every major category. Tavai is third on the team in tackles (61) and pass breakups (four). Although he has been criticized for his coverage skills, Tavai has performed better than some may expect in that department considering he has only given up 76 yards in 186 coverage snaps against wideouts. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian: He entered the season as an unheralded backup but quickly became a key contributor. Through nine games, he’s third on the team in tackles for loss (five), and Pro Football Focus gives him an 85.9 grade, third among CBs.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Defensive end George Karlaftis: In his second season, Karlafitis is establishing himself as a formidable pass-rusher. In nine games, the former Purdue Boilermaker leads the team in sacks (six) and pressures (23). He has helped the defense, which is tied for third in sacks (31) and second in points allowed (15.9), vault to a new level.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Linebacker Robert Spillane: Spillane is the team's second-best defensive player behind star DE Maxx Crosby. Through 10 games, he leads the team in tackles (81) and interceptions (three). The 27-year-old earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week following a Week 10 win over the Jets.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu: The L.A. defense has underwhelmed, but the emergence of the rookie linebacker is a bright spot. The second-round pick out of Southern Cal is fourth on the team in sacks (four) and second in tackles for loss (seven). As of Thursday, oddschecker puts him in the top 10 in Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike: The defense is playing lights-out halfway through the season, and a big reason why is Madubuike, who is having a career year (team-leading 8.5 sacks). There are much bigger names on the defense (Roquan Smith, Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen), but the fourth-year defensive tackle is a big game-wrecker, too.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Guard Joel Bitonio: Offensive linemen infrequently get the credit they deserve, but Bitonio is a dominant people mover in the trenches. The 10th-year veteran keeps his quarterback clean, allowing zero sacks on 605 snaps, per Pro Football Focus, and is a big reason the Browns are averaging the second-most rushing yards per game (147.9) in the league.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Wide receiver Tyler Boyd: Boyd had a season-high eight catches for 117 yards in Week 10, but his drop of a potential TD pass late in the loss to Houston is what fans talked about. That's a shame considering the veteran wide receiver has been consistent throughout his eight-year career, posting at least 762 yards receiving and four TD catches from 2018-22. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins get most of the credit at wideout, but don't sleep on Boyd.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Linebacker Alex Highsmith: Highsmith isn’t having a repeat performance of his 2022 season (14.5 sacks), but he is still wreaking havoc opposite LB T.J. Watt. The fourth-year linebacker has the second-most sacks (4.5) on the Steelers, two forced fumbles and a pick-six. What goes unnoticed, however, are his pressures. He generated 11 in Week 9 and is among the league leaders, per Next Gen Stats. — Aaron Becker

AFC South 

HOUSTON TEXANS | Defensive end Jonathan Greenard: The defense is still a work in progress, but it would be in far worse shape if it didn’t have Greenard, who quietly ranks in the top 12 of the NFL in sacks with seven. The 26-year-old edge-rusher is tied with rookie Will Anderson for the team lead in pressures (31), and he ranks second to Anderson in hurries (16) and QB hits (seven). Though he didn’t contribute much in 2022 while missing half of the season, he had eight sacks in 2021, and he’s on pace for his first season with double-digit sacks.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Cornerback Kenny Moore II: When Isaiah Rodgers was suspended for the season for violating the NFL’s gambling policy and subsequently released, many media pundits were throwing out trade scenarios of players Indy should target to replace him. It must have slipped their minds just how reliable and consistent Moore has been in his seven years with the Colts. He is tied for the team lead with three interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Wide receiver Christian Kirk: He was a controversial signing last offseason (because of his $18 million-per-year salary), but a season-and-a-half in to the deal, he’s earning every penny. Kirk is consistently targeted seven to eight times per game, and this season, he leads the team in targets (71), receiving yards (624) and TD catches (three).

TENNESSEE TITANS | Defensive end Denico Autry: Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry get the attention when it comes to Titans pass-rushers, but Autry is just as good, if not better than both of them since joining the team during the 2021 offseason. Since 2021, Autry has 142 pressures, 90 hurries, 25 QB hits and 23 sacks. This season, Autry leads the Titans in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (six). — Michael Gallagher