Every NFL team's most underrated player

Johnson's star has dimmed after missing nearly all of 2017 due to injury and averaging just 3.6 yards per carry last season behind a terrible offensive line. However, Johnson's league-leading 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in 2016 wasn't a fluke, and he should be able to find more space in Kliff Kingsbury's offense this season. Johnson is still a playmaker who can strike fear into a defense.

After holding teams to only 4.1 yards per rush in 2017, Jones' first as a Pro Bowler, the Falcons allowed a terrible 4.9 yards per rush last year. It's no coincidence that while Jones was missing 10 games due to injury in 2018, opposing offenses were running wild in his absence. Atlanta's defense could make a big improvement this season just by way of Jones and safety Keanu Neal staying on the field.

Humphrey has yet to make a Pro Bowl in his first two seasons, but that's not to say he isn't deserving. He's been a key player on elite defenses in Baltimore over the last two seasons, though Humphrey hasn't flashed huge tackle or takeaway totals. He's quickly become Baltimore's best cover corner, however, so the Pro Bowls should be coming.

Hughes has been a stalwart on Buffalo's defense since joining the team in 2013, with 42 sacks over six seasons. He's also never missed a game since joining the Bills, yet Hughes hasn't received Pro Bowl consideration.

Reid didn't find an NFL contract last year until the season started. It's hardly debatable that his profile in the anthem protests had something to do with the lack of interest, but Reid has been an outstanding safety for his entire career. He earned a multiyear contract from Carolina this offseason after recording 71 tackles and five passes defensed in only 13 games last year.

There are many underrated performers in what has become the NFL's premier defense in Chicago, but Goldman is one who rarely gets mentioned. He masterfully plays his role as a run stuffer, recording 84 tackles over the last two seasons and helping the Bears hold opposing offenses to 3.8 yards per carry last year.

Atkins has plenty of honors for his play during his career, but he's still rarely mentioned among the elite pass rushers these days. He's recorded at least nine sacks in four straight seasons, and it's even more impressive that Atkins has accomplished those numbers as an interior pass rusher. He's now made seven Pro Bowls in nine seasons and is nearly to the point that he's deserving consideration as a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Vernon has recorded double-digit sacks only once during his seven-year career, but he's one of the elite quarterback disrupters in the league. He's recorded at least 20 quarterback hits in three of the last four seasons, including last year when he played only 11 games with the Giants. Vernon has the ability to make Cleveland's pass rush elite this year.

Vander Esch made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, but it can't be understated how well he played last year. The Boise State alum recorded 140 tackles despite starting only 11 games while waiting his turn behind Sean Lee, and he also played well in coverage with seven passes defensed and two picks. He helped Dallas allow only 3.8 yards per carry and is already among the elite middle linebackers in the game.

Often playing in the shadow of Demaryius Thomas as Denver's No. 2 wideout, Sanders has been incredibly productive since signing with Denver in 2014. He's made two Pro Bowls during that time with three 1,000 yard seasons. While he's missed a total of eight games over the last two seasons with injuries, Sanders still averaged six catches per game last year. Even coming off an injury, Sanders should make the jobs of new quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Drew Lock much easier this year.

When he's been on the field, Jones has proved to be an elite deep threat for the Lions since signing in 2016. He had 16.9 yards per reception in 2016 and a league-leading 18.0 yards per reception in 2017, with 1,101 total receiving yards. He missed significant time to injury last year but was still on a nearly 1,000-yard pace over nine games. Even with the highlight catches and excellent production, Jones hasn't made a Pro Bowl in his seven-year career.

For whatever reason, head coach Mike McCarthy insisted on a timeshare between Jones and fellow 2017 draftee Jamaal Williams despite the fact that Jones has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in consecutive seasons while Williams' average is only 3.7 yards. It's clear who the better back is, and it's not even close. Maybe Jones will get more playing time with new head coach Matt LaFleur running the show.

Oh, what could be. Fuller has shown flashes of an elite wide receiver when on the field in his three seasons, but he's played a total of 31 games over that time due to injury. A perfect complement to star wideout DeAndre Hopkins, Fuller had 503 yards and four touchdowns in only seven games last year.

Castonzo has been one of the league's best left tackles since he was drafted by the Colts in 2011. While he's paid appropriately, Castonzo has still yet to make a Pro Bowl during his eight-year career. The Colts allowed a league-low 18 sacks last season with Castonzo's help.

Dareus is a well-known name who made two Pro Bowls early in his career, but the perception is that he's not a productive player since the Bills traded him to Jacksonville in 2017. That's not the case. While Dareus isn't the pass rusher he was early in his career, he's an elite run stuffer in the middle of the Jags defense, and the team's run defense played markedly better after his addition in 2017.

The reality of the Pro Bowl is that right tackles rarely get respect, but none is more deserving than Schwartz. He's an elite pass blocker for the Chiefs and has never missed a game during his seven-year career. Schwartz did get some credit with an All-Pro honor last year, but he's arguably the best offensive lineman in the NFL.

King's value to the Chargers in just two seasons can't be understated. Not only has he become arguably the best slot corner in the league, but he also contributes as the team's primary returner. While King was an All-Pro for his performance last season, he still failed to make the Pro Bowl with 62 tackles, three picks and 10 passes defensed.

Everett hasn't produced much in his first two seasons, but that's more due to lack of opportunity than lack of talent. The former second-round pick had 33 receptions last season despite getting fewer than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in 13 out of 16 regular-season games. He's a breakout candidate this season if Sean McVay shuffles his formations more often and keeps Everett on the field.

Fitzpatrick is probably no better than 50-50 to win the Dolphins starting quarterback job over second-year pro Josh Rosen, but based on his recent performance, Fitzpatrick is deserving. He was inconsistent with the Bucs last year but had a staggering 9.6 yards per attempt in eight games, leading the league. The Harvard alum has been productive in the past, as well, such as in his 2015 season with the Jets when he led the team to a 10-6 record. Fitzpatrick is far from elite, but he deserves a starting job after what he did last year.

Through two NFL seasons, Cook has been an excellent producer for the Vikings with 969 yards rushing and 4.7 yards per carry in 15 games. He's also added 51 receptions, showing his dynamic ability out of the backfield. Unfortunately Cook has been unable to stay healthy in his first two NFL seasons, but he could be an elite back if he's able to stay on the field.

The Patriots remained one of the most proficient offensive lines in the NFL last year, and Mason's work at right guard was a big reason. He started 14 games and the Patriots allowed only 21 sacks, third-least in the league. There has been some turnover on the Patriots line recently, but Mason remains one player the team doesn't have to worry about at right guard.

The New Orleans defense was the laughingstock of the league for several seasons, but things turned around in 2017 with the help of an outstanding draft. The team's first pick in that draft was Lattimore, who was selected 11th overall and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. After allowing the second-most points in the league in 2016, the Saints defense has ranked 10th and 14th in the league over the last two seasons, respectively, with the help of Lattimore's lockdown coverage ability.

Acquired from Cleveland for Olivier Vernon this offseason, Zeitler should help a shoddy Giants offensive line. He hasn't missed a game over the last four seasons, showing consistent play as both a pass and run blocker. Zeitler hasn't been named to the Pro Bowl in his seven-year career, but he's certainly deserving of consideration.

Tight ends rarely help in their rookie seasons and especially those who aren't drafted in the first few rounds. Herndon was an exception last year, as the fourth-round pick out of Miami had an impressive 39 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns with a fellow rookie in Sam Darnold at quarterback. He could be in for even bigger things ahead with Adam Gase calling plays.

Hudson has been on the best centers in the league since his arrival in 2011. He signed a big contract with Oakland in 2015 and has made two Pro Bowls in his four seasons with the team, also playing all 16 games in three straight years. An anchor of what has been one of the better offensive lines in the game recently, Hudson is often overlooked as an elite offensive lineman.

While Jackson is injury prone, he remains the league's premier deep threat when he's on the field. He led the NFL in yards per reception for the fourth time in his career last season and did so at age 32. For his career, Jackson has averaged a staggering 17.4 yards per reception and ranks sixth among active players with 10,261 career receiving yards. His addition to the Eagles is the deep threat that the team has been searching for in recent years.

Tuitt is overshadowed by flashier players in the Steelers front seven, but he's been as valuable as anyone. The defensive lineman has 19 sacks over the last four seasons and is coming off an impressive year with a career-high 20 quarterback hits. Tuitt also plays the run extremely well for Pittsburgh.

Breida was quietly spectacular for the 49ers last season with assumed starter Jerick McKinnon injured. He rushed for 814 yards in 14 games, averaging an elite 5.3 yards per carry. Unfortunately Breida is likely to ride the bench more often in 2019 after the 49ers signed former Falcons running back Tevin Coleman.

Seattle received criticism for drafting Penny in the first round last year despite having Chris Carson on the roster. Penny's slow adjustment to the NFL validated the criticism, but he looks like a player ready to break out in 2019. Penny averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season and 6.4 yards per carry over his final six games. A true home run threat, Penny should eat into Carson's playing time this year.

Tampa Bay lost DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries this offseason, but the Bucs aren't too worried. Godwin is a big reason why, as the third-year wideout flashed great ability last year with 59 receptions for 842 yards and seven scores. He could join teammate Mike Evans as a household name this year with the likelihood of many more targets.

Henry shared playing time with Dion Lewis early last season, but the Titans couldn't keep him off the field later in the year. Over his final four games, Henry rushed for an incredible 585 yards and seven scores and averaged an outstanding 4.9 yards per carry for the season. While Henry is limited as a receiver, he's as tough as any back in the league to bring down.

Kerrigan has shown incredible consistency during his career and is putting together a potential Hall of Fame resume. The linebacker has never missed a game in his eight-year career, and his 84.5 sacks rank fifth among active players. A four-time Pro Bowler, Kerrigan is still rarely mentioned on the short list of truly elite pass rushers but is certainly deserving.