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Each of the 32 clubs in the NFL have at least one performer who doesn’t get his just dues. All of these players deserve a little more positive attention.
How do you determine if a player is underrated? These days, there are actually all kind of ratings, such as the ones from the fine folks at Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Could it be more of a case of being underappreciated or overlooked when it comes to those thousands of discussions surrounding the best in the NFL? Like all conversations about the best, it’s totally subjective.
One thing is for sure. Not one of the following 32 performers have earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. At least, not yet. But all have been solid contributors for their current teams and in some instances, even before that.
Arizona Cardinals: RB Chase Edmonds
Back in 2018, the Cardinals boasted the worst offense in the NFL. That included being ranked dead-last in both rushing and passing. They made strides in 2019 when it came to the ground game thanks to the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray and a trade that eventually brought Kenyan Drake to the desert.
The latter had a career a year with Arizona this past season but has moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders. That puts Chase Edmonds in the spotlight. The three-year pro comes off a year in which he amassed 1,267 combined yards and five scores and has reached the end zone a combined 10 times the last two years.
Atlanta Falcons: WR Russell Gage
This offseason, the franchise opted to part ways with 10-year wideout Julio Jones – dealt to the Tennessee Titans after a career with the Falcons that added up to 848 catches, 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns. The cupboard isn’t bare as with 2018 first-round pick Calvin Ridley on the roster. He’s played in a total of 44 contests and has already amassed 217 receptions – 26 for scores.
That same year, the Falcons used a sixth-round choice on LSU wideout Russell Gage. His numbers have steadily increased since his arrival and they come off a season in which he was targeted 109 times, snaring 72 passes for 786 yards and four scores.