Has any player's stock soared as much in one year as that of New England quarterback Tom Brady? Are you kidding me?

Tom Brady hasn't yet proven he is more than a one-year phenomenon. (Allsport)

For that reason, he is now considered here the most overrated player in the league.

He's good, but the verdict is far from in on him as a passer. Now that teams have a year to prepare for him what will he do? With the pressure now on his back, can he handle it?

The feel-good story of 2001, Brady has to show it wasn't all some fluke. This isn't to say he can't do it, but let's wait and see.

Thus Brady takes the MOP (Most Overrated Player) award for this year.

The other serious contenders were Miami running back Ricky Williams, Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn, Chicago quarterback Jim Miller, San Diego linebacker Junior Seau (hard to believe, right?), Tennessee defensive end Kevin Carter and Carolina receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

A year ago, Mike Alstott was picked in this space as the most overrated player in the NFL.

That led to an outcry in Tampa. How could anyone be so shortsighted that they couldn't see the value in the A-Train?

Despite one of his better stat seasons in 2001 -- averaging a career-high 4.1 yards per rush and catching 35 passes -- what people around the league finally figured out about Alstott was what those numbers show: He's a solid player, but not a player who should go to the Pro Bowl every year as a fullback.

In fact, he rarely plays the position, and when he does, he's not nearly good enough as the lead blocker.

So who's the most underrated player in the league?

Last year, Colts linebacker Mike Peterson took that honor, and was on his way to an outstanding season before breaking his leg midway through the year. Peterson is still somewhat underrated, but he's now not even the most underrated linebacker on his team anymore. That honor goes to Marcus Washington, who is on his way to becoming a Pro Bowl player. Those two give the Colts an outstanding duo on the outside.

Antoine Winfield is small but plays physical on the corner.(Allsport)

Other players considered were Bears linebacker Roosevelt Colvin, Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie.

Those players all had their best seasons in 2001 and seem to be on the curve up. But that can change in a hurry.

Who knows, one of those players could be an overrated selection next year.

Or maybe Brady will prove this whole process wrong when he goes out and wins another Super Bowl and throws for 3,500 yards. Until that happens, let's just cut down on all the hype.

The following is a list of overrated and underrated players for each team:

Atlanta Falcons

Overrated: Dunn is nothing more than a third-down back who averaged 2.8 per carry last season for Tampa Bay. The Falcons paid way too much for a guy who whines when things don't go his way.

Underrated: Wide receiver Brian Finneran isn't a name most would recognize, but he averaged 21.3 yards on his 23 catches last season. He also had four plays of 40 yards or longer.

Arizona Cardinals

Overrated: Running back Thomas Jones was a high first-round pick two years ago who has to prove he can do it this season or he won't be around much longer.

Underrated: Tight end Freddie Jones caught 71 passes two years ago for the Chargers. He has that type of ability and should excel in the Cardinals offense.

Baltimore Ravens

Overrated: Guard Edwin Mulitalo played much better in 2000 than he did in 2001. Injuries did have an effect.

Underrated: Wide receiver Brandon Stokley isn't used as much as some around the league think the Ravens should use him. He's an effective player when he gets on the field.

Buffalo Bills

Overrated: Guard Ruben Brown is still a good player, but he isn't the Pro Bowl player his reputation has earned him.

Underrated: Winfield hasn't made the Pro Bowl yet, but he will. He's a tough guy who can play solid man coverage.

Carolina Panthers

Overrated: Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad is nothing more than a possession receiver, averaging under 12 yards per catch the past two seasons.

Underrated: Defensive end Mike Rucker led the team with nine sacks and is the reason why top pick Julius Peppers will play the left side.

Chicago Bears

Overrated: QB Jim Miller signed a new contract this offseason, but he won't be the starter when it counts. Chris Chandler is a better player.

Underrated: Playing alongside Brian Urlacher and Warrick Holdman, linebacker Roosevelt Colvin doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Cincinnati Bengals

Overrated: Wide receiver Peter Warrick caught 70 passes, but averaged under 10 yards per catch. That could also be because of the way he is used in the offense.

Underrated: Linebacker Brian Simmons gets overlooked because Takeo Spikes is so good playing next to him. But Simmons is one heck of a linebacker.

Cleveland Browns

Overrated: Tackle Ryan Tucker didn't play well in 2001, in part because of injuries. But the Browns think he can be an effective starter.

Underrated: Daylon McCutcheon has developed into a good corner. He's small, but he's a good cover player who will tackle.

Dallas Cowboys

Overrated: Wide receiver Joey Galloway has been one of the moves that backfired on Jerry Jones. He has deep speed, but the numbers haven't been there.

Underrated: Defensive tackle Brandon Noble is a self-made player who has started 25 games the past two seasons. He's a battler.

Denver Broncos

Overrated: Cornerback Deltha O'Neal had a lot of interceptions last season, and went to the Pro Bowl, but he isn't among the five best in the AFC.

Underrated: Second-year defensive end Reggie Hayward should have a breakout season from the right end spot.

Detroit Lions

Overrated: Defensive linemen Luther Elliss had a major drop in production last season. He didn't get a sack the entire season.

Underrated: Fullback Corey Schlesinger caught a career-high 60 passes last season and was a battering ram as a lead blocker.

Green Bay Packers

Overrated: Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila burst onto the scene with nine sacks in the first four games, but finished with 13 when teams figured him out. He's now being tried at linebacker.

Underrated: McKenzie has made himself into a solid cover corner. The Packers believe he should have gone to the Pro Bowl last season.

Houston Texans

Overrated: Wide receiver Jermaine Lewis is one of the league's best return men, but as a receiver he's overrated. The Texans plan to start him as a receiver.

Underrated: Defensive tackle Gary Walker has been the Jaguars best defensive player the past couple of years. He continues to improve.

Indianapolis Colts

Overrated: Defensive end Chad Bratzke never appeared comfortable in the old scheme. He might be better suited to Tony Dungy's system.

Underrated: Marcus Washington is on the verge of something special. The new defense should suit him perfectly.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Overrated: Safety Donovin Darius is a good solid player, but he isn't ready for the Pro Bowl like the Jaguars think he is.

Underrated: Guard Brad Meester has started 32 games in his first two seasons, but might move inside to center. He will be a better center than guard.

Kansas City Chiefs

Overrated: Tackle Willie Roaf has to prove he can overcome his injuries and off-field troubles to get back to his Pro Bowl form. It won't be easy.

Underrated: Safety Greg Wesley has established himself as one of the risers at the position. He will hit, but he's also solid in coverage.

Miami Dolphins

Overrated: Ricky Williams. He isn't the answer to the running game woes. There is no big-play ability there.

Underrated: Cornerback Patrick Surtain outplayed Sam Madison in 2001. He could be a Pro Bowl player this season.

Minnesota Vikings

Overrated: Cornerback Corey Chavous isn't the answer to the cornerback troubles. He doesn't run well enough to be an effective cover player.

Underrated: Defensive lineman Chris Hovan is an all-out player all the time. He's on the verge of the Pro Bowl.

New England Patriots

Overrated: Tom Brady. He's on his way to being a good quarterback, but let's hold off on putting him into Canton just yet.

Underrated: Safety Tebucky Jones came into the league as a corner, but has developed into a solid safety. He gets overlooked playing next to Lawyer Milloy, but he had a heck of a season in 2001.

New Orleans Saints

Overrated: Linebacker Keith Mitchell went to the Pro Bowl in 2000, but played poorly last season and will be released June 1.

Underrated: Cornerback Fred Thomas doesn't get a lot of attention, but he quietly had made himself a solid corner who isn't afraid to mix it up despite his size.

New York Giants

Overrated: Running back Ron Dayne lost weight and still didn't gain quickness. Aren't the Giants better off just sticking with Tiki Barber?

Underrated: Right tackle Luke Petitgout has become a good player. He was a surprise first-round pick a couple of years ago, but he has lived up to the selection.

New York Jets

Overrated: Cornerback Donnie Abraham lost his job in Tampa last season to a so-so player in Brian Kelly.

Underrated: Wide receiver Laveranues Coles had a breakout season in 2001 and should be even better this season.

Oakland Raiders

Overrated: Safety Rod Woodson, a free-agent signing, can't run with receivers anymore. He is still a smart, heady player but isn't close to being what he once was -- even a couple of years ago.

Underrated: Center Adam Treu took over when Barrett Robbins went down and had a solid 2001 season. He could be back on the bench, though.

Philadelphia Eagles

Overrated: Running back Duce Staley would have lost his job to Correll Buckhalter if it weren't for the latter's knee injury. Staley doesn't have big-play ability anymore.

Underrated: Left tackle Tra Thomas has become one of the best in the league at his position.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Overrated: Linebacker Jason Gildon is a good player, but he is pretty one-dimensional. He is perfect for the 3-4 defense, but he can be run against. A good player, but not as great as some rate him.

Underrated: Right tackle Marvel Smith became a good player in his second season. He started all 16 games in 2001.

San Diego Chargers

Overrated: Junior Seau was once the best in the league at his position, but he didn't play as well in 2001. Still a good player, not a great one anymore.

Underrated: Defensive end Raylee Johnson came back from missing all of 2000 with an injury to get to get 9 1/2 sacks, but few noticed since fellow end Marcellus Wiley had 13.

St. Louis Rams

Overrated: Cornerback Dexter McCleon got picked on last season and the team wouldn't mind replacing him.

Underrated: Linebacker Tommy Polley had an outstanding rookie season and could be a Pro Bowl candidate.

San Francisco 49ers

Overrated: Wide receiver J.J. Stokes has never lived up to his pre-NFL hype. This team needs an upgrade opposite Terrell Owens.

Underrated: Cornerback Ahmed Plummer is one of the rising players at his position. He covers, tackles and will hit you.

Seattle Seahawks

Overrated: Linebacker Levon Kirkland can't run anymore, and it showed up last season. As one scout said, he looks like a tackle playing linebacker.

Underrated: Wide receiver Darrell Jackson caught 70 passes for 1,081 yards and was clearly the team's best receiver.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Overrated: Center Jeff Christy sure isn't the same player he was in Minnesota. He could lose his job to Todd Washington this season.

Underrated: End Simeon Rice was far better than expected against the run last season. He also had 11 sacks and was the team's best overall lineman.

Tennessee Titans

Overrated: Defensive end Kevin Carter got the big money and then had two sacks in 16 games. He was a major disappointment.

Underrated: Quarterback Steve McNair has elevated his game to the top of the league's passers. He's much more comfortable in the pocket.

Washington Redskins

Overrated: Linebacker Jessie Armstead went to the Pro Bowl last season, but he shouldn't have. He's decent, but he didn't play well in 2001.

Underrated: Cornerback Fred Smoot doesn't get the attention of Champ Bailey, but he is coming off a great rookie season and excels in coverage.