There are so many players in the NFL who, for some reason or another, just don't get the attention they deserve -- which includes going to Pro Bowls.
That's why that game has become a joke in terms of evaluating a player's career. There are too many misses and there is too much popularity involved. For evidence, check out my Most Overrated list, headlined by the most overhyped player in the league, Kam Chancellor.
One of the big Pro Bowl misses from 2015 is the player I think is the NFL's Most Underrated. He is Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams.
A year ago, I picked him as his team's most-underrated player. But after an impressive 16 games in 2015, where he played as well as any nose in the league, Williams shoots to the top overall honor.
How he missed out on a Pro Bowl in 2015 is mystifying.
At 6-foot-1, 335 pounds, he is a load inside against the run. It's tough for centers to move him in one-on-one situations and he helps free up the linebackers to run to the football.
Williams, who came out of tiny Missouri-Southern, is entering his fourth season and should be on the verge of getting more accolades. He doesn't get sacks, which hurts his chances to get noticed. He had just two last season, and has just 3.5 in his three seasons.
That's not where his impact is made, even if he can push the pocket some. He does the dirty work, anchoring in against the run. He also had 53 tackles last season, which is a lot for a nose.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Williams might be the best nose tackle in the game. But you'd never know it by the attention that comes his way.
So this is a start.
Now here are the most-underrated players for all 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals
Now that he's made the move to linebacker in their scheme, he has developed into a nice player. He might have struggled in coverage as a safety, but he fits in their scheme as a linebacker. He can run and he gets to the football.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have struggled to get consistent line play for much of Matt Ryan's tenure with the team, but Schraeder was a pleasant surprise last season. He's a tall tackle at 6-9, but does a nice job in pass protection and has improved in the run game.
Baltimore Ravens
He has emerged as one of the better run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league. But he's also capable of getting push from the middle in the passing game. Now entering his third season, this player from tiny Missouri-Southern has become a big part of the Ravens defense.
Buffalo Bills
He came back after sitting out the 2014 season because of Bullygate to have one of his best seasons. He is a mauler in the run game who will fight to the whistle and beyond. The Bills were smart to bring him back.
Carolina Panthers
Trai Turner, the other guard, gets a lot of attention and rightfully so. He is a heck of a player. But Norwell, in his second season as a starter in 2015, isn't far behind. He plays with a nasty streak. There is a play from last season against Seattle where he got three blocks on one long run. Carolina has to be thrilled with their guards.
Chicago Bears
As a rookie in 2015, he had 4.5 sacks and did a nice job against the run. As he learns more tricks of the position, those numbers will go up. He really came on in the second half of his rookie season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Forget the antics. Forget all the talk. He might have had his best season in 2015. Maybe his swagger is what makes him so good. Jones, formerly known as Pacman, had an impressive season in coverage in 2015. Not bad for a guy who turns 33 in September.
Cleveland Browns
While Joe Haden has struggled, this second-year player has impressed as a slot corner. Although only 5-9, this undrafted player has done a nice job inside as the nickel corner.
Dallas Cowboys
In a secondary that had a ton of injury issues, Church was a consistent starter in 2015, getting 15 starts with a 117 tackles. The 28-year-old Church is never going to be great when asked to play the deep middle. But when he's near the line of scrimmage, he's a good player. He's the Cowboys leading tackler over the past three seasons.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos signed him to a contract extension in the offseason for a reason. He is a perfect linebacker for today's style of game, a run-and-chase player who can cover but also can be an effective player in the run game. He doesn't get much attention on their star-studded defense, but he should.
Detroit Lions
You would think he had a bad season in 2015 the way it's portrayed, but it was far from it. He tied for seventh in the league with 32 touchdown passes and threw for over 4,000 yards for the fifth straight season. He has averaged almost 29 touchdown passes per year in that time frame. He's better than his reputation.
Green Bay Packers
People are finally starting to notice his play, but not enough. He doesn't rack up big numbers in their scheme, getting 18 sacks in four seasons and four in 2015. But his game is much better than those sack numbers. He influences the quarterback and he is good against the run.
Houston Texans
This converted corner took over as the starter at free safety after Rahim Moore was benched and led the team in interceptions with four. He has the range that is needed to play the middle of the field, continuing a league trend of converted corners moving inside.
Indianapolis Colts
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson takes a lot of heat for missing on free agents, but he hit on Langford last season. After coming over from the Rams, Langford played well for the Colts. He had seven sacks and did a good job in the run game.
Jacksonville Jaguars
As simply a run-stuffing nose, he doesn't get a lot of attention. But he was a big reason why the Jaguars were solid against the run last season. He commands the double inside. There is nothing glamorous about the way he plays, but he is a good run defender.
Kansas City Chiefs
He is a power player who is coming off his best season, which is why the team re-signed him as a free agent. He isn't going to wow you with his numbers, but he is good against the run and can push the pocket.
Los Angeles Rams
With Chris Long now in New England, Hayes takes over as the full-time starter at left end. He has started 20 games the past two seasons, getting 9.5 sacks. Put on his tape against Seattle in Week 16 and you will see what he brings. He had three sacks that day and was impressive in the run game.
Miami Dolphins
It's hard to believe a guy who caught 110 passes and went to the Pro Bowl is underrated, but Landry is that. As the passing game becomes even more of a pro-style system under Adam Gase, his numbers might be even better. His touchdown numbers will certainly go up.
Minnesota Vikings
Barr, the team's first-round pick in 2014, has developed into one of the best outside linebackers in the league. He is long and can run and has instincts needed for the position. His interception of Peyton Manning against Denver last season shows his ability to play in coverage. I also think if he rushed more his sack numbers would go up after getting 3.5 last season.
New England Patriots
He started 14 games last season and led the team in interceptions with four. He isn't a top-level corner, but he is a good, solid cover player. Entering his fourth season, he has improved each of the past few seasons. He will be tough to get out of the lineup now.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints signed him to a contract extension this spring for a reason. He has developed into a top-level left tackle. He is so athletic for the position and is on a path to being a Pro Bowl player for a long time. He will be just 25 when the season begins, which means he has a lot of good football ahead of him.
New York Giants
He is the best center in New York now, ahead of Nick Mangold of the Jets, and one of the best in the league. Richburg, a former high-school quarterback, played guard as a rookie in 2014, but moved back to his college position of center last season and impressed. Here's a bet he goes to the Pro Bowl this season.
New York Jets
He signed as a free agent last season from San Diego and was a big part of Todd Bowles' defense. He played 99 percent of the snaps and had three interceptions for a defense that needed a playmaker on the back end. This former corner has made a nice transition inside.
Oakland Raiders
The addition of guard Kelechi Osemele gives the Raiders a nice tandem. But don't overlook this kid. Entering his third season, he has emerged as a future Pro Bowl player. He plays with a nasty streak that shows up on tape.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jenkins is a hybrid player who can line up outside, down in the box or in the deep middle. He has started at both corner and safety in his career, which makes him an important part of the Eagles defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
For the second time in his career, Gilbert started 16 games last season and established himself as one of the better right tackles in the league. After trimming down entering the season, he allowed one sack and was impressive against Broncos pass rusher Von Miller in their two meetings, holding him without a sack.
San Diego Chargers
If you talk rising shutdown corners, this is a name that should be on the list. He is a smallish corner at 5-10, 190 pounds, but he isn't afraid to mix it up. This third-year player is on the precipice of being one of the league's better corners. He had an impressive game last season against Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown, who some consider the best receiver in the league.
San Francisco 49ers
After battling injuries his first two seasons, Williams settled in as the starting nose tackle for 16 games and was a force in the run game. The 49ers were so impressed that they offered him a five-year deal to stay as a free agent. But he failed their physical, underwent ankle surgery, and signed a one-year deal. He might not be ready for the opener, but he is expected back early in the season.
Seattle Seahawks
We hear a ton about the Seattle front and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and the Legion of Boom, but Wright is often overlooked. He shouldn't be. That's why he's the pick here for the second straight year. He is a long, athletic linebacker who can run to the football. He's a big part of why Seattle has been so good on defense the past four years.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They signed him as a free agent from the Giants to help amp up their pass rush. Ayers doesn't have the speed to be a blow-by-the-tackle pass rusher, but he can pressure the quarterback. He does a better job rushing inside in the nickel than he does on the outside. He's a nice veteran addition to their roster.
Tennessee Titans
He led the Titans in tackles and was one of their better defensive players. This fifth-round pick from 2014 is good in the run game, and has improved in coverage. He also had 3.5 sacks last season and has 6.5 in two seasons.
Washington Redskins
He isn't flashy or a big name, but he makes plays. Baker had six sacks last season from his down spot in their 3-4 scheme. He is also good against the run. At 325 pounds, he has made himself into a heck of a down player.
