For various reasons, the media seems to overhype players that don’t ever live up to their expectations. Today, we will rank every team’s most overrated players (NFC teams only)!
There will be a Part 2 with AFC Teams. Also, follow @nflmayhem on Instagram!
Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes
Xavier Rhodes isn’t a very bad CB, but receives more credit than he deserves. Per Football Focus, among the 120 cornerbacks who played 300-plus snaps, only SIX had lower PFF grades than Rhodes. In 15 games, he didn’t end up with a single interception and forced just one fumble. Those stats led him to a Pro Bowl. Yikes.
Detroit Lions: Kerryon Johnson
The former second round pick out of Auburn is not what the Lions anticipated him to be. Johnson has been placed on IR two times in his two year career. When he isn’t on IR, he does not perform as a 2nd rounder should. In 7 game started (2019), he totaled a mere 403 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. Even if he played a full season, he was on pace for less than 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers, a former Super Bowl MVP that is considered one of the greatest QBs to play the game, has digressed plenty. In 2019, he threw for 26 TDs and 2 yards over 4,000. He also led his team to the NFC Championship to get blown out by the 49ers. These may seem like great numbers, and quite frankly they are. However, for a QB considered to be as great as Rodgers, 26 touchdowns doesn’t cut it. Sorry Packers fans, but 2020 Aaron Rodgers is not 2010 Aaron Rodgers.
Chicago Bears: Nick Foles
How can he be overrated?! He was a backup and led his team to a Super Bowl win against the almighty Tom Brady! I have seen plenty of people say this, and it is very concerning. Sure he had a miraculous run in 2018, but he hasn’t proven much more outside of it. He is yet to play a full 16 games in 8 years in the NFL. Foles has his moments, but his consistency is an issue.
San Francisco 49ers: Kwon Alexander
Alexander was an extraordinary talent on the Buccaneers, but all has not remained the same on the 49ers. In just 8 games started, Alexander had just 1 interception and 0.5 sacks. He also recorded a career low 34 combined tackles. On a defense as elite as the 49ers, it has been hard for Kwon to showcase his talent.
Seattle Seahawks: Greg Olsen
The Seattle Seahawks signed the 35 year old Tight End this offseason, and it’s hard to tell if he will perform. Injuries have beat up Olsen, bothering him for the past 3 seasons. His peak performance in the NFL was from 2014-2016, where he became the first TE with 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. From 2017-2019, he has combined for a total of 1,079 yards. It is impossible for Seahawks fans to expect the peak Greg Olsen, as injuries and age have worn out his football abilities.
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff
Back in 2018, we all thought Jared Goff was the next rising star in the NFL. However, his 2019 slump says otherwise. He led the team to go 9-7, missing the playoffs. His TD:INT ratio was very poor, throwing 22 TDs and 16 interceptions. The part that makes him overrated is his contract. He is considered average by many people, and is the 3rd highest paid QB in the NFL ($33.5 million/year). This is an absurd amount of money for a QB best considered average.
Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson
This may seem shocking to many people, but remember that this is an opinion-based list. On PFF Cornerback grades through the regular season of 2019, Peterson did not even make the top 25. He also missed 6 games in the 2019 season. Peterson had a mere 7 pass deflections last year and only 2 interceptions. Patrick Peterson is a great CB that the Cardinals can lean on, but he isn’t as great as media portrays him.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Prescott was a phenomenal player in 2016, but his demand for money has gotten out of hand. After his 8-8 season in 2019, I find it surprising Jerry Jones continues to roll with Prescott as QB1. With his amazing offensive line, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper, it is hard to believe he was unable to win the worst division in football. Prescott has an outstanding team around him, yet he has won 1 playoff game in 4 years. If you can’t win, you shouldn’t be turning down 5 year, $175 million deals!
New York Giants: Leonard Williams
The 6th overall pick from USC has not played like a top 10 pick. In 12 games started in 2019, he only had 0.5 sacks! He also had a career low in tackles for loss and QB hits. Williams has only been in the NFL for 5 years, and has not improved since he was drafted. Leonard is only 26 years old and has time to turn around his career, but he has got to be quick and efficient.
Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett
By no means is Derek Barnett a bad player, but the Eagles simply need better performance by him. As one of the Eagles best defensive players and a 14th overall pick, 6.5 sacks is simply not enough. Many consider Barnett a very elite DE, but he must improve this offseason to reach that status.
Washington Redskins: Adrian Peterson
It was difficult putting one of the decades best RBs on this list. However, the 13 year veteran should not be a starting RB anymore. He started all but 1 game for the Redskins in 2019, and only managed to achieve 898 yards and 5 touchdowns. He averaged a very low 59.9 yards per game. Peterson is simply not the All-Pro RB he used to be, and quite frankly isn’t capable to be the RB1 on any team.
New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas is a top 5 WR in the NFL. There is no debate there. However, I do not believe he is #1 like some people say, or even top 3. Thomas averaged a poor 11.6 yards per completion with one of the greatest QBs in the NFL, Drew Brees. He is also the only threat to the Saints WR corp, leading him to get a large portion of the targets. As a deep threat, Michael Thomas does not compare to WRs like Hopkins, Davante Adams, and Tyreek Hill. His hype needs to dial down.
Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley
The 2019 season was a major drop off for Takkarist McKinley. In 13 games as a starter, McKinley provided a poor 3.5 sacks for Atlanta. As a primary defensive player for the Falcons and a first round pick, McKinley disappointed. McKinley is in a very similar situation to Derek Barnett, and must become a constant threat to the QB if he will succeed in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rob Gronkowski
The great Rob Gronkowski had a perfect situation in New England with Tom Brady. I believe it was a bad idea for him to retire. After a year without football and being hit by NFL players, it is hard to believe he will return to his normal level again. The Buccaneers are loaded on offense, with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, etc. You have to believe that Bruce Arians will trust O.J. Howard more than Gronkowski because he has played with him for a season.. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Gronk is simply a locker room guy for the Buccaneers.
Carolina Panthers: Donte Jackson
Last, but certainly not least, we have Donte Jackson. Jackson is highly known for his jumping ability and speed. His coverage abilities on the other hand are not great. Jackson had only 3 interceptions and 40 combined tackles in 2019. He was burnt plenty of times throughout the year, and blamed the coaches for it. Jackson is undoubtedly a very fast player, but he is not the greatest all-around CB. With the departure of James Bradberry, Jackson must step up as the CB1 for the Panthers.
