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Arizona Cardinals
Underrated: OLB Markus Golden
He finished tied for third in the league with Minnesota's Danielle Hunter in sacks with 12.5, and he's just scratching the surface. Entering his third season, he has the tools to push that sack total closer to 15-17. That would be a special season.
Overrated: G Mike Iupati
They paid him a lot of money two years ago as a free agent from the 49ers, and he's been a good run blocker, but he wasn't good in pass protection last season. He is a mauler leading David Johnson, but he has to be better protecting Carson Palmer.
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Atlanta Falcons
Underrated: DT Grady Jarrett
He has been underrated since he came into the league as a fifth-round pick. He was the captain of my Better-Than team in 2014, and his Super Bowl performance of three sacks shows the potential he has coming up in 2017. Expect a big season from Jarrett.
Overrated: DT Dontari Poe
The Falcons signed him to a one-year deal from the Chiefs with the hopes that he can amp up their run defense. He has had some good seasons, but the past two haven't been that good. He's playing for a big contract, and he was in good shape in the offseason, so maybe he can get off this list next season.
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Baltimore Ravens
Underrated: DT Michael Pierce
He played as a part-time player last season as a rookie, playing behind Brandon Williams. But when he was on the field he was a good run player. Even with Williams back on a free-agent deal, Pierce, who was undrafted out of Samford, should be an even bigger part of their defense this season.
Overrated: QB Joe Flacco
In recent years, he hasn't looked like the same player as the guy who excelled in the postseason in his career and won a Super Bowl. It's not all on him, but Flacco needs to be better than a guy who has thrown 36 touchdown passes and 27 picks over the past two seasons.
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Buffalo Bills
Underrated: G John Miller
After a tough rookie season in 2015 where he made 12 starts, Miller came back in 2016 and improved greatly in both his run blocking and pass protection. At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, he is a strong inside part of their run game, and that is his strong suit.
Overrated: WR Sammy Watkins
Will he ever live up to the hype? Can he stay healthy? Will he stay in Buffalo next year after the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option? Watkins has a ton of big-play ability, but injuries have plagued him in his three seasons. The best ability is availability and Watkins isn't available enough.
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Carolina Panthers
Underrated: G Andrew Norwell
Trai Turner, the other guard, gets most of the attention on the Carolina line -- and recently got a new contract -- but Norwell outplayed him last season. Norwell is a good run blocker who can move well to get to the second level. He was signed as undrafted free agent in 2014, and he has 38 starts in his three seasons.
Overrated: DT Star Lotulelei
After a strong start to his career, this 2013 first-round pick hasn't been the same player the past two seasons. Kawann Short, who starts next to him and came in the same draft class, has buzzed past him in terms of play. The Carolina defense regressed last year, and Lotulelei was a part of it.
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Chicago Bears
Underrated: DT Akiem Hicks
He signed a two-year deal with the Bears last spring as a free agent and responded with a season that saw him play as the team's best down lineman. Hicks is a big man who commands the double, but he also can push the pocket, as his seven sacks attest. He can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season, so this is a money year for him.
Overrated: RT Bobby Massie
It's hard to find one on their roster, but I went with Massie. The Bears gave Massie a three-year deal last spring as a free agent worth $19 million and he responded with a terrible season. Massie flashed with the Cardinals during his time with the team, which is why the Bears expected more from him last season.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Underrated: LB Vincent Rey
He has been a quality starter the past three seasons getting 33 starts, including 12 last season, and he's become a good player on their defense and a big part of their special teams. He isn't being counted on to start this season with Vontaze Burfict and Kevin Minter likely ahead of him, but you can bet he will be on the field a lot.
Overrated: RB Jeremy Hill
Over the past two seasons, he's averaged 3.6 and 3.8 yards per rush, which isn't close to being good enough. As a rookie in 2015, he averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had 1,124 yards. This is a big year for him, but the Bengals drafted Joe Mixon in the second round and he will likely take some of his carries.
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Cleveland Browns
Underrated: ILB Christian Kirksey
Pop on a Browns tape and I guarantee you this kid will show up. He plays inside in the Browns scheme and he led them in tackles last season with 148. On a good team, he would be getting a lot more attention.
Overrated: CB Joe Haden
Haden said earlier this year he could be the best corner in the league. He's got a ways to go. One thing that has hurt his career has been injuries. He's played just 18 games the past two seasons. Even when he's been on the field, he hasn't played like he did early in his career. At 28, he needs to pick it up.
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Dallas Cowboys
Underrated: CB Anthony Brown
As a sixth-round pick last season, he was impressive as a rookie corner, starting 10 games and showing the ability to be a long-term starter. He played both outside corner and in the slot last season, but he is expected to be a starter outside in 2017.
Overrated: QB Dak Prescott
I think he's going to be a terrific quarterback. He loves it and he lives it and he has the makeup to be a star down the road. But he isn't there right now, yet you'd think he was by the reactions of the media around the country. It will be a lot tougher for him going through the league this time, now that there is a book on him. I still think he will be damn good, but right now the hype is out of control.
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Denver Broncos
Underrated: C Matt Paradis
The Broncos offensive line had all kinds of issues last year, but none if it was because of Paradis. He was one of the better centers in the league in 2016. He isn't an overpowering player, but he gets by with his smarts and toughness and does a great job in their zone-based scheme in the run game. He played through a hip injury last season that forced him to have offseason surgery.
Overrated: NT Domato Peko
The Broncos signed him to amp up their run defense, but he wasn't as good against the run last year for the Bengals. Peko is 33, but down players can play longer in the league. He has to be better against the run.
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Detroit Lions
Underrated: DE Kerry Hyder
He is a self-made player who spent time on some practice squads before becoming a sometimes starter last season for the Lions. He led the team in sacks with 8.5 in 2016 although he started just two games. Hyder doesn't have great athletic ability or size, but he gets by with his effort and toughness.
Overrated: TE Eric Ebron
He had 61 catches last season with one touchdown, but you expect so much more. Not only that, he isn't a great blocker in the run game. This former first-round pick has the tools to be so much more.
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Green Bay Packers
Underrated: LT David Bakhtiari
When all the good left tackles are discussed, his name rarely gets mentioned. But he has developed into one of the better pass protectors in the league, which is even more important with Aaron Rodgers throwing so much under center.
Overrated: LB Clay Matthews
He is still considered a big-time player by some, but he hasn't been that in a few years. He was once a dominant player, but he isn't close to that anymore. He's solid, but not much more. He has a combined 11.5 sacks the past two seasons, although he has played inside a lot as well. He has also missed time with injuries, playing 12 games last season.
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Houston Texans
Underrated: NT D.J. Reader
As a rookie last season, he impressed as a rotational player playing inside and outside. This season, he will be expected to be the starting nose with Vince Wilfork gone. He started seven games last season as a fifth-round pick, but the Texans are expecting a lot more in 2017 -- and I expect him to respond and play well.
Overrated: G Jeff Allen
The Texans gave Allen a big contract as a free agent last season and he was a major disappointment. Allen moved from left guard, where he played in Kansas City, to right guard with the Texans and he wasn't the same player. The bang for the buck wasn't there as he was also bothered by injuries.
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Indianapolis Colts
Underrated: S Clayton Geathers
He played well for a bad defense last season, playing both safety and being used as a box linebacker in passing situations. He is a willing tackler as a strong safety, which is why playing him close to the line made sense. He is coming off neck surgery that shortened his season, and the Colts have placed him on the PUP list to start camp.
Overrated: CB Vontae Davis
He was once a top-level corner, but he certainly wasn't that last season. He had major issues for the Colts. It didn't help that the pass rush was bad, but as the No. 1 corner he has to be better. He was bothered by injuries some last season, and that likely factored, but he did start 14 games.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Underrated: DT Abry Jones
Who? That's right, a backup inside player is their most underrated, which is why he was rewarded with a new deal this spring and he will be a starter in 2017. He is a power player who continues to improve each year.
Overrated: S Tashaun Gipson
After signing a big deal last season, he hardly looked to be the same player he was in Cleveland. He did say that he was never comfortable in the scheme, but that's no excuse. He has to play better.
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Kansas City Chiefs
Underrated: C Mitch Morse
As a second-year player last season, Morse made big strides as the team's starting center. He has 31 starts the past two years and does a nice job anchoring the line. He has a chance to develop into one of the better centers in the league.
Overrated: OLB Tamba Hali
At 33, age is starting to work against him. He had 3.5 sacks last year, his lowest total since 2008. He's battled some injuries with his knees, but he is more of a rotation-type player now. One problem: He has a cap figure of $8.5 million with a base salary of $5.75 million. He went on a Twitter rant last weekend about playing time, but he isn't a starter anymore.
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Los Angeles Chargers
Underrated: CB Casey Hayward
After signing as a free agent last year from Green Bay, Hayward was outstanding for the Chargers. He had seven picks and excelled in coverage, which the Chargers need with Jason Verrett missed the final 13 games with an injury.
Overrated: LT Russell Okung
He was signed as a free agent from Denver, and will be the starting left tackle. He was bad in Denver last year, especially as a pass blocker. The Chargers need him to be better in that aspect of the game as the backside protector for Philip Rivers.
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Los Angeles Rams
Underrated: S Maurice Alexander
He is coming off a good 2016 season and he will be the starter at strong safety with T.J. McDonald gone to the Dolphins. He started 14 games at free safety last year and did a nice job in coverage. That will give him a nice advantage as a strong safety, where some in the league at that spot lack the cover skills.
Overrated: RB Todd Gurley
After his impressive 2015 rookie season, he was considered a top-five back. But then he went out and rushed for 885 yards last season and a 3.2 per-rush average. The line wasn't good in front of him, but he didn't seem to be the same runner as he was the year before. He wasn't patient at all. He can change that thinking with a big 2017 season, but right now he has to be the Rams pick in this spot.
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Miami Dolphins
Underrated: S Reshad Jones
His 2016 season was cut short by a shoulder injury, which left a major void in the Miami defense. When he's healthy, he's one of the top safeties in the league. The Dolphins gave him a contract extension this spring, even though he had the shoulder surgically repaired. That tells you what they think of Jones.
Overrated: LB Lawrence Timmons
At one point in his career, he was woefully underrated with the Steelers. But that's not the case anymore. He struggled early last season, but did play better late in the season. Even so, the Dolphins are counting on big things from him as their starting middle linebacker.
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Minnesota Vikings
Underrated: DE Danielle Hunter
This third-year player is expected to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career. He has 18.5 sacks in his first two seasons, including 12.5 last season. He has a chance be one of the league's next great pass rushers.
Overrated: LB Anthony Barr
He looked to be on his way to being a future star heading into the 2016 season. But he didn't come close to playing as expected. One of the better run-and-chase linebackers in the league in 2015, he wasn't the same player. He missed tackles and didn't get to the ball enough.
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New England Patriots
Underrated: RT Marcus Cannon
After a slow start to his career, Cannon was outstanding last season for the Patriots at right tackle. The Patriots gave him a five-year deal after the 2015 season, in which he struggled, and that seemed unwise. But he more than made up for it with his play last season.
Overrated: CB Stephon Gilmore
He has the talent, and at times he's been good, but inconsistency in Buffalo plagued him. He got off to a bad start in 2016, but rallied over the second half of the season to play better. Now in New England on a big deal, he has to be the player he was in the second half of 2016. He's good, but not what some think he is as a corner -- although the tools are there.
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New Orleans Saints
Underrated: RT Zach Strief
They drafted his eventual replacement in the first round this year in Ryan Ramczyk, but Strief is still playing at a high level at the age of 33. He has improved greatly as a pass protector in the latter part of his career.
Overrated: TE Coby Fleener
The Saints gave him a deal that averages $7.2 million per season last spring and all he caught just 50 passes with three touchdowns in an offense where he should produce so much more. As a receiving tight end playing with Drew Brees, those numbers should be up closer to 70-75 catches.
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New York Giants
Underrated: DT Damon Harrison
He is considered the best run stuffer in the league, and he played well for the Giants in his first season with them in 2016. Harrison, nicknamed "Snacks," holds the point well, but he can move for a big man. He doesn't get sacks, which is why he's so underrated.
Overrated: QB Eli Manning
He's won two Super Bowl rings, and he's been really good at times in his career, but he's coming off a 16-interception season and he just never seemed to get it really going last season. He is 36, so maybe age is starting to become a factor. He's overrated now, but in the history of the league he's woefully underrated.
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New York Jets
Underrated: DE Leonard Williams
I know he went to the Pro Bowl last season, but as well as he played he didn't get the attention he deserved. He is a star on the rise and could be considered one of the best 2-3 down players in the league this season. Unlike some of his teammates, he plays hard all the time too.
Overrated: DE Muhammad Wilkerson
He has the tools to be a dominant player week in and week out, but sometimes the effort wanes on tape. He has to be more focused. The talent is there to be a top-10 down player on defense; it's time he shows it.
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Oakland Raiders
Underrated: C Rodney Hudson
The guards get a lot of attention, but Hudson is a big reason why the Raiders are considered one of the better lines in the league. He is an athletic, tough center who fits perfectly in their scheme.
Overrated: RB Marshawn Lynch
There are so many who think he's just going to be the same Beast Mode runner he was a few years ago in Seattle. But he's 31 now, hasn't carried in a game in almost two years, and when he did play in 2015 for Seattle he averaged 3.8 per rush. Least Mode?
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Philadelphia Eagles
Underrated: LB Jordan Hicks
He had five interceptions last season, his second in the league, and has developed into one of the best cover linebackers in the league. He did suffer a hand injury recently, but he is expected to be ready for camp and is an emerging star on the Eagles defense.
Overrated: C Jason Kelce
He's been around for a while, and he's smart, but his play really took a step back last season. At times, he has major problems with power people on his nose, but he also regressed in pass protection last year.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Underrated: LG Ramon Foster
The Steelers line has improved greatly in recent years and Foster is one of the most improved. The team's starting left guard doesn't get the attention of right guard David DeCastro, but he is coming off his best season and isn't far behind his teammate on the guard pecking order.
Overrated: LB Ryan Shazier
There are times when you watch him, and he looks like one of the two or three best linebackers in the game. And broadcasters love giving him a lot of pub. But he's missed a lot of time in his short career because of injury, including eight starts the past two seasons. He's on this list because the greatness is there -- you can see it in many games -- but it hasn't showed up enough yet, despite his reputation.
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San Francisco 49ers
Underrated: CB Rashard Robinson
He is coming off a good rookie season -- although he was inconsistent at times -- but he should be perfect in the new scheme. He is a tall corner at 6-foot-1, which is what new coordinator Robert Saleh wants in his cover people. Look for this kid to take a big step forward this season.
Overrated: WR Pierre Garcon
He's a good, solid player, but he is one of the highest-paid receivers in the league after signing in the spring as a free agent. He is coming off a three-touchdown catch season in Washington last year. He also turns 31 in August. He's good, but he's not what some think.
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Seattle Seahawks
Underrated: DE Frank Clark
The Seattle defense is loaded with stars, and ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril get most of the attention up front. But Clark emerged as another force in his second season in 2016. He can play outside and rush from the inside, much like Bennett, which gives him great value. Clark had 10 sacks last season.
Overrated: RB Eddie Lacy
They think he's going to the answer to their running-game issues, but I don't see it. I know he's in better shape, but there hasn't been a lot of suddenness to his game the past few years. He's more of a plodder in a league where you need speed.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Underrated: CB Brent Grimes
He turned 34 this month, but his age didn't impact his play last season. He had one of his best -- if not best -- seasons in his career. Grimes was one of the top corners in the league last season, but you wouldn't know it by most rankings. He's a true competitor and a heck of an athlete.
Overrated: RB Doug Martin
He's done some good things in his career, but he's also had some off-field issues and he just isn't the back that some think he can be anymore. He had 1,402 yards in 2015, but slipped to 421 in eight games in 2016. His per-carry average: 2.9. He will be suspended for the first three games this season.
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Tennessee Titans
Underrated: WR Rishard Matthews
In his first season with the Titans in 2016, he caught 65 passes for 945 yards and nine touchdowns for a 14.5-yard average per catch. He was signed as a free agent to a three-year, $15-million deal last spring and he far exceeded expectations.
Overrated: NT Sylvester Williams
It's hard to find an overrated player on this team, but I went with Williams because he's supposed to be a good run player and he wasn't that last year for the Broncos. The Titans gave him a three-year deal that averages $5.8 million and he has to be better to be worth that money. He is a former first-round pick, so he does have talent.
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Washington Redskins
Underrated: RT Morgan Moses
On a good line, he has developed into a quality right tackle. He teams with Trent Williams to give them a top tackle tandem. He's been a good run blocker, but he took steps forward in pass protection last year.
Overrated: QB Kirk Cousins
He's a good quarterback, but he's not a top-10 quarterback, which some think he is and can be. I see a good, solid player who can be good enough to win a Super Bowl if everything around him is good. He has to be better for the money he thinks he's worth.
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