Between the time of NFL free agency and the NFL pre-season, there is an unfortunate lull of football. Crazed NFL fans, like myself, sit in our basements on Sundays flipping through the channels while looking at YouTube videos trying to kill the days. Yes, we could be doing something more productive like cutting the lawn, but hey, it isn’t called football Sunday for nothing. Us fans, we may not know when the next big family event is, but I can guarantee you this, we’ve been counting down the days until opening kick-off (about 59 days).
In order to fulfill this void of football, analysts and players create rankings and predictions for the previous and upcoming seasons to give us something to talk about, including the annual “NFL’s Top 100 Players”, which is a list created and voted on by current players. Last week, Last Word on Sports reviewed this list, rating the top overrated players.
Here are the players who’ve been slept on in the creation of these rankings:
Underrated Players On The NFL’s Top 100 List
5. Chris Ivory
NFL Rank: 78
LWOS Rank: 68
For as long as I can remember, Ivory has been on my all-time sleeper list. Over his six-year professional career he was dubbed as a back-up, sometimes listed as fourth string for the New Orleans Saints, until he burst on the scene last year with the New York Jets. Over the years, Ivory, even as a bench player, was able to show off his uncharted talent. According to NFL.com, he managed to break a rush longer than 35 yards in each of his six years, including a 71-yard score in 2014.
Over the last three seasons, Ivory had to prove himself in New York, and was never given a real opportunity to succeed until last year. In 2013 and 2014, he got less than 200 carries in an offense that was led by inefficient quarterbacks in turnover-prone Geno Smith and an aging Mike Vick.
In 2015, Ivory was given the keys to the starting gig and should’ve been handed team’s MVP. He rushed for 1,070 yards (fifth highest yards for running backs in 2015) and also had an uncharacteristic 30 catches for another 217 yards and a receiving touchdown. It wasn’t just his touchdowns that helped his team, but his hard-nosed, downhill running style that was coupled by his big play ability.
Ivory’s consistency shortened games for the Jets’ defense whiled he pounded opposing defenses, opening up the passing game for the magical Ryan Fitzpatrick–Brandon Marshall connection. Ivory’s style combined with his ability to break one on any carry makes him a rarity in the NFL and makes the Jets a fool for losing him in free agency.
4. Whitney Mercilus
NFL Rank: NR
LWOS Rank: 90
The award for biggest snub in this year’s “NFL Top 100 Players” goes to Houston Texans’ outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus.
Quietly, Mercilus was a quarterback’s nightmare, as he led all linebackers with 12 sacks last season. Yes, you read that right, he had more sacks than Von Miller, Justin Houston, and DeMarcus Ware, all of whom the NFL included on this list.
After a slow start to the 2015 season for the Houston defense, the Texans rebounded and finished strong. They ranked third in total yards allowed per game (310.2 YPG), while tying for seventh in points allowed (313). Of course their success stems from having one of the best defensive lineman of all time in J.J. Watt, but Mercilus consistently chased down quarterbacks, filled gaps, cleaned up plays, while having 52 combined tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery.
3. Kam Chancellor
NFL Rank: 32
LWOS Rank: 22
Hate him or love him for it, but I can’t hate on a guy who was trying to get more money to help his family. Chancellor sat out the first two games of the season due to contract disputes, leaving a gaping hole in the once “No Fly Zone” defense in Seattle. The result: an 0-2 record.
Despite unsuccessful negotiations, Chancellor returned, and helped fortify and lead his defense. Arguably, one of the best strong safeties in the game, he helped pump life back into his team. Especially in Week 4, he had one of the best plays of the season after punching the ball out of Calvin Johnson’s hand, on what would’ve be a go-ahead touchdown and loss into a touchback and victory.
Chancellor is a ball hawk, can tackle, and has the ability matchup on any offensive player, making him a lethal defender and a premier defensive back.
2. Le’Veon Bell
NFL Rank: 41
LWOS Rank: 10
Okay, so the criteria to the “NFL Top 100 Players” list is a little unclear. Is it the best performances of 2015 or the best overall players? Either way, it’s blasphemous to have Bell ranked below either Todd Gurley (22) and/or Doug Martin (33).
Yes, Bell was suspended to start the season and then ultimately blew out his knee and was sidelined for the rest of the year. In that sense, I’ll be a little understanding (that’s why he sits at two). Gurley did have a sensational rookie campaign, and Martin did a great job revitalizing his career. But, come on. Bell is a genetic freak with the ability to pound the rock, catch out of the back field, and has the capability to literally fly over defenders. In just six games that he played last year, he averaged just under 100 YPG (92.7 YPG), while scampering eight times for 20-plus-yard gains.
When healthy, like in 2014, he can devastate a defense in so many ways, by rushing the ball for nearly 1,400 yards and catching 83 passes. Yup, 83 catches, that was more catches than Calvin Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Sounds top 10 to me.
1.Reshad Jones
NFL Rank: 64
LWOS Rank: 30
Reshad who? Yup, that is right. Safety Reshad Jones of the Miami Dolphins.
Jones flat out balled in 2015, filling out the stat sheet in every which way. He collected 135 combined tackles (first overall amongst defensive backs), had two sacks, 15 pass deflections, five interceptions, and tied the league with two defensive touchdowns.
He is a leader on and off the field, being nominated as the co-MVP for the Dolphins, while he consistently made big plays, including impressive pick 6’s like this.
When he wasn’t jumping routes or swatting passes, he was making tackles in the backfield and in the open field. Jones was the only non-linebacker in the top seven in tackles, ranking fourth overall.
He is not a household name and was snubbed in the 2015 Pro-Bowl, but Jones deserves the credit as an elite defender.
