Underrated players are everywhere in the NFL. In a league made up of 53 players per roster, some guys get overlooked because of injuries, their team's struggles, or because their reputation hasn't caught up with what they are actually doing on the field.
That is what makes these players so interesting. Some of these guys aren't necessarily household names or the players getting the most attention on television every Sunday. But when you watch the film, look at the numbers, and consider their situations, there is a strong argument that each deserves more recognition.
These underrated players range from a quarterback who has completely changed the perception of his career to a young running back, explosive receiver, and dependable tight end. These four underrated players could be on the verge of finally getting the attention they deserve. And one of them in particular may already be much better than people realize.
Sam Darnold is the player who inspired this list to be created in the first place. There is still a reputation among some in the media that Darnold simply isn't that good , but the numbers and the eye test tell a very different story. After leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl LX victory , Darnold finished 2025 with 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a 99.1 passer rating. He then raised his game in the postseason, throwing for 672 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 102.4 passer rating . Those numbers aren't just good for a quarterback trying to rebuild his career. They are the numbers of one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.
Darnold is exactly the type of player who belongs on a list of the NFL's underrated players because his current level of play doesn't match the reputation he still carries. What stands out most about him is how much more comfortable he looks running an offense. The old version of Darnold often looked like a quarterback trying to survive . He would hold onto the football too long, force throws, and allow mistakes to snowball. That hasn't been the case in Seattle. Darnold is playing with much more confidence, making decisions faster and consistently delivering the ball from the pocket. He has also shown the ability to make difficult throws under pressure without allowing the moment to speed him up.
The postseason only strengthened this point. Darnold completed 61.5 percent of his passes during Seattle's Super Bowl run while throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions. Then came the NFC Championship Game against the Rams , where he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns to send Seattle to the Super Bowl. The defense and running game obviously played important roles in Seattle's championship, but Darnold wasn't along for the ride. When the Seahawks needed their quarterback to make plays, he made them.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Image
The biggest issue surrounding Darnold now is that his reputation hasn't caught up with his play. Some media members still view him through the lens of his struggles with the New York Jets , where he entered the league as the No. 3 overall pick and never lived up to expectations. But that was years ago. Darnold has spent time in Carolina, San Francisco , and Minnesota , learned from different coaching staffs, and finally found the right situation in Seattle. The quarterback on the field today looks different from the 23-year-old player who left New York. His peers seem to recognize that as well, voting him 51 spots higher than the previous year to No. 21 on the NFL Top 100 .
At this point, there is a real argument that Darnold belongs in the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL right now. That doesn't mean the earlier struggles should be erased or that one season automatically makes him an elite quarterback for the next decade. But the combination of his 2024 and 2025 seasons, his playoff performance, and what shows up on film makes it hard to keep treating him like the quarterback of his Jets days.
For years, Darnold was viewed as one of the league's biggest disappointments, but underrated players can change that perception quickly when they finally find the right situation. Sam Darnold's resurgence isn't just a good comeback story anymore. He has become one of the better quarterbacks in football, and the media's perception needs to catch up with what is happening on the field.
Quinshon Judkins was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Browns offense last season. With much of the attention surrounding Cleveland's rookie class went to quarterback Shedeur Sanders . Judkins quietly finished shy of 1,000 total yards and scored seven touchdowns despite playing behind an offensive line that struggled with injuries and constantly changing combinations. His 3.6 yards per carry doesn't tell his full story. Watching the tape, Judkins consistently created yards when there wasn't much there. That's what makes Judkins one of the more intriguing, underrated players entering the 2026 season.
What stands out most about Judkins is that his combination of vision, burst, and contact balance allows him to turn bad plays into positive ones. There were many carries where he would make one cut, find a small crease, and somehow squeeze out four or five yards when the defense had the play dead. That ability to create on his own was one of the biggest reasons Cleveland's offense could function at all last season.
Defenses also knew Judkins was coming. The Browns were struggling at quarterback, and on the offensive line, opposing defensive coordinators could build their game plans around stopping the run. Yet Judkins still consistently found ways to produce. His physical running style and ability to create missed tackles made him much more impressive on film than his raw statistics suggest.
Now, the circumstances could be much better. Cleveland has invested in its offensive line through the draft. New head coach Todd Monken takes over after helping build Baltimore 's dominant rushing attack. If the Browns can get more stability at quarterback and better blocking up front, Judkins should have significantly more opportunities to show what he can really do.
Judkins has already become a popular sleeper candidate in fantasy football , but the potential goes beyond fantasy. He has the traits to become a legitimate featured NFL running back, and another year of development could produce a major leap. If Cleveland takes a step forward offensively, Judkins could quickly move from one of the NFL's underrated players to one of its most recognizable young running backs.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Christian Watson is one of the most underrated players in the NFL because injuries have kept him from getting the recognition his talent deserves. Now, he finally has a clear path to being Green Bay 's No. 1 receiver after the Packers traded Dontayvion Wicks and let Romeo Doubs leave in free agency. Green Bay also showed how much it believes in Watson by giving him a four-year, $92 million extension this offseason.
When healthy, Watson is one of the most explosive receivers in football. At 6-foot-4 with 4.36 speed, he has that rare combination of size and speed that creates problems for defensive backs. He has consistently averaged more than 17.5 yards per reception , and his game has continued to develop beyond being just a deep threat. His route tree has expanded, and he has become a more complete player for the Packers.
The advanced numbers back up what the eye test shows. Last season, Watson averaged 2.51 yards per route run compared to 1.36 for Jordan Addison , while his 122.6 passer rating when targeted was higher than Addison's 74.7. Green Bay's offense also averaged 0.088 EPA per play with Watson on the field compared to 0.024 without him from 2022-25. Simply put, the Packers are a better offense when Watson is playing.
Watson has also already shown that he can deliver when the moment is biggest. Last season, he came through with game-winning touchdowns against both the Chicago Bears and New York Giants . Those moments matter because they show Watson isn't just a player who can rack up big plays during a game—he can make the play that decides it.
The biggest question is: can Watson stay healthy for a full season? If he does, this could be the year he finally gets the attention he deserves. The Packers have cleared the way for him to be their No. 1 receiver, and with his size, speed, efficiency, and proven ability to make big plays in big moments, Christian Watson has a chance to go from an underrated player to one of the NFL's most talked-about receivers.
Nov 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) runs for a gain past New England Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens (51) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Cade Otton is one of the most underrated players in the NFL because he isn't a name that comes up when people talk about tight ends who make life difficult for a defense . You hear about Travis Kelce , George Kittle , and Trey McBride , but Otton rarely gets mentioned in that group. That's because his impact isn't built around big plays. He doesn't need 100-yard games to help the offense. He consistently finds open space, especially against zone coverage, and gives Baker Mayfield a reliable option when he needs somewhere to go with the football.
One of the things to appreciate about Otton's game is how well he finds holes in zone coverage. He has a good feel for where the defense is leaving space and knows when to sit down in that area. When linebackers move one way, and the safeties drop deeper, Otton can find the space underneath. A lot of those plays might only gain six or eight yards, but they keep the offense moving and give Mayfield an easy completion. In 2025, Otton caught 59 of 81 targets for 572 yards, with a 72.8 percent catch rate . He also dropped just two passes on 61 catchable targets.
His work as a blocker gets overlooked. Tampa Bay can keep Otton on the field because he can help in the run game and still be a threat in the passing game. He can line up in-line, block, release into a route, or help protect Mayfield. That versatility is a big reason he played 93.2 percent of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps in 2025, the highest snap share among NFL tight ends .
That's what makes his numbers a little misleading. If you're just looking at yards per route or explosive plays, Otton isn't going to stand out. His average depth of target was only 5.1 yards, and his 572 receiving yards weren't among the league leaders. But that's not really how Tampa Bay uses him. He's there to find the open spot, make the catch, block when they run the football, and give Mayfield a dependable option underneath.
That's why Cade Otton deserves more attention. He's not the best tight end in football, but he's a player defenses have to account for. He finds the open space, he makes the routine plays, and he does his job in the run game. He is not a flashy player, but when you watch the Buccaneers, Otton is constantly doing something that helps the offense. That's what makes him one of the more underrated players in the NFL. That is ultimately what separates the best underrated players from players who are simply overlooked: their impact becomes obvious when you pay attention to the details.
The NFL is full of players who don't get the recognition their play deserves. Darnold, Judkins, Watson, and Otton all have something to prove, but each has already shown enough to make a strong case for more attention.
The question now is whether 2026 is the year these underrated players finally get it. If they continue to produce, it may not be possible to overlook them for much longer.
