Who Are the Most Underrated Offensive Players in the NFL?
There are so many great players in the NFL that some individuals get overshadowed. Big names like Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley headline the list of the best offensive players in the game, but what about the unsung heroes? What about the guys who do their job consistently and do not get nearly enough credit for it? Here are the most underrated players on the offensive side of the football throughout the NFL.
Darnell Mooney, WR Falcons
Darnell Mooney has some of the flashiest receiver moves across the NFL. No, not after the catch jukes or hurdles, but his extensive route tree and a plethora of tricks up his sleeve help him create separation at an unbelievable rate. He ranked 10th in yards per reception, per PFF. This speaks to his uncanny ability to beat defenders off the line and win almost any press coverage encounter. He is one of the premier deep threats in the NFL and should be getting more attention because of his complete game. He only weighs 173 pounds, but his fluidity makes it seem like he is gliding all over the field.
Zach Tom, RT Packers
The NFL is in an offensive tackle-filled era, and some of the top dogs are good. Lane Johnson and Penei Sewell headline the right tackles in the league today, but Zach Tom has been just as good, yet is not getting the same attention. Tom is arguably the best run-blocker in the NFL, and his ability to do so just jumps off the screen. He is utilized on pull-blocking plays, something rare for a tackle, but the Packers understand how valuable and efficient he is, so they either run right or just straight behind him. He was PFF’s fourth-highest-graded offensive tackle in the league last year and also boasted the third-best run-blocking grade among all eligible tackles.
Marvin Mims Jr., WR Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. ranked first in yards after catch per reception, per PFF. This speaks to his ability to make guys miss after the catch, which stems from his elite return skills. He was a Pro Bowl returner a couple of years ago, but Denver realized how valuable he is with the ball in his hands, so they moved him to a full-time wide receiver role. He is, in fact, so dynamic that the Broncos even lined him up in the backfield at times. Mims Jr. is also one of the more flexible offensive players in the league, as Denver uses him in the slot as well as on the perimeter.
Chase Brown, RB Bengals
Chase Brown is a workhorse of a running back. He played 80% of snaps or higher from weeks nine through 17. The league has shifted to almost always having a change-of-pace back on the roster; the Bengals did not do that when the five-foot-nine master of deception took over the backfield after week eight. Brown is elusive, and he evades tacklers at an extremely high level. Not to mention, he is not scared to lower his shoulder and run through someone. He plays eerily similar to guys like Bucky Irving and even Ashton Jeanty. Not because they all have the same traits and skills, but because their pad level is so unbelievably low. Brown is one of the hardest runners to track in pursuit, and he proved to be a problem for defenders as he had just under 1,000 yards in 2024. With the backfield all to himself this upcoming season, it is almost guaranteed he will hit that 1,000-yard mark barring injury.
Justin Fields, QB Jets
Justin Fields won four games with Pittsburgh last season, yet when Russell Wilson was ready, Fields was sent to the bench and stayed there for the whole year. The Jets swooped in and signed the ex-first-rounder to a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency, and they hope he can shine in New York the way he did in Pittsburgh. Yes, it was only six games, but Fields continued to flash his talent, and it intrigued the Jets. As a runner, the ex-Buckeye is uber-dangerous. He can beat defenses on scrambles and QB-designed runs. He also has a severely underrated deep ball, something that will make Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson very happy.
Jordan Addison, WR Vikings
Ranking top-20 in average depth per target, which means the average yards thrown when he is targeted, Jordan Addison has cemented himself as one of the best deep threats in today’s NFL. Why he is underrated does not have anything to do with stats or accolades, but instead, it is the fact that the ex-Pittsburgh standout executes his job to perfection. Being on the same team as Justin Jefferson, Addison’s goal, or job, is to take some of the attention off of Jefferson, and he does it beautifully. Addison creates a ton of space for his partner-in-crime, oftentimes over the middle where Jefferson does his work. Another underrated portion of Addison’s game is how effective he is working out of the slot. J.J. McCarthy might be getting thrown into the deep end, but he is getting thrown into a pool with a ton of talent.
James Conner, RB Cardinals
Many people see James Conner as a short-yardage, power-type running back, but the truth is that he is so, so much more. Conner ranked fourth in the NFL in runs of over 10 yards. His explosiveness has not taken a dip as he enters his thirties, instead, it may be getting better. This Cardinals offense runs through the ex-Pitt Panther, and even though they have Trey Benson on the roster, Connor still saw more than 60% of the touches out of the backfield. He has been underrated for some time now and continues to be that way. Without James Conner, this Cardinals’ air attack would not be nearly as effective.
