Sometimes an NFL player has been producing for a long time and doesn't get his proper due. So when he comes out hot through the first two weeks -- or simply does what he's been doing all this time -- people inside the league notice.
Derek Carr might be the most obvious candidate after a scorching hot start to the 2021 campaign, averaging north of 400 passing yards in two wins. But he isn't the only one who perhaps needs a closer look. We asked execs and coaches around the NFL, who stands out as an underappreciated talent at 10 different positions. Which players deserve more attention, respect and consideration among the game's best? Many of these players could be pushing for top-10 status at their positions in due time.
Hyping up players this early is always dangerous because maintaining excellence over a 17-game season is an arduous task. Game plans tighten, coaches smarten up and playmaking fizzles. But nonetheless, execs and coaches acknowledge these players are among the most underappreciated in the NFL. Let's get started in Las Vegas with Carr and why he's emerging this season.
Jump to a position:
QB | WR | RB | TE | OL
DE | DT | LB | CB | S
Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
When asking people around the league about quarterbacks this summer, the number of high-level execs who considered Derek Carr a top-10 quarterback was eye-opening. Carr didn't make the cut on our top 10 list from polling 50-plus execs, coaches, scouts and players, but if votes were weighted for status, he would have been awfully close. He's trying to prove some of those people right this year, posting 817 yards and four touchdowns over back-to-back wins to begin the season.
"He's smart, tough, mobile, knows where to go with it, can make all the throws," an NFC exec said. "He's been in several systems and has been productive in all of them."
The last three years, Carr has been good, if not spectacular. He hovers around 250 passing yards per game and 23 touchdowns per season while keeping interceptions under 10 for the year, and he completes two-thirds of his passing attempts. That's a very Carr-like stat line, enough to acknowledge he's pretty good, but not much more than solid.
Evaluators noticed that Carr let it loose more often in 2020, his third year in coach Jon Gruden's system. A year later, Carr is throwing perfectly placed moon balls into the sky as Raiders receivers outran two good defenses -- the Ravens and Steelers -- for big gains. After ranking 30th in air yards per attempt (6.6) in 2019, he improved to 14th last year (8.1) and seventh this year (9.2). As a result, he joined Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick as the only quarterbacks to open the season with multiple games of 380-plus yards and multiple touchdowns.
Carr has faced a blitz on 25 dropbacks, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL through two games. And he's capitalizing on aggressive defenses with big yardage.
"The only thing he really can't do is drive the ball downfield like the greats," said an NFL offensive coach. "But he makes up for it with anticipation and touch and confidence."
Even the arm strength debate is something a prominent AFC scout argues against, saying Carr might not throw bullets, but he throws a very catchable football that receivers love.
"He gets lumped in with the [Ryan] Tannehills and the [Kirk] Cousins and the Matt Ryans, but if I'm in a shootout, I'm picking him," the scout said. "He seems to thrive off that kind of environment."
Sure, the Raiders have one winning season since Carr took over in 2014. But that's hardly all on him. In fact, the Raiders' 47 wins through Carr's first seven full seasons is a stark improvement from the franchise's 38 over the previous seven years.
Las Vegas believes its defense has improved enough to properly support Carr and the offense. (The Raiders currently rank 11th in defensive efficiency after finishing 29th in 2020 and 32nd in 2019.) And if it all comes together this year, the timing will be perfect for Carr, a 2023 free agent. The Raiders have internally discussed the possibility of extending Carr at some point, like any good team would from a planning standpoint. Though he hasn't clamored for an extension, Carr probably would want a new deal sooner rather than later; he has zero guaranteed money in 2022.
"Is he the guy to take you over the hump? There are so many things that go into that," the NFC exec said. "There are only 3-5 guys you can say that about, and they are in ideal situations -- the organization and coaches and players around them make that an easy answer.
"Now I'll say this: There have been Super Bowls won by guys not nearly as talented as him."
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
The NFL is so well-stocked with receivers that many could be classified as underrated. But Lockett can only be overlooked for so long. His quick start (278 yards and three touchdowns) is hardly a surprise, with a third straight 1,000-yard season well underway.
Seattle loves the nuances of his game, from making the right decisions when the unexpected happens mid-play to studying a cornerback's posture at the snap for clues on coverage. He's elite on quarterback scramble plays. His body control is top-shelf, especially on throws to the sideline or the back of the end zone. He's a motion-and-shift expert, running 342 routes off those looks since 2017, second in the NFL. He's also known in Seattle's locker room as one of the most mentally tough players on the roster.
"He's been pretty unbelievable there from Day 1," an NFL offensive coach said. "People are slowly coming around on him, but he's elite. DK [Metcalf] is the upside guy there, but you could argue [Lockett] is the No. 1. It wasn't long ago [Seattle] thought he might be a three, but he's outplayed that in a big way."
Since 2017, the Russell Wilson-Lockett tandem ranks second among QB-WR duos with 17 touchdowns on throws at least 20 yards downfield. They've connected on two 60-plus-yard scores already this season.
Several receivers are considered underappreciated around the NFL -- the Rams' Cooper Kupp and Washington's Terry McLaurin come to mind -- but many of them make compelling cases as No. 1 receivers. Lockett doesn't usually get that benefit of the doubt in public discourse.
Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Davis is approaching elite status in league circles after high-level production over the past 18 games, registering 22 pass deflections and five interceptions as the Bucs' top man-coverage corner. This year, Davis tops all corners in pass-coverage snaps (101) but has held up with a 76.7 Pro Football Focus rating. Sure, he is an imperfect corner, but his instincts are considered among the game's best.
"It's a bit of feast-or-famine with him, but you have to be aware of him, because he has ability to be a top guy," an NFC exec said. "He rolls the dice and will give up a huge play at times, but he has the ability to turn the game around, too. If he can get straightened out and eliminate those big plays, he can be elite."
Davis has been targeted 17 times this year and has allowed 10 receptions on 111 yards, a solid clip considering the Cowboys' Dak Prescott threw for 403 yards on the Bucs in the season opener while taking advantage of Sean Murphy-Bunting's injury. Davis is the guy Dallas wanted to avoid.
The Buccaneers have a decision to make on Davis, a 2022 free agent. They can pay him handsomely now or risk paying more in 4-6 months as he approaches the open market.
Jonathan Allen, DT, Washington Football Team
Allen is already on the board with three sacks after terrorizing the New York Giants' front on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Fresh off a $72 million contract extension, he isn't flashy, but he's known in league circles as one of the game's most complete defensive linemen, even if he isn't getting the public attention.
"He probably doesn't have the raw power to wreck a whole game plan like some other guys up front, but he can do everything," said an NFC exec. "He can rush the passer, anchor the run. Great technique, always in the right spot, team leader. He's got all of that."
And don't let last year's two-sack season fool you. Allen was highly productive rushing the passer a year ago. His 13.3% pass rush win rate as an interior lineman in 2020 ranked seventh among tackles.
Brian Burns, DE, Carolina Panthers
Washington's Chase Young and San Francisco's Nick Bosa are the names that usually pop when discussing top young edge rushers. And for good reason. But Burns hasn't been in that discussion as often. He should be.
After nine sacks and 21 quarterback hits last year, the Panthers prioritized helping Burns this offseason, adding several free-agent pieces up front -- DaQuan Jones, Morgan Fox and Haason Reddick -- to loosen double teams on him. Burns capitalized with three sacks in the first three games for the Panthers' much-improved defense.
"He's not a household name yet, but he's got all the tools," an AFC scout said. "Supreme talent with burst and bend."
In 2020, Burns ranked fourth among edge rushers in pass rush win rate at 24.9%, and he only seems to be building on that momentum. A big season for Carolina will only heighten his profile.
Matt Milano, ILB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills were smart to lock up Milano to a four-year, $44 million deal back in March. The linebacker market is only growing, and Milano will look like a steal by year's end.
Milano has done a little bit of everything for Buffalo, posting one sack, four tackles for loss and one pass deflection through the first two weeks. "He's a three-down player -- can run, cover and is smart," said an NFL scouting director.
Former first-round pick Tremaine Edmunds is undoubtedly a top-end NFL linebacker, and defensive tackle Ed Oliver -- a top-10 pick in 2019 -- is coming on in Year 3. But Milano embodies Buffalo's largely overachieving defense. Among its best players are a fifth-round pick (Milano), a seventh-round pick (safety Jordan Poyer) and a fourth-round slot corner out of Weber State (Taron Johnson).
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Schultz will likely be the sneaky-good tight end who gets paid in 2022 free agency. He is not a big name but does a little bit of everything for Dallas, which already has big money tied to tight end Blake Jarwin. While Jarwin has the running ability to stretch defenses vertically, Schultz offers a complete game.
"He got better than just about anybody on that team last year," an NFC exec said. "He's an emerging player at a position that doesn't have many of them."
For the year, Schultz has eight receptions -- on eight targets -- for 63 yards while serving as a key inline blocker for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
Laken Tomlinson, G, San Francisco 49ers
No longer is Tomlinson known as the first-round pick who didn't work out in Detroit. He's a key cog to one of the game's best running attacks. Tomlinson is thriving in his fifth season as a guard in San Francisco, posting an 81.0 Pro Football Focus grade through two games. The 49ers viewed Tomlinson as their most consistent lineman last year and someone they'd like to re-sign. (Tomlinson is a 2022 free agent.)
"I know they love him over there. That zone blocking scheme is perfect for him, where he can use his athleticism in space," an NFC scout said.
Darnell Savage, S, Green Bay Packers
The Packers have two safeties who belong on this list. Adrian Amos is considered one of the game's more disciplined safeties and a sure tackler. But Savage's ability to wreck passing lanes has him poised for a big Year 3.
"Flying downhill from the deep safety spot to make the tackle in the open field, he might be the best in the game at that," an NFL veteran defensive coach said. "Ridiculous closing speed."
His numbers in 2020 don't illustrate that. Savage has two tackles and no splash plays, but it's early. Those plays will come, just like last year when Savage posted four interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
First-round picks are supposed to be good, but Savage doesn't crack the top 10 discussion enough despite an enticing skill set.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns
Opposing teams are still stewing that Hunt is a No. 2 back for Cleveland's offense. Hunt was the lead back for the Kansas City Chiefs before being released following an incident in which he shoved and kicked a woman in 2018.
"He's a top-10 back right now, regardless of team," an NFC exec said. "He can do it all. Incredible strength and balance and burst."
Nick Chubb deserves plenty of credit for Cleveland's running-game resurgence the last few years. But Hunt played a major role in Cleveland's 30-yard jump in rushing yards per game year-over, from 118.8 in 2019 (ranking 12th) to 148.4 (third). Since the beginning of the 2020 season, Hunt's 1,259 scrimmage yards rank 12th among running backs.
And to think he's under contract at cap hits of $4.8 and $6.2 million in 2022 and 2023.
Honorable mentions: Rams WR Cooper Kupp, Washington WR Terry McLaurin, Rams CB Darious Williams, Steelers CB Cameron Sutton, Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, Browns OT Jack Conklin, Bills OT Dion Dawkins, Steelers CB Joe Haden, Washington ILB Cole Holcomb and Giants WR Sterling Shepard