List based on their 2009 season, not career.
Underrated:
Matt Schaub – Houston Texans
This guy is leading the NFL in passing yards (2, 074) and touchdowns (16) through week seven, yet most people don’t even know how to pronounce his last name. Schaub’s breakout season has the Texans off to a 4-3 start. It’s hard to stand out with big names such as Brady, Romo, Rivers, Favre and Roethlisberger, but there’s not much more that Schaub can do, because even his quarterback rating is pretty good. In fact, it’s better than all of theirs.
Ricky Williams – Miami Dolphins
Not too long ago this guy was considered, to put it “blunt”ly, a washed-up bum. However, he seems to have turned things around this season. Running alongside Ronnie Brown, the duo have established Miami’s running game as one of the best in the league. Williams is coming off of a three touchdown performace last week against New Orleans, and he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon.
Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers
Jackson is really starting to emerge as one the top wide recievers in the league. He is Philip River’s favorite target, and it’s easy to see why. Through week seven, he has 564 yards and four touchdowns. His 93.5 yards per game are second in the league only behind New England’s Wes Welker.
Honorable Mentions
Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens
Few players have done what he has done so early in their career’s.
Cedric Benson – Cincinnatti Bengals
Cedric Benson, not Adrian Peterson, leads the league in rushing with 720 yards.
Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens
Leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage.
Overrated
Mark Sanchez – New York Jets
Sanchez seems like will be a decent NFL quarterback, but there is too much hype for the moment. He has a 61.5 quarterback rating and ten interceptions, including five against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago. Sanchez is most successful when he lets the Jets run the ball. He shows signs of greatness every once in awhile, but he cannot expect to have the same rookie success as Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan.
Willie Parker – Pittsburgh Steelers
His name is big because he is on a Super Bowl team, but his numbers are average at best. Injuries play a large role in this, but for some reason he is still ranked high on every fantasy football league.
Terrell Owens – Buffallo Bills
In seven games played this season, Owens has 18 receptions, only one of those being a touchdown. This is definitely not the numbers the Bills were expecting when they acquired him in the offseason. His history makes fans think that he will heat up any week now, but they’ve been saying that every week. But he will continue to be popular, just like his television show and Twitter updates.
Honorable Mentions
Roy Williams -Dallas Cowboys
He just hasn’t been the same since leaving the Lions.
Jake Delhomme – Carolina Panthers
Leads the league in interceptions. 56.5 quarterback rating.
Steve Slaton – Houston Texans
People just don’t want to believe that he’s in a sophomore slump. He already has five fumbles.
