Most underappreciated player on each AFC team

Broad receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa rightfully earn many of the kudos for Miami’s high-powered offense, however they don’t seem to be the one Dolphins having stellar seasons on that aspect of the ball. A operating again who averages 5.4 yards per carry for his career additionally makes Miami go offensively. Here is probably the most underappreciated participant on every AFC crew as decided by Yardbarker NFL writers:

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Defensive deal with Ed Oliver: Some thought of the four-year, $68 million extension Oliver signed final offseason an overpay, however the 2019 first-rounder — who has already matched his career high in sacks (five) — is outperforming the deal. Regardless of enjoying simply 9 video games, Oliver leads all defensive tackles in pressures (41) and strain fee (16.8%, min. 150 move rushes), in response to Next Gen Stats.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Working again Raheem Mostert: Miami’s second-ranked passing assault has seemingly overshadowed its dominant operating sport, and whereas rookie De’Von Achane is likely to be its most explosive tailback, Mostert has been persistently productive. Along with being tied with Christian McCaffrey for the NFL lead in whole touchdowns (13), Mostert ranks first in yards per carry (5.6) and ninth in dashing yards (605).

NEW YORK JETS | Linebacker C.J. Mosley: Whereas New York’s elite cornerback duo and spectacular group of pass-rushers are the principle attracts on the star-studded protection, Mosley can also be instrumental within the unit’s sixth-place rating by way of factors and passing yards allowed. The five-time Professional Bowler is placing collectively one other All-Professional-caliber season, rating fifth within the NFL in tackles (96), and he’s Professional Soccer Focus’ highest-rated linebacker (90.1).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Linebacker Jahlani Tavai: The versatile linebacker has damaged out for the Patriots in his age-27 season and is on his method to setting profession highs in nearly each main class. Tavai is third on the crew in tackles (61) and move breakups (4). Though he has been criticized for his protection expertise, Tavai has carried out higher than some might anticipate in that division contemplating he has solely given up 76 yards in 186 protection snaps towards wideouts. — Colum Dell

AFC West 

DENVER BRONCOS | Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian: He entered the season as an unheralded backup however rapidly turned a key contributor. By 9 video games, he’s third on the crew in tackles for loss (five), and Professional Soccer Focus provides him an 85.9 grade, third amongst CBs.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Defensive finish George Karlaftis: In his second season, Karlafitis is establishing himself as a formidable pass-rusher. In 9 video games, the previous Purdue Boilermaker leads the crew in sacks (six) and pressures (23). He has helped the protection, which is tied for third in sacks (31) and second in factors allowed (15.9), vault to a brand new degree.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Linebacker Robert Spillane: Spillane is the crew’s second-best defensive participant behind star DE Maxx Crosby. By 10 video games, he leads the crew in tackles (81) and interceptions (three). The 27-year-old earned AFC Defensive Participant of the Week following a Week 10 win over the Jets.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu: The L.A. protection has underwhelmed, however the emergence of the rookie linebacker is a vibrant spot. The second-round pick of Southern Cal is fourth on the crew in sacks (4) and second in tackles for loss (seven). As of Thursday, oddschecker places him within the prime 10 in Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Defensive deal with Justin Madubuike: The protection is enjoying lights-out midway by means of the season, and an enormous purpose why is Madubuike, who’s having a profession yr (team-leading 8.5 sacks). There are a lot larger names on the protection (Roquan Smith, Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen), however the fourth-year defensive deal with is an enormous game-wrecker, too.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Guard Joel Bitonio: Offensive linemen occasionally get the credit score they deserve, however Bitonio is a dominant individuals mover within the trenches. The Tenth-year veteran retains his quarterback clear, permitting zero sacks on 605 snaps, per Pro Football Focus, and is an enormous purpose the Browns are averaging the second-most rushing yards per game (147.9) within the league.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Broad receiver Tyler Boyd: Boyd had a season-high eight catches for 117 yards in Week 10, however his drop of a possible TD move late within the loss to Houston is what followers talked about. That is a disgrace contemplating the veteran extensive receiver has been constant all through his eight-year profession, posting at the least 762 yards receiving and 4 TD catches from 2018-22. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins get many of the credit score at wideout, however do not sleep on Boyd.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Linebacker Alex Highsmith: Highsmith isn’t having a repeat efficiency of his 2022 season (14.5 sacks), however he’s nonetheless wreaking havoc reverse LB T.J. Watt. The fourth-year linebacker has the second-most sacks (4.5) on the Steelers, two compelled fumbles and a pick-six. What goes unnoticed, nevertheless, are his pressures. He generated 11 in Week 9 and is among the many league leaders, per Next Gen Stats. — Aaron Becker

AFC South 

HOUSTON TEXANS | Defensive finish Jonathan Greenard: The protection remains to be a piece in progress, however it could be in far worse form if it didn’t have Greenard, who quietly ranks in the top 12 of the NFL in sacks with seven. The 26-year-old edge-rusher is tied with rookie Will Anderson for the crew lead in pressures (31), and he ranks second to Anderson in hurries (16) and QB hits (seven). Although he didn’t contribute a lot in 2022 whereas lacking half of the season, he had eight sacks in 2021, and he’s on tempo for his first season with double-digit sacks.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Cornerback Kenny Moore II: When Isaiah Rodgers was suspended for the season for violating the NFL’s playing coverage and subsequently launched, many media pundits have been throwing out commerce eventualities of gamers Indy ought to goal to switch him. It should have slipped their minds simply how dependable and constant Moore has been in his seven years with the Colts. He’s tied for the crew lead with three interceptions — two of which have been returned for touchdowns.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Broad receiver Christian Kirk: He was a controversial signing final offseason (due to his $18 million-per-year wage), however a season-and-a-half in to the deal, he’s incomes each penny. Kirk is persistently focused seven to eight instances per sport, and this season, he leads the team in targets (71), receiving yards (624) and TD catches (three).

TENNESSEE TITANS | Defensive finish Denico Autry: Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry get the eye in the case of Titans pass-rushers, however Autry is simply nearly as good, if not higher than each of them since becoming a member of the crew throughout the 2021 offseason. Since 2021, Autry has 142 pressures, 90 hurries, 25 QB hits and 23 sacks. This season, Autry leads the Titans in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (six). — Michael Gallagher