Lunchbreak: Pair of Vikings Among ESPN's 11 'Most Underrated' Players

[Viktor]

It's easy to spot big names and superstars across the NFL, but which players fly under the radar without receiving the recognition they deserve?


ESPN's Jeremy Fowler put together a list of the 11 "most underrated" players for 2020, a group he assembled based on conversations with NFL execs, coaches, players and scouts for a previous article that ranked the top 10 players at each position. According to Fowler, those discussions "produced several players who might not be top-tier yet but are poised to be there soon." He wrote:


For every $100 million player, there's a low-key riser on a rookie deal who doesn't resonate with the casual fan but is a legitimate weapon in the eyes of the league's coaches and decision-makers as well as their peers.


Two Vikings offensive linemen made the list of most underrated: center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Brian O'Neill.


Bradbury was combined with Saints center Erik McCoy. Taken No. 18 and No. 48, respectively, in the 2019 NFL Draft, the pair of centers have both shown tremendous upside.


With stars such as Jason Kelce, Rodney Hudson and Maurkice Pouncey aging, there aren't dominant centers who rise to the top of every list.


These two could change that in a big way in 2020, though McCoy might switch to guard to make room for draft pick Cesar Ruiz.


"They are building blocks," one AFC exec told Fowler. "McCoy is stronger; Bradbury is probably more of a nimble athlete overall. They can do different things, but both will be highly effective. I expect them to be good for a long time."


McCoy had the splashier rookie season, with several bruising blocks showing he can anchor like a rugged guard. Bradbury started slowly in Minnesota, but the team is very high on him, and several execs expect improvement in Year 2.


As for O'Neill, Fowler said "his traits have the 6-foot-7, 297-pounder trending upward."


Fowler quoted an NFC scout who said O'Neill his improved his technique since being drafted in the second round in 2018.


"He's really athletic, especially for a RT," the scout said of O'Neill. "Very good fit for a zone-blocking scheme, stronger and tougher now than people expected when he came out. Has left tackle attributes, but needs to be more consistent."


Who else joined O'Neill and Bradbury as the most underrated? Fowler highlighted T Dion Dawkins (Bills), WR Cooper Kupp (Rams), TE Jonnu Smith (Titans), DE Carl Lawson (Bengals), CB Jaire Alexander (Packers), C Brandon Linder (Jaguars), T David Onyemata (Saints) and LB Devin Bush (Steelers).