2022 NFL season: Most overrated player on all 32 NFL teams

 Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB

There is no doubt that Kyler Murray is a talented quarterback, and one of the young, dynamic stars in the NFL today. That is not the question. The only question is whether or not he was worth the amount of money the Arizona Cardinals paid him to their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Murray has never led his team to a ten-win season, and even last year, when they made the playoffs, he looked terrible in his debut. He is going to win a lot of games for the Cardinals, and likely make a lot of Pro Bowls, but making him the second-highest paid player in the NFL is a stretch.

Atlanta Falcons, Lorenzo Carter, LB

After starting his career with the New York Giants, Lorenzo Carter is coming back home, as he signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. A star at the University of Georgia, Carter is going to be expected to help in the rebuild in Atlanta, a team that has struggled since making it to the Super Bowl a few years back.

While Carter has always had the physical gifts to get the job done, he has not been quite the player the Giants were expecting coming out of college. That could all change with a big season in Atlanta, but based on the early returns, the team could be asking for too much from him.

Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Fuller, CB

It has been quite some time since Kyle Fuller was one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, something the Baltimore Ravens are hoping for in 2022. The Ravens already have a tremendous talent at the position in Marlon Humphrey, and with the addition of Fuller, the team could have solidified their secondary.

The issue with Fuller is that he took a step back last year, losing his starting job to rookie Patrick Surtain, and looking lost at times. Maybe he finds his old form in Charm City, but he has only one interception across the last two seasons.

Buffalo Bills: OJ Howard, TE

Coming out of Alabama, many felt that OJ Howard would be one of those game-breaking tight ends that dominate the NFL landscape in recent years. The tight end position has become a difference-maker for NFL teams, and Howard had the size, speed, and hands to be a real threat for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, that never materialized, and in 2022, he is looking for a fresh start with the Buffalo Bills, one of the best teams in the AFC. Howard has had one good season in the NFL, and only four touchdowns the last three seasons combined, so the expectation should be for him to be the TE2 behind Dawson Knox and not much more.

Carolina Panthers: Robby Anderson, WR

When word started to come down that Baker Mayfield may be a target for the Carolina Panthers, wide receiver Robby Anderson was not a big fan. Now that Mayfield is on the Panthers, he has changed his tune a bit, but it will be interesting to see how this all plays out on the field in 2022.

Anderson was once a bright star for the New York Jets and had a great first season in Carolina back in 2022. However, he has been passed on the depth chart by DJ Moore and with Terrace Marshall Jr. emerging as a possible star, he could end up being the odd man out.

Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet, TE

The Chicago Bears will be a team that struggles in a big way this offseason, as they did not do enough to bolster their roster this offseason. Last year, rookie quarterback Justin Fields had his ups and downs, but it is clear that he has what it takes to be a very good starter at the NFL level.

Looking at his weapons, the Bears are going to need to get a lot out of the tight end group, and right now, Cole Kmet is the No. 1 option. He was a second-round pick in 2020, and played well last season, but had zero touchdowns, which cannot happen again in 2022.

Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Hubbard, DE

The Cincinnati Bengals were the story of the 2021 NFL season, as they made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams. To get to that point, the team needed contributions up and down their roster, and they certainly got some great play from Sam Hubbard.

The truth is, Hubbard could end up being a premier edge rusher in the AFC, and if he takes the next step forward, that is what he will become. However, his production was above what he normally brings to the table, so before we anoint him, let us see him do it on a more consistent basis.

Cleveland Browns: Amari Cooper, WR

During his time with the Raiders, Amari Cooper established himself as one of the best young wide receivers in the game. While he had no problem racking up big numbers, he also had a reputation for dropping big passes, something that has plagued him his entire NFL career.

Now, in his third stop of this NFL career, Cooper is going to be expected to go to Cleveland and be their No. 1 wideout, especially with Jarvis Landry gone. He is going to get his numbers, but as far as premier wideouts in the NFL, Cooper falls just short.

Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott, RB

For three of his first four seasons in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was the gold standard, racking up over 1,300 yards three times. He could have been in for the biggest season of his career in Year 2, but an injury forced him to miss nearly half the season.

Since then, Elliott has been a solid running back, but when you look at the financial investment the Cowboys made in him, he has underperformed. Dallas will need the Elliott from early in his career if they hope to win the NFC East in 2022.

Denver Broncos: Courtland Sutton, WR

The Denver Broncos made one of the bigger splashes in the NFL this offseason, trading for Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson is a major upgrade over every Broncos quarterback to take the field since Peyton Manning, and that should have a serious impact on the production of their wide receivers.

Looking at the position group, the Broncos have solid young wideouts, including Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick. Sutton is a guy who has long been considered the No. 1 wideout of the group, but Jeudy should emerge in that role in Year 3, especially with Wilson under center.

Detroit Lions: D’Andre Swift, RB

It has been quite some time since the Detroit Lions had much to talk about on the offensive side of the ball, but that could change in 2022. Jared Goff returns for another season at quarterback, and the team seems high on him, while D’Andre Swift returns as the feature back.

Swift has been a solid player since being selected in the second round a few years back, possessing the ability to get the job done on the ground, and through the air. However, to become the kind of RB1 this team needs to make an impact in the NFC North, he has to be much better, including staying healthy enough to play a full season.

Green Bay Packers: Robert Tonyan, TE

One of the big stories of the 2022 offseason was Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and whether or not he would be back for another go-around this season. Rodgers did return, but his No. 1 option in the passing game did not, as Davante Adams signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders.

With Adams gone, Rodgers will have to lean on a young wide receiver group, as well as Robert Tonyan at tight end. Tonyan is a solid tight end but has yet to take the big step forward, something that will be required of him this upcoming season.

Houston Texans: Laremy Tunsil, OT

The Houston Texans will go into next season without the Deshaun Watson drama gone, as he was traded to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Davis Mills will step in for the second season as the team’s starting quarterback, and there was a lot to like about him during his rookie season.

If the Texans are to start making their move out of the cellar of the AFC South, they are going to have to get great play from their stars. Laremy Tunsil has Pro Bowl potential, but is coming off an injury this offseason, and will need to be an anchor on this offensive line for any kind of team success.

Indianapolis Colts: Stephon Gilmore, CB

There was a time when Stephon Gilmore was the gold standard in terms of the cornerback position, as he even took down an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. However, he has not been the same kind of impact player since then, although he does get a fresh start in Indianapolis this season.

The Colts are a playoff-ready team, and now that Carson Wentz is gone, they have to be considered at least a favorite to earn a Wild Card spot. They will be relying heavily on Gilmore in their secondary, and hopefully, for them, they will get the player who was a star in New England.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Zay Jones, WR

If you are a fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars, there are finally some things to be excited about heading into the 2022 regular season. The Jaguars have a Super Bowl-winning head coach, a possible star at quarterback, and plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball.

One weapon the team brought in this offseason was wide receiver Zay Jones, who is coming off a solid season with the Raiders. However, if the expectation is that Jones will look like a first-round pick, and become a WR1 for the franchise, those are way too lofty.

Kansas City Chiefs: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

Another monster move this offseason including the AFC landscape was the trade of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. For the Chiefs, that leaves them with a gaping hole at the wide receiver position, one they hope to fill with former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout, JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Do not get me wrong, Smith-Schuster is a solid wide receiver, but is he really good enough to fill Hill’s shoes, and lead this young position group. The Chiefs spent a second-round pick on Skyy Moore and brought in Marquez Valdes-Scantling to bolster the wideout room as well, but JuJu will have to be the guy.

Las Vegas Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB

Last year, the Las Vegas Raiders made it a point to bring in some talent around running back Josh Jacobs, who has been their feature back since taking him in the first round back in 2019. For Jacobs, the issue has not been productive when on the field, but it has been staying healthy to play a full slate of games.

Kenyan Drake arrived last season, and this offseason, the team added Brandon Bolden and draft pick Zamir White. Las Vegas not picking up Jacobs’s fifth-year option was also telling, as his time as the No. 1 back with the Silver and Black may be coming to an end.

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR

Going into the 2022 NFL season, many feel that the Los Angeles Chargers are a potential Super Bowl team, though they may want to make the playoffs first. Last year, they were bounced by the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, and until they can reach the postseason, maybe we should pump the brakes.

When it comes to their roster, wide receiver Keenan Allen is one of the best in the game but is he as good as many make him out to be. Last year, Mike Williams led the Chargers in receiving yards and touchdowns, so while Allen is an outstanding talent, he could be overrated just a bit.

Los Angeles Rams: Taylor Rapp, S

Despite dealing with some injuries late in the season, Taylor Rapp returned for the Los Angeles Rams for the Super Bowl run and had seven tackles in the game. He even got engaged after the Rams beat the Bengals, and overall, his 2021 season was his best as a pro, nabbing four interceptions.

In 2022, Rapp may not even be a starter for the Rams, as Nick Scott played very well down the stretch, and could stay in the starting role. Rapp is a solid talent and could start for a lot of NFL teams, but the Rams may not be one of them.

Miami Dolphins: Byron Jones, CB

The Miami Dolphins are a team to watch this upcoming season, after swinging a deal for Tyreek Hill this offseason, a move that will improve their offense in a big way. On defense, the Dolphins did add talented players to the group as well, as they will try to find a way to be a playoff team this upcoming season.

Jones will begin the 2022 training camp on the PUP list, after having surgery on his leg this past March. The hope is that he will be ready to go for the start of the season, but if not, Noah Igbinoghene could slide in as the starting cornerback alongside Xavier Howard.

Minnesota Vikings: Eric Kendricks, LB

Last season, Eric Kendricks had his best season as a pro in terms of tackling, but something was missing in terms of him being the entire package at the linebacker spot. He had his worst PFF grade since his rookie season, and at age 30, his best days might be behind him.

Adam Patrick does a tremendous job covering the Vikings at VikingAge.com, and he agrees, as he named him his most overrated Viking going into 2022. Sure, he is still a solid player, but time could be catching up to him.

New England Patriots: Trent Brown, OT

There was a time when Trent Brown was considered the best right tackle in football, as he helped the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl victory. However, inconsistent play and injuries have plagued him since he joined the Raiders, and even in his return to New England in 2021, he played in only nine games.

In terms of the position group, when healthy, Brown could be one of the best in the game, but he has not shown availability in quite some time. If he can get his weight under control, and stay away from the medical tent, the Patriots should have a top right tackle in the game in 2022.

New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston, QB

With Drew Brees retiring after the 2020 NFL season, and Sean Payton stepping down after last season, the New Orleans Saints are in turmoil heading into 2022. Now that he is healthy, Jameis Winston will assume the starting quarterback role, but is he someone the Saints can count on?

Winston has not played like a first-round pick in some time, and while he would be an outstanding backup, giving him the keys to the car against could be a disaster for Dennis Allen, the team’s new head coach. Is Winston ready to lead a team? That remains to be seen, but anyone thinking he is going to set the NFL on fire could be massively disappointed.

New York Giants: Kenny Golladay, WR

When the New York Giants were able to land Kenny Golladay in free agency last offseason, it was seen as a franchise-changing get. The Giants had been lacking a true WR1 for quite some time, and Golladay was coming off some strong seasons playing for the lowly Detroit Lions.

Incredibly, Golladay was downright bad for New York, hauling in less than 40 catches despite missing only three games. If he wants to assume his title as the WR1 in New York, he is going to have to at least double that number, which I do not see happening.

New York Jets: Lamarcus Joyner, S

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is entering his second season at the helm, and the hope for Jets fans is that this team can get themselves on the right track. The Jets have been a doormat in the AFC East for years, but there is hope now that they have a young quarterback in Zach Wilson.

Turning to the defensive side of the ball, the Jets added two first-round picks this April, bringing in edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and cornerback Sauce Gardner. They should help this defense improve, but veteran Lamarcus Joyner must be better at safety against three divisional offenses that should be solid in 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles: Miles Sanders, RB

The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping that Jalen Hurts can take a step forward in 2021, after a solid rookie year that saw him make plays with both his arm and his legs. Hurts’ development is crucial for the success of the franchise, but so is the growth of their young running back Miles Sanders.

Sanders played in 16 games as a rookie but has not played in more than 12 since, and the production just has not been there. If Hurts is going to succeed, he needs more from his running back, and at only 24 years old, Sanders’s best years could be still in front of him.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Chase Claypool, WR

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be entering a new era this season, as Big Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 NFL season. Now, they will turn to either Mason Rudolph, Mitchell Trubisky, or rookie Kenny Pickett to lead them in 2022, all a major downgrade from the Super Bowl-winning veteran.

Whoever starts will have to make do without JuJu Smith-Schuster, who signed on with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason. One player with major eyes on him is Chase Claypool, who may not yet be ready to jump into a WR1 role this early in his career.

San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, DT

When it comes to the San Francisco 49ers, most of the talk this offseason will be around whether or not Trey Lance is ready to be the team’s starting quarterback. This is a playoff-ready team that made a run with Jimmy G under center last season, but all signs are pointing to the franchise going with the second-year Lance in 2022.

On defense, one player who needs to step up in 2022 is Javon Kinlaw, who was the team’s first-round pick back in 2020. Kinlaw is coming back from injury in 2022 and has yet to live up to his first-round billing this early in his career.

Seattle Seahawks: Jamal Adams, S

It has been a wild offseason for the Seattle Seahawks, as they traded away their franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson. With Drew Lock at the helm of the offense in 2022, you can expect that unit to take a major step backward, which puts more emphasis on the defense.

One defensive player who has not lived up to his contract is Jamal Adams, who enters his third season with the Seahawks. He has played in 12 games in each of his first two years in Seattle, a mark that must improve in what could be a tough season in the Northwest.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyle Rudolph, TE

While Tom Brady decided to un-retire earlier this offseason, his No. 1 target, Rob Gronkowski has decided to stay retired. That left the Bucs with a hole at the tight end position, one they hope to fill with another veteran, Kyle Rudolph.

The problem is, Rudolph is way past his prime, and it showed in a big way during his only season with the New York Giants last year. If Bucs fans are hoping to get the player who dominated the NFL landscape in Minnesota, they could be in for a big disappointment.

Tennessee Titans: Bud Dupree, LB

During his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bud Dupree established himself as one of the better linebackers in the NFL. However, he has battled through injuries and inconsistent play since signing a monster contract with the Tennessee Titans.

That contract, a five-year/$82.5 million deal was supposed to make him the anchor of this Titans defense, but he played in only 11 games in Year 1. Hopefully, the Titans will get the player who terrorized offenses in Pittsburgh, or else this looks like another big-time contract that will not pan out for the Titans.

Washington Commanders: Carson Wentz, QB

The Washington Commanders made the move to acquire Carson Wentz this offseason, and they hope that he can go back to being the signal-caller he was early on in his career in Philadelphia. Wentz was a young star with the Eagles before his major injury, and if he plays the way he did last year in Indianapolis, he could be looking for a new home once again.