NFL All-Underrated Team: Specialists
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New York, NY (PSF) — On a football team, the specialists are certainly the most overlooked position group. While they may not be doing the hitting or making one-handed catches, they provide a necessary service. Having good special teams, many times, is the difference between a good and bad team. Without further ado, I give you the final chapter of the 2023 NFL All-Underrated Team.
Jason Myers (Kicker) - Seattle Seahawks
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If you want to see consistency in a kicker, take a gander at Seattle’s Jason Myers. He went 34 for 37 on field goals and was even a perfect six for six from 50-plus yards. He was also 41 for 42 on extra points. With the kicker providing some of the most important points in a football game, Myers is certainly someone you want lining up those important kicks. He led the league in points responsible for, with 143 points. Having consistency is key for kickers and Seahawks fans can sleep a little easier at night knowing they have Jason Myers.
Ryan Stonehouse (Punter) - Tennessee Titans
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Ryan Stonehouse burst onto the scene as a rookie. He has already planted himself firmly within the league’s top punters. He was second in total punts with 90, which is not an endearing statistic for Titans fans, but it is amazing nonetheless that Stonehouse was able to average 53.1 yards per punt even though he had the second most punts. His longest punt was 74 yards and it just speaks to his consistency that he was able to average above 50 yards a punt. For the cherry on top, he was top 10 in punts inside the 20. Ryan Stonehouse may not be a household name, but he certainly deserves the respect of a top-tier specialist.
Marcus Jones (Returner) - New England Patriots
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The final player of the All-Underrated Team is Patriots returner, Marcus Jones. Yet another rookie who has found a role on his team and made his reps count. On kick returns, he had 27 returns for 645 yards with an average of 23.88 yards. However, his presence was felt more in the punt return game. He had 29 returns for 362 yards including an 84-yard game-winning touchdown in Week 10 against the division-rival Jets. Having a game-changer as a returner is something that is of the utmost importance for an NFL franchise. The Patriots have found one, and he’ll be one to look out for in the future.