Under the Offensive Radar

While offense continues to be on the rise in the NFL, there are many defenses with elite players that go unnoticed.  Here are the three most underrated defensive players in the NFL; the most underrated defensive lineman, linebacker, and secondary player.
(side note: it is purely a coincidence that they all are in their 4th season in the NFL.)


Michael Johnson, Defensive End, Cincinnati Bengals

Johnson(#93) sacks Redskins QB Robert Griffin III.  With the emergence of
Johnson, DTs Domata Peko and Geno Atkins, and DE Carlos Dunlap, the Bengals
defensive line has become one for opposing quarterbacks to fear.

After being considered an average defensive end for the first three years of his career, Michael Johnson has burst into top defensive lineman talks-- and burst through offensive lines.  He already has as many sacks(6) in the first seven games of this season than he did in all 16 games last season, tied for 5th in the league.  Only three of the players ahead of him in that stat also have more tackles than him, and those three are J.J. Watt, Clay Matthews, and DeMarcus Ware.  At 6'7", 270 lbs., Johnson is extremely athletic, and uses his strong, long arms to swim around or push through offensive tackles, similar to a Jason Pierre-Paul.  If he continues to impress throughout this season, opponents' offensive coordinators are in trouble.


Dannell Ellerbe, Middle Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
When Ravens legendary All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis fell to a triceps tear and was considered out for the remainder of the 2012 season and probably more, many would say it marked the end of a defensive era in Baltimore.  The torch may be passed on to a once mediocre backup, who I believe has what it takes to keep it burning.  Dannell Ellerbe went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, and was picked up in free agency by the Ravens.  He made an impression as a solid tackler, and played in 33 games his first three years.  This season, he as played in all seven games and has 43 tackles, 3rd on the team, to show for it.  Add 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble to that and you have the beginnings of a star linebacker.  While a tad on the short side(6'1"), Ellerbe makes up for it with his fierce, aggressive play.  A vicious but clean hitter, perhaps best displayed when he knocked out Browns KR Josh Cribbs in week 6, Ellerbe also has the traits of a fearless yet intelligent leader.  So far this season, the once stiff Ravens defense has been a misery to watch.  Dannell Ellerbe can bring them back to a force that is feared every Sunday.

Jairus Byrd, Free Safety, Buffalo Bills
Coming out of Oregon, Jairus Byrd possessed and still possesses all the traits of a safety that defensive coordinators dream about; hard hitting, fast, plays to the ball.  Yet somehow, even after his monster 9-interception rookie season, Byrd seems to dodge any conversation involving the best safeties in the NFL.  I have always considered him the best player on the Bills defense, and I still do with newly-acquired sack-machine Mario Williams in the trenches.  He continues to add to his picks total, already snagging three this season, tied for second in the league.  The only safety that has taken more passes away this year than Byrd is Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud (who made a strong case himself to be placed here instead of Byrd).  However, Byrd's other stats resemble more of a linebacker, with 37 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.  Although only 5'10", this can-do-anything Safety is more like an anchor for the Bills defense than an afterthought.

Jairus Byrd was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in week 6 for his 2-interceptions performance versus the
Arizona Cardinals.