The 2021 NFL Season is approaching and it's bound to be a great one. With so many emerging stars in the league paired with established stars, the NFL is set to have an enticing season and future. The talent level in the league will be unreal, but there are always overrated players.
Here are the 10 most overrated players going into the 2021 NFL Season.
10. Wide receiver A.J. Green
A.J. Green was once regarded as a top receiver in the league, but he has fallen off over the past few seasons. Injuries have played a role in his downfall, but some still expect a ton of production out of him. Green only had 523 yards and 2 touchdowns last season which are not close to elite-level numbers.
He has a chance to revitalize his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals as the 3rd or 4th option, but as of now, he is overrated.
9. Edge Rusher Bud Dupree
Bud Dupree has been a solid edge rusher throughout his career but has never been a Pro Bowler or All-Pro. He played in 11 of the 16 games last season posting 8 sacks before tearing his ACL. Dupree then went out and signed a five-year $82.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. This contract makes him one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the league.
While Dupree is a solid pass rusher, he isn't as talented as other top pass rushers. According to PFF over 60 percent of his pressures were cleanup or unblocked situations. This shows that he was not creating a ton of pressure on his own. He also ranked a mere 71st out of 105 players in pass-rush grade according to PFF.
It will be tough for Dupree to live up to his NFL contract and erase is overrated status, especially coming off of an ACL tear.
8. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney is a 3 time Pro Bowler but has struggled after leaving the Houston Texans back in the 2019 offseason. Clowney was a very productive pass rusher with sky-high potential just a few seasons ago but has fallen off.
He finished last season with 0 sacks for the Titans which just won't cut it. The Cleveland Browns then signed him to a one-year $8 million deal that can reach $10 million. Some people are expecting Clowney to get back to his old self as he will be on the other side of Myles Garrett.
He may have an increase in production but he won't get back to being an elite pass rusher.
7. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a great first two seasons but has struggled as the number one receiver. Last season he had 831 yards and 9 touchdowns which are solid numbers but not good enough for a number one receiver.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers use Smith-Schuster as the number two receiver he could be solid but don't expect a ton of production as the number one.
6. Cornerback Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson was one of the top cornerbacks in the league just a few seasons ago but has struggled of late. Peterson had a grade of 55.2 on PFF which was 90th out of all cornerbacks in the NFL.
He is not what he used to be and the Minnesota Vikings may not be happy with the production he brings.
5. Quarterback Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott has been a young star in the NFL but is heavily overpaid, which contributes to his overrated status. He signed a 4 year $160 million deal which makes him the second-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Prescott has made 2 Pro Bowls in his career but has only led the Dallas Cowboys to one playoff win.
He is great at putting up numbers but needs to prove himself in big games.
4. Wide receiver Amari Cooper
Amari Cooper is a great player but is not a top receiver in the league. Many regard Cooper on the same level as Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, and a few others. Those players aforementioned are superstars while Cooper is a level below them as a star.
Cooper will still be a solid player but should not be in the conversation of one of the best receivers in the league.
3. Running back Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott is a 3 time Pro Bowler but does not rank as a top 5 running back in the league. Elliot is regarded as a top running back in the league but that isn't the case anymore. He finished last season with only 979 yards and 6 touchdowns. Elliot is also severely overpaid as he signed a 6 year $90 million deal which is super expensive for a running back.
While these numbers are solid, they are not at the level of the top 5 running backs in the league.
2. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. was one of the best wide receivers in the league before being traded to the Browns. He hasn't been the same player since leaving the New York Giants and is no longer a top receiver in the league.
Beckham Jr. could become a top receiver soon but as of now, he is overrated.
1. Safety Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams is among the top safeties in the NFL, but his value is overrated. He is a very versatile safety that can play in pass coverage and rush the passer. The problem with Adams being overrated is his talent level but rather where people rank him. Adams is a great player but is not one of the best defenders in the league.
While all of these players still bring value to teams, they are the 10 most overrated players heading into this 2021 NFL Season.
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