All-Time NFL Most Underrated Team

Some NFL players don't get the love they deserve during their careers despite being among the best to ever do it. See Frank Gore and others.

Not every NFL star gets the love they deserve. Sometimes it’s because they played next to even bigger stars and sometimes it’s because they played on terrible teams.

History is a funny thing. It’s usually written by the winners and lets the rest of the participants kind of fall by the wayside. For the greatest underrated NFL players of all time, we’re seeking a sort of “correction” for their careers. One in which they get just a modicum of the props they deserve.

Here’s our All-Time NFL Most Underrated Team.

Quarterback: Philip Rivers

Rebecca Blackwell / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 8, 1981 (Decatur, Alabama)

College: North Carolina State

Career: 17 seasons (2004-20)

Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2004-19), Indianapolis Colts (2020)

Career highlights: NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013), eight-time Pro Bowl (2006, 2009-11, 2013, 2016-18), San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Philip Rivers

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

Whatever you think of Philip Rivers, don’t ever accuse him of being soft. He played the entire 2007 AFC championship game with a torn ACL.

Rivers’ outsized personality didn’t win him many fans outside of the cities he played in during his 17 seasons in the NFL, but the final tally on his numbers tell a story of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Rivers finished his career with 63,440 passing yards, putting him in the top 10 in the NFL career list.

Running Back: Ricky Watters

Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Born: April 7, 1969 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

College: Notre Dame

Career: 10 seasons (1992-2001)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1991-94), Philadelphia Eagles (1995-97), Seattle Seahawks (1998-2001)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), five-time Pro Bowl (1992-96), Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Ricky Watters

San Francisco 49ers running back Ricky Watters

Ed Reinke / AP Photo

Modern football fans never had the pleasure of seeing Ricky Watters — or his distinctive, high-stepping running style — in his prime. Watters was an undisputed winner at every level, winning a national championship at Notre Dame and a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

Watters has never been a serious candidate for the Hall of Fame, which can be blamed almost solely on several incidents where he alienated teammates with his bad attitude. But his stats hold up with some of the very best running backs who ever played the game.

Running Back: Frank Gore

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Born: May 14, 1983 (Miami, Florida)

College: Miami

Career: 16 seasons (2005-20)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (2005-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020)

Career highlights: NFL All-Pro (2006), five-time Pro Bowl (2006, 2009, 2011-13), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Frank Gore

Ashley Landis / AP Photo

NFL statheads and maybe only NFL statheads appreciate Frank Gore’s career. The 5-foot-9 running back played 16 seasons and finished his career No. 3 on the NFL’s career rushing list but had only one All-Pro season and never ran for more than 1,500 yards in a single season.

Gore did not get his proper due during his career but was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and should be a shoo-in when he’s eligible to join the Hall of Fame in 2026.

Wide Receiver: Anquan Boldin

Matt York / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 3, 1980 (Pahokee, Florida)

College: Florida State

Career: 14 seasons (2003-16)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2003-09), Baltimore Ravens (2010-12), San Francisco 49ers (2013-15), Detroit Lions (2016)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2012), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2003), Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2015), three-time Pro Bowl (2003, 2006, 2008)

Bottom Line: Anquan Boldin

Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin

FILE- In this Oct. 9, 2016, file photo, to (80) rushes against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit. Boldin abruptly announced his retirement just under two weeks after signing with the Buffalo Bills. General manager Brandon Beane made it official Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, by saying the team respects Boldin’s decision to retire. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File) Rick Osentoski / AP Photo

Anquan Boldin made up one of the better NFL wide receiver tandems of the modern era paired with Larry Fitzgerald on the Arizona Cardinals.

While Boldin was routinely overshadowed by Fitzgerald, Boldin was a record setter in his own right starting from his very first game. His 217 receiving yards in his first NFL game is still a record. How good were Boldin and Fitzgerald together? They got the Cardinals (the Cardinals!) to a Super Bowl in 2009.

While Boldin wasn’t always a star, he was stunningly consistent. He never had under 50 receptions in a season and had over 800 receiving yards in 11 out of 14 seasons, including seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.

Wide Receiver: Harold Jackson

CornerPubSports / Twitter

Born: Jan. 6, 1946 (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)

College: Jackson State

Career: 16 seasons (1968-83, 1987)

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1968, 1973-77), Philadelphia Eagles (1969-72), New England Patriots (1978-81, 1987), Minnesota Vikings (1982), Seattle Seahawks (1983)

Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1972, 1973, 1977), five-time Pro Bowl (1969, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977)

Bottom Line: Harold Jackson

kengfunk / Twitter

Harold Jackson only played two games as a rookie for the Los Angeles Rams in 1968 before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969, where he quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers.

Jackson led the NFL in receiving yards twice, receptions once and receiving touchdowns once. Of all the players on this list, Jackson might actually be the most underrated. He led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the 1970s but wasn’t named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.

Imagine that.

Wide Receiver: Sonny Randle

AZCardinals / Twitter

Born: Jan. 8, 1936 (Cohasset, Virginia)

Died: May 23, 2017 (age 81, Harrisonburg, Virginia)

College: Virginia

Career: 10 seasons (1959-68)

Teams: Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals (1959-66), San Francisco 49ers (1967-68), Dallas Cowboys (1968)

Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (1960, 1962), four-time Pro Bowl (1960-62, 1965)

Bottom Line: Sonny Randle

revengeofbirds / Twitter

At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Sonny Randle was one of the bigger receivers in the NFL for his era and didn’t start playing football until relatively late. He only played his senior season of high school and earned a scholarship at the University of Virginia after joining the team as a walk-on.

While Randle’s 5,996 career receiving yards and 365 career receptions don’t necessarily jump off the page, what does is his 65 career receiving touchdowns in just 120 career games, which ranks him among the top touchdown-per-game leaders in NFL history.

Tight End: Pete Retzlaff

PHLEaglesNation / Twitter

Born: Aug. 21, 1931 (Ellendale, North Dakota)

Died: April 10, 2020, 88 years old (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)

College: South Dakota State

Career: 11 seasons (1956-66)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles

Career highlights: NFL champion (1960), four-time NFL All-Pro (1958, 1964-66), five-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1960, 1963-65), Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame

Bottom Line: Pete Retzlaff

Eaglesortheyear / Twitter

Pete Retzlaff was a star running back at South Dakota State but was cut by the Lions in 1953 and didn’t make an NFL roster until 1956.

He led the NFL in receptions in 1958 despite never having caught a pass in a game before, and had his best season in 1965 with 66 receptions for 10 touchdowns on the way to being named NFL Player of the Year.

Tight End: Jason Witten

Kathy Willens / AP Photo

Born: May 6, 1982 (Washington, D.C.)

College: Tennessee

Career: 17 seasons (2003-17, 2019-20)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (2003-17, 2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2020)

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012), 11-time Pro Bowl (2004-10, 2012-14, 2017), Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2012)

Bottom Line: Jason Witten

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten

Steve Marcus / AP Photo

Jason Witten didn’t even play tight end until college, when a lack of roster depth forced him to switch positions from defensive end.

He’s second in NFL history for receptions and receiving yards for a tight end and holds NFL records for most receptions in one half and most games with 15-plus receptions.

One of the most durable players in NFL history, Witten didn’t miss a game over his last 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys but lands on the underrated list because of his lack of postseason success. He never played in a conference championship game or a Super Bowl.

Offensive Line: Jim Tyrer

William Straeter / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 25, 1939 (Newark, Ohio)

Died: Sept. 15, 1980, 41 years old (Kansas City, Missouri)

College: Ohio State

Career: 14 seasons (1961-74)

Teams: Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1961-73), Washington Redskins (1974)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), two-time NFL All-Pro (1970, 1971), Eight-time All-AFL (1962-69), seven-time AFL All-Star (1962-66, 1968, 1969), two-time Pro Bowl (1970, 1971), three-time AFL champion (1962, 1968, 1969), AFL All-Time Team, Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame

Bottom Line: Jim Tyrer

San Diego Chargers head coach Sid Gillman, center, directs American Football League All-Star and Kansas City Chiefs tackle Jim Tyrer

AP Photo

Jim Tyrer was one of the greatest offensive tackles of his era and was one of the keys to helping the Dallas Texans transition to become the Kansas City Chiefs, who then became Super Bowl champions in 1969, laying the groundwork for the modern NFL.

Tyrer’s life ended up being one of the more tragic stories in NFL history following his career. In 1980, following a series of financial setbacks, Tyrer murdered his 40-year-old wife, Martha, then killed himself at the family’s home in Kansas City, Missouri. He was 41 years old.

Offensive Line: Zack Martin

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin

Roger Steinman / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 20, 1980 (Indianapolis, Indiana)

College: Notre Dame

Career: 10 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Career highlights: Eight-time NFL All-Pro (2014-19, 2021, 2022), eight-time Pro Bowl (2014-19, 2021, 2022), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2014), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Zack Martin

Peter Joneleit / AP Photo

Already considered one of the best guards to play in the NFL in the last 20 years, Zack Martin’s career might already be considered Hall of Fame worthy. He’s a seven-time NFL All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.

What’s keeping Martin on the underrated list is his lack of success with the only team he’s ever played for. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, the franchise is 2-6 in the postseason, although Martin’s been fairly compensated for his efforts. He signed a six-year, $84 million contract in 2018.

Offensive Line: Jason Kelce

Alex Brandon / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 5, 1987 (Charlotte, North Carolina)

College: Cincinnati

Career: 13 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2017), five-time NFL All-Pro (2017-19, 2021, 2022), si-time Pro Bowl (2014, 2016, 2019-22)

Bottom Line: Jason Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) embraces his brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce

Adam Hunger / AP Photo

Jason Kelce has been one of the dominant offensive linemen in the NFL over the last decade, making four NFL All-Pro teams and helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl upset of the New England Patriots. He may have played himself off of this list by leading the Eagles back to the Super Bowl following the 2022 regular season, but offensive linemen are perpetually underrated so it’s all good.

The whole story is kind of amazing considering he started his college career at the University of Cincinnati as a running back. Kelce’s brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, is one of the all-time greats at his position and a Hall of Fame lock.

Could Jason Kelce join him one day? We hope so.

Offensive Line: Dick Schafrath

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Dick Schafrath

sigg20 / Twitter

Born: March 21, 1987 (Wooster, Ohio)

Died: Aug. 15, 2021, 81 years old (Wooster, Ohio)

College: Ohio State

Career: 13 seasons (1959-71)

Teams: Cleveland Browns

Career highlights: NFL champion (1964), four-time NFL All-Pro (1963-65, 1969), seven-time Pro Bowl (1963-68)

Bottom Line: Dick Schafrath

AP Photo

Dick Schafrath was one of the more unique individuals to ever play in the NFL, known as much for his talents on the offensive line as for his personality away from the field in a series of bizarre publicity stunts.

Schafrath — who once wrestled a bear, canoed across Lake Erie without stopping and jogged 62 miles from Cleveland Stadium to his hometown of Wooster, Ohio — was also an NFL champion and four-time NFL All-Pro.

Once his career was over, Schafrath’s life took another strange twist. He served as an Ohio state senator from 1986 until retiring from politics in 2000.

Schafrath died in 2021, at 84 years old.

Offensive Line: Lomas Brown

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Lomas Brown

L.G. Patterson / AP Photo

Born: March 30, 1963 (Miami, Florida)

College: Florida

Career: 18 seasons (1985-2002)

Teams: Detroit Lions (1985-95), Arizona Cardinals (1996-98), Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Giants (2000-01), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), three-time NFL All-Pro (1991, 1994, 1995), seven-time Pro Bowl (1990-96), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1985), Detroit Lions All-Time Team

Bottom Line: Lomas Brown

New York Giants offensive tackle Lomas Brown

AP Photo

Lomas Brown was a high school football star in Florida, then an All-American at the University of Florida before embarking on an 18-season NFL career.

Brown spent almost the entirety of his career toiling away in anonymity but was the key blocker for legendary running back Barry Sanders on the Detroit Lions on teams that made the playoffs in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995 — a stretch of success almost unfathomable to any modern Lions fan.

Kicker: Matt Bryant

Billy Weeks / AP Photo

Born: May 29, 1975 (Orange, Texas)

College: Baylor

Career: 18 seasons (2002-19)

Teams: New York Giants (2002-03), Indianapolis Colts (2004), Miami Dolphins (2004), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-08), Atlanta Falcons (2009-19)

Career highlights: Pro Bowl (2016)

Bottom Line: Matt Bryant

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Matt Bryant’s entire career was a study in resilience. He played his final college football season at Baylor in 1998 before working in a pawn shop and as a personal trainer while playing in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe.

Bryant finally caught on with the New York Giants in 2002 and played for four teams before landing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2009, where he spent the final decade of his career.

Bryant had his best season in 2016, at 41 years old, when he made his only Pro Bowl and led the NFL in scoring.

Defensive Line: Jared Allen

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

Born: April 3, 1982 (Dallas, Texas)

College: Idaho State

Career: 12 seasons (2004-15)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (2004-07), Minnesota Vikings (2008-13), Chicago Bears (2014-15), Carolina Panthers (2015)

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (2007-09, 2011), five-time Pro Bowl (2007-09, 2011, 2012)

Bottom Line: Jared Allen

Dick Whipple / AP Photo

One of the great “wild man” football players of all time, Jared Allen captured the public’s imagination early in his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and probably would’ve retired with the Chiefs had he not been on the receiving end of one of the worst front-office moves of all time.

In 2007, coming off his first time leading the NFL in sacks, Kansas City general manager CArl Peterson chose to reward running back Larry Johnson with a mega-contract instead of Allen, putting the franchise tag on Allen and trading him to the Vikings.

Allen led the NFL in sacks again in 2011 and holds the NFL career record with four safeties. He finished his career in 2015 with 136 sacks.

Defensive Line: Leslie O’Neal

San Diego Chargers defensive end Leslie O'Neal

Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Born: May 7, 1964 (Little Rock, Arkansas)

College: Oklahoma State

Career: 14 seasons (1986-99)

Teams: San Diego Chargers (1986-95), St. Louis Rams (1996-97), Kansas City Chiefs (1998-99)

Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1990, 1992, 1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1989, 1990, 1992-95), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1986)

Bottom Line: Leslie O’Neal

Doug Mills / AP Photo

Leslie O’Neal’s career sack total (132.5) would have been much higher had he not missed almost all of two seasons after suffering a devastating knee injury at the end of his rookie season in 1986.

O’Neal returned from the injury better than ever and started to rack up sacks at a dizzying rate playing on the same defense as Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau. O’Neal led the Chargers in sacks every season from 1990-95.

During that stretch, he made the Pro Bowl five times and was named to the NFL All-Pro Team three times.

Defensive Line: Joe Klecko

New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko

Paul Benoit / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 15, 1953 (Chester, Pennsylvania)

College: Temple

Career: 12 seasons (1977-88)

Teams: New York Jets (1977-87), Indianapolis Colts (1988)

Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981), three-time NFL All-Pro (1981, 1983, 1985), four-time Pro Bowl (1981, 1983-85), New York Jets Ring of Honor

Bottom Line: Joe Klecko

Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, David Woodley

Harry Harris / AP Photo

Modern NFL fans probably can’t tell you much about Joe Klecko, which is a damn shame.

Klecko was a rare breed. Called “ox strong and cat-quick” by Jets teammate Marvin Powell, Klecko made money on the side in high school playing under an assumed name on a semi-pro football team and was also a two-time NCAA heavyweight boxing champion.

He went on to star at Temple before becoming part of “The New York Sack Exchange” on the New York Jets with Mark Gastineau in the 1980s, when Klecko was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1981. He also was a three-time NFL All-Pro.

Defensive Line: John Abraham

Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham

John Bazemore / AP Photo

Born: May 6, 1978 (Timmonsville, South Carolina)

College: South Carolina

Career: 15 seasons (2000-14)

Teams: New York Jets (2000-05), Atlanta Falcons (2006-12), Arizona Cardinals (2013-14)

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2008, 2010), five-time Pro Bowl (2001, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2013)

Bottom Line: John Abraham

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

John Abraham played his last NFL game in 2014, but it feels like his dominant career as a pass rusher is being lost to history.

A lot of that comes from the absolutely horrid teams he played for to bookend his career — the New York Jets for six seasons to begin with and the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons to end with.

Abraham only played in eight playoff games in 15 seasons, going 2-6. But he still finished his career with 133.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Bobby Wagner

John Froschauer / AP Photo

Born: June 27, 1990 (Los Angeles, California)

College: Utah State

Career: 12 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Seattle Seahawks (2012-21, 2023-present), Los Angeles Rams (2022)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2013), eight-time NFL All-Pro (2014-21), eight-time Pro Bowl (2014-21), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Bobby Wagner

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner

Marcio J. Sanchez / AP Photo

If you’re trying to figure out what’s made Bobby Wagner so special as an NFL linebacker, start with his speed. He clocked a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 2012.

Wagner has set himself apart over the last decade and may already have earned a spot in the Hall of Fame as an eight-time NFL All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.

Linebacker: Pat Swilling

Judi Botton / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 25, 1964 (Toccoa, Georgia)

College: Georgia Tech

Career: 12 seasons (1986-96, 1998)

Teams: New Orleans Saints (1986-92), Detroit Lions (1993-94), Oakland Raiders (1995-96, 1998)

Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1989-93), four-time All-Pro (1989-92), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1991)

Bottom Line: Pat Swiling

George Widman / AP Photo

Pat Swilling was part of perhaps the finest assembly of linebackers in NFL history — the New Orleans Saints’ famous “Dome Patrol” of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses.

One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with 107.5 sacks but no playoff wins. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win.

Linebacker: Karl Mecklenburg

AP Photo

Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington)

College: Minnesota

Career: 12 seasons (1983-94)

Team: Denver Broncos

Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989)

Bottom Line: Karl Mecklenburg

AP Photo

Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL draft. But he ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker.

Mecklenburg anchored Denver’s defense with safety Steve Atwater and helped lead Denver to three AFC titles — and three Super Bowl losses.

Sadly, Mecklenburg’s post-football life has been defined by his battle with brain injuries sustained playing football, and he’s part of several concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL.

Defensive Back: Eric Allen

Eagles / Twitter

Born: Nov. 22, 1965 (San Diego, California)

College: Arizona State

Career: 14 seasons (1988-2001)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1988-94), New Orleans Saints (1995-97), Oakland Raiders (1998-2001)

Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1989, 1991, 1993), six-time Pro Bowl (1989, 1991-95), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1988), Eagles 75th Anniversary Team

Bottom Line: Eric Allen

Amy Sancetta / AP Photo

Eric Allen is best known for his time on the Philadelphia Eagles “Gang Green” defense in the late 1980s and early 1990s and tied the NFL record with four interception returns for touchdowns in a single season in 1993.

Allen finished his career with 54 interceptions and actually had productive seasons late in his career. He came back from an ACL tear to record six interceptions with three returned for touchdowns while playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2000.

Defensive Back: Everson Walls

Ron Heflin / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 28, 1959 (Dallas, Texas)

College: Grambling State

Career: 13 seasons (1981-93)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1981-89), New York Giants (1990-92), Cleveland Browns (1992-93)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1990), three-time NFL All-Pro (1982, 1983, 1985), four-time Pro Bowl (1981-83, 1985), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981)

Bottom Line: Everson Walls

Cleveland Browns cornerback Everson Walls

Piet van Lier / AP Photo

Everson Walls was an All-American for legendary coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling State before becoming a star for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980s, then winning a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in the early 1990s.

We’re not totally sure why Walls hasn’t received more consideration for the Hall of Fame. He led the NFL in interceptions for three seasons, which is tied with Hall of Famer Ed Reed for the NFL record.

And few players in NFL history, if any, can say they’ve played for the group of coaches Walls learned under — Robinson, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick.

Defensive Back: Ken Riley

AP Photo

Born: Aug. 6, 1947 (Bartow, Florida)

Died: June 7, 2020, 72 years old (Bartow, Florida)

College: Florida A&M

Career: 15 seasons (1969-83)

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals

Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1983), Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor

Bottom Line: Ken Riley

AP Photo

Ken Riley was a quarterback and Rhodes Scholar candidate at Florida A&M before carving out a 15-season career as a defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Riley’s 65 career interceptions rank among the NFL’s all-time greats, and he was a three-time NFL All-Pro. But somehow, he never made a Pro Bowl, which is its own form of blasphemy.

Riley, who died in 2020 at 72 years old, was the head football coach at Florida A&M for 12 seasons before becoming the school’s athletic director until his retirement.

Defensive Back: Jake Scott

AP Photo

Born: July 20, 1945 (Greenwood, South Carolina)

Died: Nov. 19, 2020, 75 years old (Atlanta, Georgia)

College: Georgia

Career: 9 seasons (1970-78)

Teams: Miami Dolphins (1970-75), Washington Redskins (1976-78)

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1973, 1974), Super Bowl MVP (1973), five-time NFL All-Pro (1971-75), five-time Pro Bowl (1971-75)

Bottom Line: Jake Scott

AP Photo

Jake Scott had a fascinating football career. After being named SEC Player of the Year at the University of Georgia in 1968 as a junior, he left school early to go play in the Canadian Football League for one season before heading to the NFL in 1970.

Scott became an instant star for the Miami Dolphins, where he played six seasons, made five NFL All-Pro teams, won two Super Bowls and, most famously, was named Super Bowl MVP in 1973 after recording two interceptions in a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins.

If Scott’s name has largely been lost to history, that’s probably on purpose. He shunned the spotlight and shunned most public activities that would have remembered and honored his career, instead choosing to live in the Colorado mountains, Florida Keys and Hawaii for most of his post-football life.

Scott died in 2020, at 75 years old.

Return Specialist: Cordarrelle Patterson

Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Born: March 17, 1991 (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

College: Hutchinson Community College/Tennessee

Career: 11 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2013-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), New England Patriots (2018), Chicago Bears (2019-20), Atlanta Falcons (2021-present)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2019), seven-time NFL All-Pro (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018-20), four-time Pro Bowl (2013, 2016, 2019, 2020), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Cordarrelle Patterson

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson

John Bazemore / AP Photo

There will be an interesting debate when Cordarrelle Patterson’s career finally comes to a close. Is he the greatest return specialist of all time?

Most people think that honor belongs to Devin Hester, but Patterson has a case. He’s a seven-time NFL All-Pro, won a Super Bowl, was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team and holds NFL records for longest play (109 yards) and most career kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Punter: Johnny Hekker

Jeff Chiu / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 8, 1990 (Redmond, Washington)

College: Oregon State

Career: 12 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-21), Carolina Panthers (2022-present)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2021), six-time NFL All-Pro (2013-18), four-time Pro Bowl (2013, 2015-17), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Johnny Hekker

Tyler Kaufman / AP Photo

This may have been the most difficult position to pick on this list because punters are generally so underrated and there have been so many great ones in the history of the NFL.

We went modern with it. Johnny Hekker has been one of the NFL’s best punters for the last decade, is a six-time NFL All-Pro, owns the best single-season average for punts with 44.23 yards and has the longest punt in Super Bowl history with a 65-yarder against the New England Patriots.

Head Coach: Marv Levy

Doug Mills / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 3, 1925 (Chicago, Illinois)

College: Coe College

Career: 22 seasons (1973-82, 1986-97)

Teams: Montreal Alouettes (1973-77), Kansas City Chiefs (1978-82), Buffalo Bills (1986-97)

Career highlights: Four-time AFC champion (1990-93), two-time Grey Cup champion (1974, 1977), Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year (1988), two-time UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1988, 1993), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

Bottom Line: Marv Levy

Bill Sikes / AP Photo

Marv Levy is best known for his time as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, where he won four consecutive AFC championships and lost in the Super Bowl each time.

Levy’s career is much more expansive than that. His coaching career spanned five decades, starting as the head coach at St. Louis Country Day School in 1951 and ending with his final season as head coach of the Bills in 1997.

In that stretch he was also the head coach at the University of New Mexico, Cal-Berkeley and William & Mary before making the move to the pros — where he actually won a championship with the Montreal Alouettes, winning two Grey Cups in 1974 and 1977.

Owner: Steve Bisciotti

Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Born: April 10, 1960 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

College: Salisbury State

Career: 24 seasons (2000-present)

Teams: Baltimore Ravens

Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2000, 2012)

Bottom Line: Steve Bisciotti

Terrance Williams / AP Photo

After Steve Bisciotti became a multimillionaire via his staffing company, Aerotek, he purchased 49 percent of the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 for $275 million, then purchased the rest of the team for $375 million in 2004 — a combined $600 million for the franchise.

The Ravens won the Super Bowl in Bisciotti’s first season as an owner, then again in 2012. The franchise now has an estimated value of $3.4 billion, and Bisciotti’s net worth has grown to $2.7 billion.