National Football League

Ranking the top five underrated quarterbacks in the NFL

Published Jul. 11, 2015 2:13 p.m. ET

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By Evan Massey

The 2015 NFL season is getting closer, and the excitement is beginning to grow surrounding the fan bases around the league. Over the past few seasons, the quarterback position has become even more important than it was even five years ago. Quarterbacks quite simply run the offenses for their teams in this day and age, and running backs are considered more as complimentary pieces to them.

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, there are quite a few quarterbacks who are underrated and not talked about like they should be. Whether it’s because they don’t put up monster numbers and are more game mangers than superstars or it’s due to the fact that they’re young, there are quite a few players who deserve much more attention heading into the 2015 season.

That being said, who are the top five underrated quarterbacks in the NFL as the season continues to draw closer?

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Due to his struggles as a rookie last season, Bortles has been passed over by quite a few analysts and isn’t expected to put up huge numbers in 2015. Despite those expectations, Bortles has every physical tool to succeed, and the Jaguars went out and brought in former Denver Broncos star tight end Julius Thomas to help him out. That addition alone will be a big piece for Bortles, and having a full offseason to work on his game and figure out what he needs to improve will be enough to get him on track for a big year.

Nick Foles, St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher and the Rams were able to bring Foles in via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason and only had to give up injury-plagued quarterback Sam Bradford. Foles was one of the best quarterbacks in the league just two years ago but fell off a bit last year before breaking his collarbone. St. Louis is going to get a better version of Foles than people saw last year, and he will be exactly the quarterback that the Rams have been searching for over the past few seasons.

E.J. Manuel, Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan was hired by the Bills to come in and help take them to the playoffs in 2015, and he was given a much improved roster than they had last year as well. One big question mark is at the quarterback position, but E.J. Manuel is ready to step up and fill that need. He didn’t play bad last season before being replaced by Kyle Orton, and a full offseason of work with a coach who is able to instill confidence in his players will turn things around for Manuel.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Tannehill was rewarded with a large contract extension this offseason by the Dolphins and is one of the better up-and-coming quarterbacks in the game. He threw for 4,045 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions throughout the 2014 season. His numbers are going to be similar if not better than that, especially now that the Dolphins have improved their offensive weapons to help him out.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Even though Flacco has proven himself with a Super Bowl win and quite a few playoff appearances, he still isn’t viewed as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Each and every season, he puts up above-average numbers and takes care of the football, and he will do so once again in 2015. There is no question that he is one of the league’s most underrated quarterbacks, and he will prove it once again this season with the Ravens.

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