At any given moment of the 2024 NFL season, the active rosters of 32 NFL teams will include nearly 1,700 players.

The reality is several will, metaphorically, fall through the cracks.

Although the national lens is broad, it doesn't touch everyone. There are always underrated players who deserve more attention because of their production and impact. However, for any number of reasons—star teammates, rotational role or lack of team success—they don't receive it.

The goal today is changing that—at least for 22 players—as the 2024 season is finally set to begin.

While the picks are subjective, the main factor is past performance.

Quarterback

Considering the amount of attention paid to the position, few players can really fly under the radar. If you've followed the NFL recently, you certainly are familiar with Jared Goff.

What makes him underrated is the journey.

Goff played well for the Los Angeles Rams after Sean McVay became the head coach, helping the franchise reach the Super Bowl in the 2018 season. Over time, though, Goff's effectiveness dwindled. Los Angeles was basically winning with him, not because of him.

Part of the return in the Matthew Stafford trade, Goff seemed like a placeholder in Detroit. His tenure began unceremoniously as the 2021 team started 0-10-1 and 2022 squad went 1-6.

The story has changed since then.

Goff closed the 2022 campaign on a hot streak and backed it up last season, throwing for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns. He led the Lions to an NFC North crown and appearance in the NFC Championship Game.

Although his days as an underrated player are limited, Goff's re-ascent to franchise QB status has been remarkable.

Running Back

During the 2023 offseason, the Carolina Panthers signed Miles Sanders and expected him to become the featured back.

Chuba Hubbard had different plans, however, and ultimately took the starting job early in the season. The quietly productive snap-sharer transformed into Carolina's top runner.

Really, it continued a steady progression for Hubbard.

As a rookie in 2021, he collected 786 scrimmage yards. That output dropped to 637 yards, but he did so more efficiently per touch. Hubbard then totaled a career-best 1,135 yards with five touchdowns last year.

Hubbard, nevertheless, is still fighting for respect; the consensus belief is rookie Jonathan Brooks will be Carolina's RB1 once healthy.

Even if that happens, the Panthers will have a very reliable backup.

Wide Receiver

The first two receivers fit a similar description: No matter their situation, they just keep putting up numbers.

Brandin Cooks has played for five different teams in his decade as a pro. Despite that constant change, he's produced six 1,000-yard campaigns. Cooks had a career-worst 657 yards last season—which isn't that bad anyway—yet caught eight touchdowns, tied for his second-best total.

Darius Slayton, meanwhile, has only suited up for the New York Giants. He's been a part of many mediocre New York offenses in five seasons but recorded four years of 46-plus receptions and 700-plus yards.

The last inclusion is about to get tested in a major way.

Khalil Shakir made 39 catches for 611 yards last season as a complementary target to Stefon Diggs on the Buffalo Bills. Diggs is now gone, leaving Shakir as the potential top receiver. But there is plenty of optimism for Shakir after a breakout second year in the league.

Tight End

It's easy to lose sight of Cole Kmet.

Last year, the Chicago Bears acquired DJ Moore. He excelled in his debut with the Bears, who drafted quarterback Caleb Williams and wideout Rome Odunze in 2024 after signing running back D'Andre Swift and trading for veteran receiver Keenan Allen.

New! Shiny! Flashy!

But as Moore carried the pass-catching corps in 2023, Kmet enjoyed yet another solid season. He topped 500 yards for the third straight year, posting a career-best 719 yards with six touchdowns.

Kmet certainly won't be the featured target in Chicago this season, but he should again be a valuable one.

Offensive Line

Largely due to the lack of traditional stats, offensive linemen are the underrated players within the underrated group.

The first blocker to know is Patrick Mekari, a versatile piece on the Baltimore Ravens. He's logged snaps at every position up front—including significant time everywhere but left guard—in five NFL seasons, mostly contributing as a left tackle for Baltimore in 2023.

Chicago used a second-round pick on Teven Jenkins in 2021, hoping he'd solidify a spot at tackle. That particular goal failed, but he's turned into a respectable starter at left guard.

Also a 2021 draftee, Drew Dalman basically spent his rookie year on the sideline with the Atlanta Falcons. But over the past two seasons, Dalman has played every snap at center (when healthy, of course) and shined as a run blocker for Atlanta's O-line.

There was something in the water in 2021, apparently.

Trey Smith, a sixth-rounder that year, immediately earned a starting job on the Kansas City Chiefs. He's been a steady presence at right guard and already has a couple of Super Bowl rings in a young career.

Rounding out the group is Luke Goedeke, who shifted from left guard to right tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. He'd struggled badly at the interior spot as a rookie in 2022 but played an important role in front of Baker Mayfield during the QB's resurgent year.

Defensive End/Edge

A first-round pick in 2016, Leonard Floyd looked like a bust in Chicago. He tallied seven sacks in a promising rookie year before that number dwindled to 4.5, four and three in the next three seasons.

Very understandably, the Bears released him in the 2020 offseason. Floyd capitalized on his change of scenery, flourishing on the Rams. He notched nine-plus sacks in three seasons with L.A. and reached the number again for the Buffalo Bills in 2023.

Floyd, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers this year, has a great opportunity to continue the trend opposite Nick Bosa.

One of Floyd's former teammates in L.A., Samson Ebukam just assembled a breakout year. He'd posted 4.5 sacks in four consecutive seasons but jumped to 9.5 on the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.

Ebukam is on injured reserve because of a torn Achilles, but Indy—even if optimistically—marked him with a designated to return tag.

Defensive Tackle

Did you know Zach Sieler put up 10 sacks last season? Had you heard his name before five seconds ago?

If you answered no for either question—or both—no worries. Sieler held a complementary role to Christian Wilkins, an All-Pro defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins who's now on the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sieler's reputation could grow quickly in 2024.

Alim McNeil, meanwhile, has blossomed into an integral piece of the Lions' defensive front. He's been a full-time starter for two years and registered career-high marks of five sacks and 13 pressures last season.

Edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson commands the most respect in Detroit, but McNeil's presence helps him, too.

Linebacker

Jahlani Tavai did a little bit of everything at linebacker for the New England Patriots in 2023.

While recording 110 tackles (five for loss, one sack), Tavai forced two fumbles and snagged two interceptions. He also yielded just 4.7 yards per target in coverage.

The career-best season continued an ascent for Tavai, who logged only 57 defensive snaps with the Pats in 2021.

Otherwise, how about a couple of Kansas City teammates?

Drue Tranquill provided 78 tackles (4.5 sacks) with 6.1 yards allowed per target last season, while Leo Chenal collected 65 stops and ceded 6.6 yards per target. They combined for 36 takedowns in the Chiefs' run to a second straight Super Bowl victory.

Low-cost contributors are essential to successful teams, and Kansas City has this duo signed for less than $4 million in 2024.

Cornerback

Between injuries and unmet expectations, the Bills' cornerback room has been underwhelming lately. Those issues paved the way for Christian Benford to emerge, though.

As a rookie in 2022, he made 24 tackles while giving up 8.3 yards per target. Benford had an interception and five pass defenses, surrendering one touchdown. Last year, he gathered 54 tackles, two picks, 10 PDs and two forced fumbles with 7.6 yards allowed per target and two scores.

Not bad for a sixth-round pick!

Darious Williams went undrafted in 2018 but developed into a quality starter for the Rams in 2020. He most recently played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and grabbed four interceptions with 6.2 yards per target.

Los Angeles brought him back this offseason, and Williams will be a pivotal piece of a new-look secondary.

Safety

The last position group features a pair of NFC defenders who always seem to be around the ball.

Camryn Bynum racked up a team-high 137 tackles for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. Additionally, he tallied three interceptions, nine pass defenses and two forced fumbles in the aggressive scheme.

Bynum, who's entering the final year of his contract, should be headed for a substantial pay raise this offseason.

And finally, the Philadelphia Eagles have uncovered a gem.

Reed Blankenship went undrafted in 2022, but he's rapidly become an unquestioned key on Philly's defense. The young safety totaled a team-best 113 stops last year, intercepting three passes and defending 11.