Most underrated NFL players at each position

#8 Interior defensive lineman – D.J. Reader

Interior defensive line is a position that doesn’t get a lot of recognition outside of superstars like Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox, but this guy is on a different level of being forgotten about. As far as 3-4 defensive linemen go, who primarily play in-between the guards, D.J. Reader is one of very best at his job.

Numbers will never tell the whole story with a guy like him because he keeps his linebackers clean in the run game by occupying blockers and doesn’t put up huge sack numbers. However, at close to 350 pounds, Reader is outstanding at two-gapping solo blockers or torquing his body to withstand double-teams, as well as riding down the line on zone-runs and either reaching out for the ball-carrier or forcing a cutback.

While he will never be an elite pass rusher at his size, Reader has really improved his value to the team by moving around on passing downs and creating push by bull-rushing his man back into the quarterback’s lap or landing a quick swipe to clear his blocker instantly. That has led to a career-high 2.5 sacks and he has been in the middle of several other collisions at the opposing quarterback.

With J.J. Watt out since week eight, the big man leads all Texans D-linemen with over 60 percent of the defensive snaps. The 25-year-old has also been a big reason why the Houston defense has at least found a way to remain average despite being without their three-time Defensive Player of the Year and being banged up in the secondary all season long.

Honorable mentions: Derek Wolfe, Larry Ogunjobi, and Michael Pierce