Most underrated NFL players at each position

#9 Outside linebacker – Matt Milano

Here we have another unsung hero from that stingy Buffalo defense. Obviously, I have remained a big fan of Tremaine Edmunds in the middle of that unit, but he was a first-round pick and at least stands out with his unique size, but a fifth-round linebacker from Boston College who was labeled as undersized going into the draft process, just won’t get the recognition he deserves if sports media doesn’t give it to him. And those guys rarely come through.

Matt Milano has now reached exactly 100 combined tackles and is an excellent run-defender when it comes to twisting his body to search through traffic or playing assignment-based football, but what makes him special in my opinion is his work in coverage. In Sean McDermott’s scheme, there are a bunch installs and wrinkles to counter against the staples of the opposing passing game and make quarterbacks hold the ball against them.

Edmunds is a great fit for that sinking backer in the middle in Tampa-2 because of his length, while Milano does a nice job taking away easy throws into the flats or carrying guys down the seams to complement their safeties. He hasn’t picked off any passes this season compared to his three INTs last year, but he has once again deflected nine passes and simply done his job.

The coaches also don’t shy away from putting the versatile young defender one-on-one with tight-ends as the single receiver to one side in a 3-by-1 set or shadowing guys out of the backfield. Last year that led to the lowest passer rating allowed into coverage at the position. He is a major contributor for the number two scoring defense with over 90 percent of the snaps taken.

Honorable mentions: Demario Davis, Lavonte David, and Jamie Collins