Latest news with #underrated players
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pro Football Focus: Two Jets' offensive linemen named ‘most underrated'
Football is the ultimate team sport, which is why several NFL players who deserve household-name recognition will instead languish in obscurity if their team isn't winning. This is especially true for offensive linemen, who already lack the kind of acknowledgement that their teammates get. One NFL analyst wants to highlight some of these players from losing teams. Zoltan Buday from Pro Football Focus compiled a list of the two most underrated players at each offensive line position, and the New York Jets were featured twice: left guard John Simpson, entering just his second season with the Jets, and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. Regarding Simpson, whose breakout year in 2024 went overlooked due to the Jets' overall dysfunction, Buday writes, 'Across his first four seasons in the league, Simpson earned a positive grade on just 12.0% of run plays and a negative grade on 18.0% of run plays. He turned the tables in 2024, garnering a positive grade on 22.2% of run plays and a negative on only 16.9% of run plays. His 79.2 PFF run-blocking grade ranked eighth among all guards, while his 77.3 PFF overall grade ranked 11th at the position.' As for Vera-Tucker, Buday notes that injuries limited him in much of 2022 and 2023, leading to a comeback year in 2024. 'Vera-Tucker logged only 682 snaps in his second and third seasons in the NFL but was back to his best in 2024, playing 916 snaps on offense and earning a career-high 77.7 PFF overall grade, which ranked 10th among 77 qualifying guards. The USC product finished 12th among guards in PFF pass-blocking grade (74.5) and PFF run-blocking grade (76.3).' Amazingly, Simpson and Vera-Tucker may not even be New York's highest upside offensive linemen. Joe Tippmann shook off a rough rookie year in 2023 and now looks primed for a Year 3 leap. Olu Fashanu and rookie Armand Membou could likewise end up being one of the league's premier tackle duos. The Jets are going to need a career year out of their O-line in 2025 if they're going to have a chance of winning. Quarterback Justin Fields has historically struggled with holding onto the ball too long and will struggle if not given above-average protection. As for the running game, Breece Hall is aiming on a bounce back season but will struggle to do that without decent running lanes. If all goes well in 2025, the Jets should be back to their winning ways and Simpson, Vera-Tucker, and the rest of the crew will finally get the recognition they deserve.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees To Trade for Jose Ramirez? Top Reporter Makes Huge Deadline Prediction
Could the New York Yankees make a blockbuster trade for one of the most underrated players in MLB, Jose Ramirez? A top team insider thinks so. 'Outbid by the Mets for Suarez, a desperate Cashman swallows hard and sends a big package, including Spencer Jones, to get a difference-maker at third base in Ramirez, the Guardians' perennial All-Star,' SNY MLB insider Jon Harper wrote in a predictions piece today. Related: Jose Ramirez stats (2025): .295 AVG, .363 OBP, .506 SLG, .869 OBP, 18 HR, 50 RBI, 54 R 'As beloved as Ramirez is in Cleveland, he turns 33 in September, with three more years on his contract. And with the Guardians going nowhere this season, they may see this as a chance to reload,' he added. 'Depending on how highly they regard Jones, the Yankees' power-hitting outfield prospect.' Harper added that Ramirez has a no-trade clause in his contract. However, he assumes, like any star player, that waving it for the chance to play for the Pinstripes and in a pennant race will be an easy decision. The New York Yankees' cost to trade for Jose Ramirez The Yankees have been looking for an upgrade at third all year. First, Oswaldo Cabrera was doing a solid job in the role, but a serious ankle injury likely ended his season. Then, DJ LeMahieu was unable to fill the spot and was so disappointing that he was released earlier this month. Ramirez would be a massive upgrade. While he didn't get All-Star honors again this season, he is having another big year and is on pace to hit over 30 homers and knock in 100 RBIs. Oddly enough, he has been a Yankees killer in the playoffs during his career. Not having to worry about seeing him in the postseason again would also be nice. Jose Ramirez contract: Seven years, $141 million Harper built his trade proposal on the Yanks giving up stud prospect Spencer Jones. However, various reports over the last year suggest mixed opinions about him around the league. To give up the six-time All-Star, there is a good chance the Guardians will want top prospect George Lombard. He is also 34th overall in the league on If New York is unwilling to part with him, then Jones would be just one of the big prospects in an offer. The package likely would also include pitcher Bryce Cunningham (No. 4 in the system), big league shortstop Anthony Volpe (depending on how Cleveland values him), and one more top 50 prospect. Related: Related Headlines Baltimore Orioles listening to trades for Trevor Rogers, Felix Bautista NASCAR: Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of 2025 Season So Far Speculation Grows Alex Pereira Moving to UFC Heavyweight Division: 5 Perfect Debut Opponents, Including Derrick Lewis Shane Gillis Tricks ESPYs Crowd with Fake WNBA Star Joke, League Likely Unamused
