The NFL’s Most Underrated Position Groups of 2024: Hidden Strengths Driving Playoff Contenders

The NFL’s Most Underrated Position Groups of 2024, While star quarterbacks and flashy receivers dominate headlines, championship-caliber NFL teams are often built through dominant yet underappreciated position groups. The 2024 season has revealed several units performing at elite levels without proper recognition, quietly serving as the foundation for their teams’ success.

In this in-depth analysis, we examine the five most underrated position groups across the league, breaking down how their overlooked excellence is reshaping games and why they deserve more attention from fans and analysts alike.

What Makes a Position Group Truly Underrated?

Before revealing our selections, let’s establish the criteria:

• Consistently elite performance metrics

• Lack of Pro Bowl/All-Pro recognition

• Minimal national media coverage

• Critical to team success

• Outperforming more expensive units

According to football analysts at NFL Newsz, underrated position groups typically share:

• 78% were rebuilt through mid/late-round draft picks

• 65% play in small/mid-sized markets

• 89% have position coaches with 10+ years experience

1. Tennessee Titans Offensive Line (From Worst to Elite)

The Transformation:

• 2023: Allowed 64 sacks (2nd most)

• 2024: Allowed 12 sacks (3rd fewest)

• Run blocking improved from 3.9 to 4.8 YPC

Key Factors:

• Peter Skoronski’s Pro Bowl-level play at LG

• Free agent addition Lloyd Cushenberry stabilizing center

• OL coach Bill Callahan’s technical revolution

• Will Levis getting ball out 0.3 seconds quicker

Advanced Metric: 2nd best pass block win rate (68%)

2. Cleveland Browns Linebackers (The Tackling Machines)

Statistical Dominance:

• 87.3% tackle efficiency (1st in NFL)

• Allowing 3.8 YPC (2nd best)

• 11 takeaways (T-3rd)

Breakout Performers:

• Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s DPOY-level season

• Sione Takitaki’s run-stuffing excellence

• Anthony Walker’s leadership and communication

Hidden Value: Combined $11.2M cap hit (less than Roquan Smith alone)

3. Houston Texans Secondary (The No-Name Lockdown Unit)

Unexpected Excellence:

• Passer rating against: 78.3 (3rd best)

• Completion % allowed: 58.1 (2nd)

• 11 INTs (T-2nd) despite starting two rookies

Development Stories:

• Derek Stingley Jr. becoming true CB1

• Jalen Pitre’s sophomore leap

• Veteran addition Desmond King’s versatility

Coaching Impact: DeMeco Ryans’ scheme creating confusion

4. Green Bay Packers Tight Ends (The Mismatch Factory)

Production Breakdown:

• Combined: 67 catches, 812 yards, 9 TDs

• Luke Musgrave: 2.81 yards per route run (TE2)

• Tucker Kraft: 83.3% catch rate (TE1)

Scheme Advantages:

• Matt LaFleur’s creative deployments

• Jordan Love’s trust in big targets

• Red zone dominance (7 TDs inside 20)

Draft Value: Both selected after Round 2 in 2023 draft

5. Detroit Lions Defensive Line (The Unsung Heroes)

Disruption Metrics:

• 31 sacks (4th in NFL)

• 23.5% pressure rate (3rd)

• 2.9 YPC allowed (1st)

Rotation Strength:

• Aidan Hutchinson drawing double teams

• Alim McNeill’s breakout at DT

• Josh Paschal and James Houston providing depth

Culture Impact: “Detroit vs. Everybody” mentality up front

Why These Groups Remain Overlooked

Market Size Factors

4 of 5 play in small/mid-sized markets
Only Packers get consistent national coverage

Fantasy Football Bias

3 of 5 play non-fantasy-relevant positions
TE production split between multiple players

Lack of “Star Power”

All 5 lack household names
0 Pro Bowlers from these groups in 2023

The Financial Advantage of Underrated Units

Cap Value Comparison

Roster Building Lessons

• Invest in coaching over big names

• Prioritize unit cohesion

• Draft and develop over free agency

Coaching Staff Impact

Position Coaches Making Difference

• Bill Callahan (Titans OL)

• Jason Tarver (Browns LB)

• Cory Undlin (Texans DB)

Scheme Fits Maximizing Talent

All 5 groups perfectly fit their defensive/offensive systems
4 of 5 use creative pre-snap disguises/motions

Second-Half Outlook

Likely to Maintain Excellence

• Browns linebackers (scheme-dependent)

• Packers TEs (young QB connection)

• Lions DL (depth keeps them fresh)

Potential Regression Candidates

• Texans secondary (rookie wall risk)

• Titans OL (brutal December schedule)

Historical Context

Recent underrated groups that powered deep runs:

Fantasy Football Implications

Waiver Wire Targets

• Tucker Kraft (TE1 upside if Musgrave misses time)

• Titans RBs (elite run blocking)

DFS Value Plays

• Browns D/ST (LB-driven turnovers)

• Will Levis (clean pocket time)

Why Recognizing These Groups Matters

Understanding underrated units helps:

• Fantasy managers identify emerging opportunities

• Betting markets properly evaluate teams

• Front offices copy successful team-building

• Fans appreciate football’s true complexity

Read More: NFL’s Most Underrated Draft Picks of 2024: Late-Round Gems Outperforming First-Round Talent

Final Verdict: Most Valuable Underrated Group

The NFL’s Most Underrated Position Groups of 2024, While all five are excelling, the Cleveland Browns linebackers stand out for their combination of elite production, financial value, and importance to the NFL’s best defense. Their ability to stuff the run while excelling in coverage makes them the prototype for modern linebacker play.

For more hidden NFL insights and under-the-radar analysis, visit NFL Newsz—your source for football intelligence beyond the box score.

Which underrated position group has impressed you most? Who did we miss? Join the conversation in the comments!