NFL Network analyst Tom Blair recently listed the NFL’s most underappreciated players. He went team by team and picked one player from each team. For the Lions he selected linebacker Alex Anzalone. Here’s what he had to say:
“I thought I would end up naming more linebackers to this list, given the stat-sheet-stuffing nature of the position, but I made it all the way to the Ds before selecting Anzalone, whom teammate Alim McNeill described as the “LeBron” of the Lions’ defense while attempting to illustrate how much Anzalone does for Detroit. It might seem that being compared to one of the greatest NBA players of all time would be a sign of sufficient appreciation. Then again, if Anzalone were truly fully appreciated, would McNeill feel the need to evangelize that hard? Anzalone paced Detroit in tackles (129) while chipping in three sacks and six passes defensed last season. He’s also clearly morphed into a leader for a team cementing itself among the NFL’s top contenders.”
It’s hard to argue with his selection of Anzalone. He had the best season of his career in 2023 and he still felt a bit overlooked in the grand scheme of the NFL. Anzalone definitely deserves his spot on the list, but are there other players on this Detroit team that are super underappreciated nationally? Yes there is. We have three to name.
Graham Glasgow
You always hear about how good the Detroit Lions offensive line is. When you’re hearing about that you often hear praise for Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker. The praise is much deserved. They’re tremendously good players. But Glasgow is too.
He was one of the leagues best guards in 2023 and he did that after having struggles in Denver and then earning a starting spot in here. Pro Football Focus had him graded out as their ninth best guard of the 2023 season.
Glasgow played three positions in 2023. He played right guard, left guard and center. He was able to move all around and, for the most part, the line didn’t miss a beat. He’s worthy of some national praise.
David Montgomery
Jahmyr Gibbs is amazing and his future is very bright. There is no doubt about that. The amazement might have made everyone ignore how good David Montgomery was in 2023 though.
Montgomery missed three games in 2023 and he still managed to finish ninth in the NFL in rushing yards and fifth in touchdowns. Just imagine what he might have been able to do had he not missed that time. He might have finished in the top five of the league.
So it’s weird when people talk about the Lions offense and don’t talk about Montgomery.
Kindle Vildor
Yeah, I’m seriously including Kindle Vildor. Here’s the thing, he had a bad moment in the NFC Championship game when the ball bounced off his face mask and into the hands of Brandon Aiyuk.
Other than that, Vildor was pretty good for what he was asked to do. Which was come in and start at cornerback for a team trying to make it to the Super Bowl. after playing for two other teams that year.
There’s a reason the team brought this guy back and it’s becasue he has a chance to be a solid and reliable depth guy in this team. Vildor could be what the Lions always hoped Will Harris would be.