'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAICAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgASBxEhMQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQRAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERAAIDIkFx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCCva3pWCr+LMvDrdKWSepXcxOT0kEs6oUnCdTKoYlx+H3zN28bThKO67JVr6piooYMxejjjRplVFSZgAo7fAOOOTYt7XNm2OrkbKUQAl5P/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There are a lot of top players in the NFL, but not all of them are worth the hype they receive. Many players can be considered overrated after their 2022 seasons (for different reasons) and a few other players are primed to disappoint.
Status is fleeting in the NFL, and these stars could be in danger of losing theirs if they don't play well this year.
Here are five of the most overhyped NFL players ahead of the 2023 season:
#1 Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson is hyped by his massive contract and the few Cleveland Browns fans who may not care about his off-field issues. Nevertheless, this was a player the Browns gave it all to -- they sent a host of draft picks to the Houston Texans and gave him a $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
He returned from suspension last year and looked below average for the most part. He looked downright awful at times, showcasing that he's not the top NFL quarterback he once was.
His contract situation and past performances suggest he could be a great starter again, but that hype is well past what he can likely bring to the table at this stage of his career.
#2 Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs had an incredible year where he had a legitimate case for being the best running back in football. It was a contract year and he played out of his mind. He's currently under the franchise tag while he and the Las Vegas Raiders negotiate a long-term deal.
Replicating a 1,653-yard season (at 4.9 yards per carry, no less) was already going to be extremely difficult. Now that he (presumably) won't be playing for his next contract, the results will likely not stack up.
He earned the hype last season but his track record does not suggest a repeat effort is coming. Prior to last year, he had two seasons of 1,000 yards, so while the 2022 hype was warranted, the hype for 2023 is not.
#3 D'Andre Swift
D'Andre Swift was a highly touted prospect coming out of Georgia, but he hasn't panned out as expected yet. He has had some impressive games and he's always capable of making a big splash play, but it has become obvious as his career has gone on that the Detroit Lions don't trust him.
He ceded his starting role to Jamaal Williams, who went on to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns. By the end of the season, he was mostly an afterthought in the offense. The once dynamic player was reduced to giving Williams breathers and playing passing downs.
After Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints, it was believed that it might be Swift's time to shine. Not so, as the Lions turned around and brought in another workhorse in David Montgomery. Don't expect much from Swift this year.
#4 Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy took the NFL by storm in his rookie season. Thanks to injuries to both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, he was able to step in and lead the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. He's probably going to be the starter next season.
However, Purdy isn't deserving of all the hype. He played well, but it's awfully hard not to in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense. He had one of the easiest situations in the entire NFL -- throwing to George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk or handing off to McCaffrey or Samuel.
To his credit, he did look better than Lance did in limited action, but Shanahan has really never met a quarterback he couldn't make work, and that applies to Purdy as well. He was a seventh-round (Mr. Irrelevant) pick for a reason and he is being greatly overhyped at the moment.
#5 Derek Carr
Derek Carr played pretty poorly in 2022 and was benched for Jarrett Stidham towards the end of the season. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in the expectation that he'd get them back to the playoffs. Maybe the Saints will make it, since they are in a weak division, but it likely won't be Carr's excellent play that gets them there.
He previously played with Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams, two players he won't have in New Orleans. If Michael Thomas is healthy he can produce, but expecting Carr, who isn't getting any younger, to play like an elite NFL quarterback is a fool's errand.
