Two former Wisconsin Badgers land on PFF's list of the NFL's most underrated players
A pair of Wisconsin Badger linebackers appeared on ProFootballFocus' recent list of the NFL's most underrated players entering 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, a three-year Badger from 2020-22, and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, who donned the scarlet and red with Herbig from 2020-21, earned a spot on the outlet's preseason list.
Chenal, who boasts a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs, has posted 160 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, five sacks and three forced fumbles in three NFL seasons. In 17 appearances during the 2024 campaign, the Wisconsin native turned in 60 tackles (40 solo), three pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
On a team with stars including Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie and Nick Bolton, Chenal can be overlooked. Here's PFF's analysis of the former Badger's significance within the championship-caliber defensive unit.
"Chenal has a very specific role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, operating as an early-down/run-defending specialist and playing just 26% of the team's possible third- and fourth-down snaps since 2023.
Chenal has thrived in that early-down role, earning the third-best PFF run-defense grade (91.3) at his position since 2023, behind only Bobby Wagner (94.1) and Fred Warner (92.1). He has done this by engineering back-to-back seasons with top-four marks as a run defender, and as he enters a contract year, he should continue to be a key member of the Chiefs' run-defense unit."
Herbig, a first-team All-Big Ten team member in 2022, captured the most underrated designation for the Steelers. The Hawaii product proved his worth during a dominant preseason last year, leading to a career-best five starts during the regular season.
In 13 total appearances, Herbig logged 22 total tackles (13 solo), 11 quarterback hits, 5 1/2 sacks, five tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. His most dominant performance arrived in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a game in which the defender accounted for three tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.
Like Chenal, Herbig won't draw the most attention in his defensive unit. His worth, however, is invaluable. Here's PFF's assessment.
"Herbig isn't going to get the same recognition as T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith along the Steelers' defensive line, and part of that has to do with his much lower snap share, but it's worth noting how well he has performed when he is given an opportunity.
Since 2022, Herbig owns a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks seventh among all edge defenders with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. With Watt and Highsmith occasionally missing time due to injury, having a high-end pass rusher like Herbig waiting in the wings is a very underrated and valuable option that not many teams have the luxury of."
Chenal's Chiefs begin the season on Sept. 5 against the Chargers, while Herbig's Steelers square off against the New York Jets in Week 1 on Sept. 7.
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