Like any sport, the playoffs are a big time of year for the NFL and football collectors. With every game nationally televised over a 6 week timeframe, any and every great performance can lead to huge increases in value. If the player plays in or wins the Super Bowl, look out! Buying in now can be a recipe for success or disaster based on what happens over the next two months. Here are some thoughts.

CJ Anderson – Denver Broncos

If you have watched the games as of late, you probably wouldnt recognize what the team looks like. What used to be a pass heavy team has all of a sudden become a running machine, with CJ Anderson taking the bulk of the carries. His cards are so cheap right now, it almost is a no-brainer to buy a few just in case he breaks out. If not, you are only out minimal amounts of money.

2013 National Treasures CJ Anderson Auto RC /49

2013 Contenders CJ Anderson Auto Ticket RC

2013 Black CJ Anderson Auto RC Base

Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers

This guy. Seriously made a mockery of my favorite team over the last few years, and I hate him for it. But he remains one of the best WRs in the game, and he is beyond underrated in the hobby. It hurts a bit that the rookie year he came out was a disaster for good looking cards, but his production should net him much more attention than he gets. If his personality were more like Dez Bryant, we might not be having this conversation. Alas, he is a quiet guy, so no one really sees him as a star.

2008 Exquisite Jordy Nelson Auto Rookie Patch

2008 Topps Chrome Jordy Nelson Auto RC

2014 Flawless Jordy Nelson Auto Emerald /5

DeMarco Murray – Dallas Cowboys

Hard to say that Murray is under the radar, but hobby wise, he remains an easy pickup. Although he only has one truly amazing season under his belt, he is primed to be a great player for years to come with the line he has in front of him. The only issue is that the Cowboys have been known to implode this time of year, but this time it LOOKS different. The word “looks” is the key part of that sentence in case the caps lock didnt do it for you.

2014 Flawless DeMarco Murray Jumbo Patch Auto

2012 National Treasures Virtuoso DeMarco Murray Auto

2011 Topps Chrome Demarco Murray Auto RC

TY Hilton – Indianapolis Colts

If anyone deserves credit for a monster season, its him, as his numbers are quite impressive. Although he is out with a hammy right now, he will be good come wild card weekend. Im guessing he wont play if Denver seals the bye tonight, but you never know. His cards are dirt cheap, which is really odd all things considered.

2012 Topps Finest TY Hilton Auto RC Refractor

2012 Topps Strata TY Hilton Auto Clear Cut Relic

Le’Veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers

Tough to put a player like this on a list of underrated players, but he really is just that. The Steelers may have an immense fan base, but RBs are dead in this hobby. Bell has been among the top backs in the league all year, and with a big performance in the playoffs, he might finally get close to the value he should get.

2013 National Treasures Le'Veon Bell Auto Jumbo Patch Colossal

2013 National Treasures Le'Veon Bell Auto Rookie Patch /49

Emmanuel Sanders – Denver Broncos

I never thought I would be saying that Sanders could be the key to a Broncos victory, but he has produced like never before with Manning throwing him the ball. He was basically cast aside by the Steelers when the Broncos made him a big offer, and Denver is reaping the benefit. He has had some ridiculous games this year.

2010 Topps Prime Emmanuel Sanders Six Piece Booklet Auto

2010 Topps Five Star Emmanuel Sanders Auto Inscription

Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers

Another Steelers player with a mammoth year under his belt. Like most WR in this hobby, he gets about half the love he deserves, as his production is at or near the top of every important category. He was overshadowed by Mike Wallace during his first few years, but since Wallace left, Brown has broken out. This year could be a defining moment for his career.

2014 Topps Antonio Brown Auto Variation SP

2014 Flawless Antonio Brown Auto Ruby Parallel

I am very excited to see what happens this year, as I think there is a lot of potential. Im still sad for the hobby that Odell Beckham Jr is going to be watching from his couch, but I digress. Hopefully we get a nice performance out of some of these guys and we wont have to worry about it!