Names like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees should sound pretty familiar to the casual fan. Why shouldn’t they? They are four of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. However, if you mention the name of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to a casual soccer fan, they might give you a puzzled look. If this is the case, you shouldn’t be surprised, as Schaub is one of the most underrated players in the NFL.

Matt Schaub was part of the 2004 draft class, rich in quarterbacks. The Atlanta Falcons selected him with the 90th overall pick in the third round. He would play in six games for the Falcons during his rookie season and was used primarily as a second quarterback and as a starter for field goals and extra points.

He would have the first start of his career during the 2005 season when the Falcons faced the New England Patriots. He would continue to have a great game after throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, but they would lose the game with the final score of 31-28. Schaub was still primarily used as a starter for extra points and field goals for the duration of his sting with the Falcons. In 2007, he was traded to the Houston Texans.

This would be a beneficial trade for Schaub, as the Texans also released disappointing quarterback David Carr on the same day. This opened the door for Schaub to become the team’s long-term starter. Schaub would prove his worth for the Texans by accumulating 220 passing yards and a 70% completion rate during the first two games of the 2007 season.

Schaub has helped the team improve significantly since landing the starting position for the Texans. The franchise would have its most successful season to date in 2011 when Schaub helped guide them to a 7-3 start after 10 weeks. But he would be injured during the regular season and would be replaced by backup Matt Leinart.

But even though the Texans would be eliminated in the second round of the 2011 playoffs, many fans had already grown to love and respect Schaub’s game. He may not be in the same league as Peyton, Rodgers, Brady or Brees, but he has definitely shown that he is not your average quarterback who really belongs in the NFL.