Is Tim Tebow the most overrated player in the NFL? Yes, according to a Sports Illustrated poll released this week involving 180 players.

Tebow was voted “most overrated” by a significant margin, garnering 34 percent of the vote. It’s hard to argue with NFL players on this one. I think they are absolutely correct.

Tebow is not a franchise quarterback. He’s not even a starter this year. Tebow is an average NFL player who gets as much (or more) media coverage as elite players like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

The Tebow phenomenon is hard to explain. He has quickly become one of the most popular and polarizing athletes in sports. Tebow has thrown for 32 yards and rushed for 76 yards in seven games this season. He’s made little impact in New York since the much-hyped offseason trade with the Denver Broncos.

This is not to say Tebow does not belong in the NFL. He has certain skills — such as strength, work ethic and the ability to run the ball — that can help a team. Tebow is not a bad player. He’s just not a great one.

The players’ vote was more about unjustified hype than anything else. Moving to the New York media market certainly adds to the hype, as evident by Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez finishing second in this poll.

Tebow doesn’t ask for all this attention and coverage. But he certainly gets it, and it is obvious the players who face Tebow on a weekly basis have taken notice.

ESPN