FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- A few weeks ago in the New England Patriots' locker room, a casual discussion was struck with linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who is one of the team’s more introspective players. The topic: Underrated players in the NFL who might deserve more media attention.

One of Van Noy’s former teammates with the Detroit Lions, linebacker DeAndre Levy, was viewed as a solid example of a player who might fall into that category.

Using that conversation as a springboard, and on the day of the week when NFL power rankings are released, here are my Patriots-focused power rankings of the team’s players who might deserve more of the media spotlight:

1. OT LaAdrian Waddle: The fifth-year veteran played his most extended snaps in almost two years in Sunday’s win over the Texans and at times was matched up with J.J. Watt. While Watt got the better of him at times (swim move on the second offensive play), Waddle held up to the challenge for the most part, especially on the final drive. Watt will make plays on even the best offensive tackles in the game, but Waddle was mostly up to task against one of the NFL's best players.

2. LB Elandon Roberts: It’s always easier to say it in hindsight, but the 2016 sixth-round draft choice from Houston could have helped the team in the season-opening loss against the Chiefs when he played only nine snaps because it was a dime game (six defensive backs, one linebacker). He’s been more involved the last two weeks and brings a physical edge and energy to the middle.

3. DL Lawrence Guy: The free-agent signing from the Ravens is doing a lot of the dirty work at the line of scrimmage. At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, he’s a no-frills type of player in the mold of former Patriot Ty Warren. It was no surprise he was in on the critical third-and-1 stop to get the ball back to Tom Brady and the offense for the game-winning drive.

4. TE Jacob Hollister: The undrafted rookie tight end from Wyoming has played 23 snaps over the last two games after being inactive for the opener, and his toughness to hold on to the football on a 17-yard catch in the third quarter while taking a big hit was impressive. We also saw that in the preseason opener against the Jaguars. Hollister’s immersion into the offense has opened up opportunities to run more three-tight end sets.

5. ST Johnson Bademosi: The Patriots have been without special teams captain Matthew Slater for the first three games because of a hamstring injury, and Bademosi has helped fill the void with some strong work as a gunner on the punt coverage team. He had two special teams tackles against the Texans.