Polian's two most underrated offensive players are former 49ers

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Editor's note: The above video is from October 2013.

Bill Polian, the six-time NFL Executive of the Year, offered high praise to two former 49ers on Tuesday.

According to Polian, Delanie Walker is the second most underrated offensive player in the NFL.

"He was the offense for Marcus Mariota. He was the guy," Polian said of Walker on ESPN's "NFL Live." And it's amazing when there's so little talent surrounding him that he gets that many catches. But he gets open and he does a great job."

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Walker played for the 49ers from 2006 to 2012. Over seven seasons, he appeared in 99 games (40 starts) and caught 123 passes for 1,465 yards and eight touchdowns.

He signed with the Titans in 2013 and after registering 60 and 63 receptions in his first two seasons in Tennessee respectively, Walker racked up 94 catches for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns last season.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl.

No. 1 on Polian's list? Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.

"People don't put him in the upper echelon of quarterbacks," Polian said.

Why?

"Don't know," Polian answered. "He's 30-16 with the Kansas City Chiefs. That's pretty darn good. He can throw the ball. He can run it. He's had very little receiving talent with him until last year. That's getting better. But he wins, nonetheless."

Through eight plus games in 2012, Smith had completed over 70 percent of his passes to go along with 13 touchdowns against five interceptions.

[REWIND: Alex Smith 'shocked' by Kaepernick developments]

He was concussed in the 49ers' ninth game of the season and was ultimately benched in favor of Colin Kaepernick.

In early 2013, San Francisco traded Smith to Kansas City, and the former No. 1 overall pick led the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2013 and 2015.

"Very resourceful. Very smart," Polian said about Smith. "A guy that I think with an addition of receiving talent, you might see him rise to the top of the charts."

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