The naming of the NFL Pro Bowl rosters are one of the biggest contentious points each year with fans debating whether or not a player from their favorite team should have been in – with many having a legitimate point.
However, only a certain amount of players can make it into the roster each year, and several selections each year are liable to drop out, with many choosing not to play and others not having a choice to should they make it to the Super Bowl.
This year’s roster looks to as controversial as ever, with Patrick Mahomes missing out despite his two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs having a 15-1 record and the top seed in the AFFC secured with a game to spare. However, there are many players who are more deserving than Mahomes, who have also not been named.
Pro Bowl rosters in full as Patrick Mahomes misses out despite dominant Chiefs season
Below, we’ve put together the players who have legitimately been snubbed from making the roster while identifying the player who should be out for them to be included.
James Cook (Buffalo Bills, RB)
Cook has been nothing short of sensational this season, stepping up in a big way after the Bills lost Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Houston Texans. While he’s always been a capable receiving back, Cook has shown his abilities to carry the load as a workhorse back this year and has become the best red-zone weapon in football – leading the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns.
While Jonathan Taylor and Joe Mixon have had impressive seasons, it feels bizarre for the both over Cook when considering what they’ve achieved.
Swap we’d make: Jonathan Taylor for James Cook
Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks, DT)
Williams would legitimately be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year if the Seahawks’ offense had been able to keep them in games this year, with the veteran interior lineman putting in a dominant season.
The 30-year-old leads all interior lineman with 15 tackles for a loss, is fourth among all IDL in pass rush win rate and is joint-first in sacks across all players at the position (9). He also has a 92-yard pick-six after intercepting Aaron Rodgers. It’s a tough case to make that Williams is not deserving of a spot here over the likes of Jalen Carter and Vita Vea, who did make the roster.
Swap we’d make: Jalen Carter for Leonard Williams
Brian Thomas Jr (Jacksonville Jaguars, WR)
If Thomas Jr was not a rookie and had been playing for the Chiefs or Cowboys, he’d be a Pro Bowl starter, for sure. Unfortunately, he misses out on the list in what is a loaded AFC roster of receivers.
However, Thomas Jr has more catches, receiving yards, touchdowns and yards after the catch than Zay Flowers, who operates in a much better offensive unit with an MVP caliber quarterback.
Swap we’d make: Zay Flowers for Brian Thomas Jr
Trent McDuffie (Kansas City Chiefs, CB)
While many have taken to social media complaining that Mahomes should have been on, the bigger snub on the Chiefs was McDuffie – one of the more underappreciated defensive players in the league.
McDuffie’s coverage skills have been far superior than a few to have made the roster, ranking higher than Marlon Humphrey, who has been a part of the Ravens’ suspect passing defense.
Swap we’d make: Marlon Humphrey for Trent McDuffie
Kerby Joseph (Detroit Lions, S)
Joseph won’t be in consideration, but he legitimately should be a contender for Defensive Player of the Year award. Not only does he lead all players in the NFL with nine interceptions this year, his 39.9 passer rating allowed is the lowest in the league.
Budda Baker is an incredible do-it-all player for the Cardinals and is truly the quarterback of their defensive, but his numbers and advanced metrics are not even close to Joseph’s.
Swap we’d make: Budda Baker for Kerby Joseph
Danielle Hunter (Houston Texans, EDGE)
Perhaps the most loaded position in the AFC, Hunter will have just missed out with three legitimate superstars behind ahead of him in Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby.
But the latter of those three has four less sacks than Hunter, while having a significantly worse pass-rush win-rate.
Swap we’d make: Maxx Crosby for Danielle Hunter
Daiyan Henley (Los Angeles Chargers, LB)
Unfortunately for off-ball linebackers, the Pro Bowl nods seemingly always fall to the players with the most tackles in the league rather than to the guys who have had the better season.
Yes, Franklin has had more tackles than Henley, but the Chargers linebacker has been better in his run-fits, pass coverage and blitzing. Los Angeles look to have find a real gem in their mike linebacker.
Swap we’d make: Zaire Franklin for Daiyan Henley
Christian Gonzalez (New England Patriots, CB)
Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington recently named Gonzalez the best cornerback in the league, and he might genuinely have a case. Since entering the league in the same draft class, Gonzalez has been nothing short of a lockdown corner and should be considered alongside the likes of Patrick Surtain, Jaylen Johnson and Devon Witherspoon.
Gonzalez is certainly more deserving of making it in over Denzel Ward who has had stretches of poor play this season while being a liability as a run defender.
Swap we’d make: Denzel Ward for Christian Gonzalez
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