The Super Bowl matchup has been set as the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots get ready to square off next Sunday in Atlanta. Even though those teams will have an extra week to prepare, it doesn’t mean fans will have to go without football this coming Sunday as the stars of the NFL meet in sunny Orlando, Florida for the Pro Bowl, a showcase of the best of the best, though who exactly makes the cut (or doesn’t) is usually a point of contention each year.
AFC Roster Best Players
The AFC roster is led by seven players from the Los Angeles Chargers and six players each from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Tom Brady was named to his 14th Pro Bowl, which ties him for the most appearances all time, but there are some new faces as well with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes named to his first appearance in his first season as the starter. The backfield will also feature some new faces with Pittsburgh’s James Conner leading the way after putting together a stellar season in the place of an absent Le’Veon Bell.
- QB: Patrick Mahomes (KC), Philip Rivers (LAC)
- RB: James Conner (PIT), Melvin Gordon (LAC), Phillip Lindsey (DEN)
- WR: DeAndre Hopkins (HOU), Tyreek Hill (KC), Antonio Brown (PIT), Keenan Allen (LAC), JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT)
- TE: Travis Kelce (KC), Eric Ebron (IND)
- OT: Taylor Lewan (TEN), Alejandro Villanueva (PIT), Eric Fisher (KC)
- OG: David DeCastro (PIT), Marshal Yanda (BAL), Quenton Nelson (IND)
- C: Maurkice Pouncey (PIT), Mike Pouncey (LAC)
- DE: J.J. Watt (HOU), Myles Garrett (CLE), Melvin Ingram (LAC)
- DT: Geno Atkins (CIN), Jurrell Casey (TEN), Cameron Heyward (PIT), Kyle Williams (BUF)
- OLB: Von Miller (DEN), Jadeveon Clowney (HOU), Dee Ford (KC)
- ILB: C.J. Mosley (BAL), Benardrick McKinney (HOU)
- CB: Xavien Howard (MIA), Jalen Ramsey (JAX), Stephon Gilmore (NE), Denzel Ward (CLE)
- FS: Derwin James (LAC), Eric Weddle (BAL)
- SS: Jamal Adams (NYJ)
- K: Jason Myers (NYJ)
- P: Brett Kern (TEN)
- RS: Andre Roberts (NYJ)
- ST: Adrian Phillips (LAC)
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AFC Roster Snubs
It’s hard to argue against many of the players included on the Pro Bowl roster, but there are several players who won’t be taking the field in Orlando who have a pretty good case to be there. Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker Darius Leonard has put together a solid season and is one of the favorites to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award as he helped lead the turnaround in Indianapolis. The Raiders are not sending any players to the Pro Bowl, which is understandable when looking at their record, but when you look at the individual performance of tight end Jared Cook, who is fourth among tight ends this season in receiving yards and was a bright spot for Raiders fans, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Cook deserved a spot on the roster. Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones has also put together a stellar season and his stats (14 sacks) are better than some of the other defensive lineman selected for the AFC.
NFC Roster Best Players
The NFC may be led by one of the most stacked backfields in the Pro Bowl, with Giants rookie Saquon Barkley, Cowboys running back and this season’s rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott and Super Bowl-bound Todd Gurley all selected to the showcase. Both Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are back in the Pro Bowl and both will have some of their weapons joining them with Saints receiver Michael Thomas and Packers receiver Davante Adams both receiving nods. Tight end George Kittle also makes his first appearance after establishing himself as one of the league’s rising stars at the position.
- QB: Drew Brees (NO), Jared Goff (LAR), Aaron Rodgers (GB)
- RB: Todd Gurley (LAR), Ezekiel Elliott (DAL), Saquon Barkley (NYG)
- WR: Julio Jones (ATL), Michael Thomas (NO), Adam Thielen (MIN), Davante Adams (GB), Mike Evans (TB)
- TE: Zach Ertz (PHI), George Kittle (SF)
- OT: Tyron Smith (DAL), Terron Armstead (NO), Trent Williams (WAS)
- OG: Zack Martin (DAL), Brandon Brooks (PHI), Trai Turner (CAR)
- C: Alex Mack (ATL), Max Unger (NO)
- DE: Cameron Jordan (NO), Demarcus Lawrence (DAL), Danielle Hunter (MIN)
- DT: Aaron Donald (LAR), Fletcher Cox (PHI), Akiem Hicks (CHI)
- OLB: Khalil Mack (CHI), Ryan Kerrigan (WAS), Anthony Barr (MIN), Olivier Vernon (NYG)
- ILB: Luke Kuechly (CAR). Bobby Wagner (SEA)
- CB: Kyle Fuller (CHI), Patrick Peterson (ARI), Darius Slay (DET), Byron Jones (DAL)
- FS: Eddie Jackson (CHI), Harrison Smith (MIN)
- SS: Landon Collins (NYG)
- K: Aldrick Rosas (NYG)
- P: Michael Dickson (SEA)
- RS: Tarik Cohen (CHI)
- ST: Cory Littleton (LAR)
NFC Roster Snubs
When you have a backfield as loaded as the NFC’s, there are going to be many very qualified running backs who are going to be left out. That’s the case with Panthers running back and do-it-all man Christian McCaffrey and Saints running back Alvin Kamara, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them take over Gurley’s spot. Cowboys rookie Leighton Vander Esch should also warrant some serious consideration when it comes to the linebacker spot after proving why he was a first-round draft pick despite not playing 11-on-11 football until arriving at Boise State.
