The rosters for the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl were revealed on Wednesday night, but there are always a few players who don’t make the cut.
The majority of players are chosen as a result of outstanding seasons. Other players are sometimes chosen based on their reputation in the league rather than their performance.
And several others are simply left out, making Pro Bowl omissions one of the year’s hottest talking points among players and fans.
McCaffery, the most obvious omission this season, is fifth in the NFL with 1,550 yards from scrimmage, and he’s the only player in the NFL ranked 1-7 in that category who isn’t a Pro Bowl selection.
Maybe playing for two teams hurt McCaffrey’s bid? McCaffrey has transformed his new team’s offence since leaving the Carolina Panthers for the San Francisco 49ers, and the 49ers are currently third in the NFC playoff race.
Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback of the Miami Dolphins
No player in the NFL received more Pro Bowl votes than the Dolphins’ quarterback, but Tagovailoa was left out of the AFC quarterbacks.
Tagovailoa possesses the credentials, as he leads the NFL in quarterback rating, touchdown percentage, and yards per attempt, while ranking second in QBR.
Instead, the award went to Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals. With all three teams ranked in the top three in the AFC playoff race, each player deserved to be chosen.
Ekeler’s 1,324 yards from scrimmage rank eighth among all NFL players, and he shares the league lead with 14 total touchdowns this season with Detroit’s Jamaal Williams.
Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans is a mainstay, Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns has had a strong start to the season, and Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders has been a breakout star. However, Ekeler was certainly deserving of consideration.
Other Eagles deserved to be considered.
The Eagles led the NFL with eight Pro Bowlers, but these four players have also contributed to the team’s defence.
defender (cornerback) James Bradberry is one of the best cover guys in the league, with 14 pass deflections (second in the NFL) and a 42.8 passer rating when opposing quarterbacks target him.
This season, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has 10 sacks, while defensive end Josh Sweat has 9.5. With 12 sacks, their teammate Haason Reddick earned the honour.
LB for the Pittsburgh Steelers Highsmith, Alex
Highsmith is the only player not selected to the Pro Bowl who has at least 11 sacks this season. He also has the most forced fumbles in the NFL this season, with five.
Highsmith has shone in a season in which teammate and reigning defensive player of the year J.J. Watt missed significant time with an injury but still made the Pro Bowl.
Among other Detroit Lions, Amon-Ra St. Brown
It’s a shame the Detroit duo of St. Brown and Williams didn’t get Pro Bowl consideration, as both have played key roles in the Lions’ resurgence this season.
St. Brown has yet to receive 1,000 yards (974), but all receivers ahead of him, with the exception of one, have made the Pro Bowl.
As previously stated, Williams and Ekeler share the NFL lead with 14 touchdowns.
