First-Time Pro Bowl Selection Prospects
Last season, 46 of the players selected via vote or invitation to the Pro-Bowl were first-time picks.
The format change of the Pro Bowl is the main reason for this increased selection of new players. The Pro Bowl is now set on the Sunday between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl in order to bolster ratings. This means that Super Bowl players, higher ratios of which are Pro Bowl-level players, are exempt from the ceremonial game. Many players who have not yet healed from the playoffs also chose to abstain.This leaves the possibility for new players to make the Pro Bowl.
This season, here are the players who are most likely to play in their first Pro Bowl:
Dunta Robinson: Without much fanfare, Robinson has long been considered one of the League’s premier cornerbacks. The former Houston Texans franchise player has just inked a six-year, $57 million contract with the Falcons this offseason. Since the Falcons are a very competitive 11 to 12 win team, Robinson will finally receive some recognition for his play.
Greg Jennings: Fans are often shocked that the Green Bay Packers wide receiver has yet to feature in a Pro Bowl. Jennings has averaged an impressive 1,200 yards receiving the last two seasons. He has also had 23 touchdown receptions in the last three years. Additionally, Jennings is only 26 and coming into his prime under one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers, at the helm. Jennings may get his first selection this season, but it will most certainly not be his last.
Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall: It is impossible to separate the Cincinnati Bengals’ duo of cornerbacks in consideration. Together the duo has been the main reason the Bengals now have a domineering shutdown defence.
They have been somewhat recognized fairly by being named alternates, but have yet to actually play in the Pro Bowl. It will be hard getting above AFC powerhouse cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha, Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey, but Joseph and Hall are on par to do so.
Matt Ryan: Ryan has been in the NFL for only two seasons but he has already established himself as the future of the Atlanta Falcons. He has predicted an 11 or 12 win season this year, and if that prediction comes to fruition he will be a very strong Pro Bowl candidate.
Kurt Warner has recently retired and is no longer in the mix for NFC quarterback selections. Even if Brett Favre does come back to the Vikings and is selected, he won’t play in a Pro Bowl. This leaves Ryan to compete for the third spot available after shoo-ins Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, both of whom are liable to not play due to strong chances of making the Super Bowl. A strong season will propel him into the selected trio.
Michael Crabtree: The NFC’s Pro Bowl selections for wide receiver last season were the most conducive for first-time appearances. Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys, DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Sidney Rice of the Vikings and Steve Smith of the New York Giants all played in their first Pro Bowl.
Crabtree held out due to contractual negotiations last season, but upon entering the San Francisco 49ers system late, he still managed 48 catches in 11 games. Now that he has a much better knowledge of the 49ers system, he should become quarterback Alex Smith’s main selection. If Smith can get five to six passes to Crabtree a game, which is entirely plausible, Crabtree could easily find himself in a Pro Bowl during his first full season.
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