Sports
Biggest Snubs and Suprises of NFL’s 2020 Pro Bowl Selections
0 of 8Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesThe NFL Pro Bowl is where the best of the best is supposed to take center stage as a showcase for the league’s otherworldly talent. That’s rarely the case, though.More often than not, the event serves as a running joke. Some of the top stars never take the field due to…
0 of 8
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
The NFL Pro Bowl is where the best of the best is supposed to take center stage as a showcase for the league's otherworldly talent. That's rarely the case, though.
More often than not, the event serves as a running joke. Some of the top stars never take the field due to injuries, while others are still playing in the postseason. The game itself lacks the competitive juices seen in a typical football game.
Even so, the honor of being named to the 2020 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orland, Fla. should still be considered a significant achievement since a player's legacy is partially defined by how many times he's named to the all-star squad.
Thus, the reliance on fan voting remains one of the game's most head-scratching factors. Not every player named to the Pro Bowl deserves to be there when others are far more fitting.
Every year, the Pro Bowl provides pleasant surprises and incomprehensible snubs. The following are this year's nominations for those two categories.
1 of 8
Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press
Aaron Rodgers is a future Hall of Fame quarterback, but he hasn't played well enough to warrant a spot among the NFC's quarterback roster.
Instead, the final spot behind the Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson and New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees should belong to either the Minnesota Vikings' Kirk Cousins or Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott.
Cousins gets the edge here, because he's been more efficient this season. The Vikings signal-caller is the only quarterback other than Wilson with 25 or more touchdowns passes and five or fewer interceptions. Cousins is second among NFC quarterbacks with a 111.1 quarterback rating. He's also tied for fourth with Prescott at 8.4 yards per attempt.
Furthermore, Cousins leads a 10-4 squad, while the Cowboys might squeak into the playoffs.
Usually, these type of decisions aren't so clear cut, but Cousins is obviously counted among the three best quarterbacks the NFC has to offer this season.
2 of 8
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Does anyone think Jarvis Landry making the Pro Bowl irks Odell Beckham Jr. ever so slightly?
In truth, Landry deserved the nod as much as Beckham did—meaning neither should be going, because they haven't earned the acclaim. The Cleveland Browns offense struggled throughout the year to establish any rhythm. Neither seems to be on the same page with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Potential complaints and possible lack of professionalism are now bubbling to the surface. A team and position in turmoil don't deserve the recognition.
Statistically, Landry's choice does make some sense. He leads the Browns with 74 receptions for 1,018 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He's also good for a spectacular play, too.
But look around the AFC and Landry doesn't necessarily stack up compared to other possibilities. The New England Patriots' Julian Edelman, for example, has more receptions, yardage and touchdowns. Denver's Courtland Sutton has been a better downfield threat.
Landry is productive and certainly the Browns' best receiving threat this season. All the same, he's the arguably the best in a bad situation.
3 of 8
David Eulitt/Getty Images
What does Mitchell Schwartz need to do to earn a Pro Bowl berth? Seriously.
Schwartz established himself as one of the NFL's best offensive tackles years ago yet still hasn't made it to a single Pro Bowl.
NOTE: A differentiation between right and left tackle isn't necessary, because the gap between the two positions no longer exists since both must be adept pass-blockers considering the amount of quality pass-rushers who come off the offense's right side.
Last season, Schwartz earned first-team All-Pro honors and didn't make the Pro Bowl. Usually, a player of that caliber gets a make-up call the following year. Not Schwartz, even though he can challenge anyone in the AFC for supremacy as the top edge-blocker.
Schwartz isn't the only right tackle deserving of such attention. The Saints' Ryan Ramcyzk is younger yet established himself as a top offensive lineman. He should be on the NFC's squad. Yet, the position still holds some kind of stigma compared to its more highly touted blindside brethren.
4 of 8
Duane Burleson/Associated Press
The Cowboys' Travis Frederick has been, by far, one of the NFL's best comeback stories this season, but he hasn't been an elite center.
Frederick missed all of last season after being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome (an autoimmune disease that causes rapid-onset muscle weakness).
To the 28-year-old's credit, he battled back and played relatively well. But a different standard is necessary to be one of the league's best, whereas Frederick appears to have benefited from name recognition.
Prior to his diagnosis, the Cowboys pivot went to four straight Pro Bowls. At that time, he was the game's best center. Now, multiple others at his position did more to earn the spot behind starter Jason Kelce.
The Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow, Green Bay Packers' Corey Linsley, Saints' Erik McCoy and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen could have gotten the nod and no one would have blinked an eye.
Instead, a good story will get a bonus chapter.
5 of 8
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Sometimes, more recognizable names land Pro Bowl nods instead of lesser-known options who are playing better overall.
The Bears' Khalil Mack is an outstanding football player. Opposing offenses are always aware of where he is. There's no denying his ability to change a game.
Yet, the Packers' Za'Darius Smith has put together a better all-around season and deserves the recognition.
According to Pro Football Focus, Smith led all edge-defenders entering Week 15 with an 18.2 percent pressure rate. The outside linebacker ranks sixth among NFC pass-rushers 10 sacks despite playing fewer snaps than anyone in the top five.
Obviously, edge-defenders are asked to do more than sack the quarterback. They must hold contain against the run. Mack is a wrecking ball against opposing ground games. Even so, Smith more than holds his own in the other phase of the game. He's developed into a complete defender after signing with Green Bay in free agency.
Actually, the Packers feature the league's best edge duo in Za'Darius and Preston Smith yet neither could overcome more notable choices.
6 of 8
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
A year ago, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard gave the league one of the greatest rookie performances it's ever seen. Leonard led the league in tackles and earned first-team All-Pro status. He wasn't named to the Pro Bowl, though.
A little skepticism is natural after being overlooked.
The matter rectified itself in Leonard's second season. Granted, Leonard isn't on the same pace as a year ago since he's been hampered by injuries, but he still has 104 total tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown in 11 games.
Very few defenders, in general, present the same instincts, sideline-to-sideline capabilities and skill set to affect every facet of the game. Leonard is adept in all areas and continually finds himself around the football.
No linebacker has been more productive over the last two seasons than the man known as “The Maniac.”
7 of 8
Adrian Kraus/Associated Press
Playing for a bad team can really hurt a player's Pro Bowl chances.
Case in point: Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons is easily one of the league's best safeties, especially in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus (h/t DNVR Sports' Andrew Mason), opposing quarterbacks have a 29.5 passer rating when targeting Simmons.
Maybe more conventional statistics are needed to warrant stronger consideration.
Even that approach falls short when discussing Simmons since he's ranked top eight overall in both defended passes (14) and interceptions (four). He's the only safety to earn that distinction.
The Broncos are 5-9, though, which overshadows the fact the Broncos' defense ranks in the top half of the league, including the 10th-best pass D.
Really, the AFC could have gone in three different directions instead of naming Earl Thomas as Minkah Fitzpatrick's backup. The Kansas City Chiefs' Tyrann Mathieu and New England Patriots' Devin McCourty garnered strong consideration as well.
8 of 8
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Two months ago, the Los Angeles Rams discarded cornerback Marcus Peters like he was nothing more than trash.
To be fair, the 26-year-old defensive back hadn't played well to start the season.
However, the game-changing ability he showed throughout his career never went away and resurfaced after the Baltimore Ravens traded backup linebacker Kenny Young and a 2020 fifth-round pick for the cornerback's services.
Peters' career revival began the moment he stepped on the field while wearing purple and black. Three of his five interceptions and nine of his 13 defended passes came after being traded. Oh, he also found the end zone twice in eight games with the Ravens.
The AFC features the game's top two cornerbacks in the Patriots' Stephon Gilmore and Buffalo Bills' Tre'Davious White. Peters might be the most naturally gifted of the three. He needs to be far more consistent, but his ability to change a game is without peer.
Subscribe to Centenunlimited news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
