Every January, the NFL plays its annual Pro Bowl game. They have this game to recognize all of the great NFL players from that season. The AFC will take on the NFC to see which conference reigns supreme. Every year, there are always players that should have been voted in that did not, and players that are voted in and should not be there. Lets take a look at ten players that should have gotten the nod, and who they should replace.
Andrew Luck over Tom Brady
The Colts started the season 1-5. Since then, they have won seven out of eight, putting them into the playoff picture. Luck returned this season after sitting out for nearly two years with a shoulder injury. It looks as if he has not missed a beat since returning. He is second in the league in touchdown passes, and eighth in passing yards. He has been the leader of this surging Colts team, and should have joined Philip Rivers and Patrick Mahomes on the Pro Bowl roster.
Joe Mixon over James Conner
Conner took over Le’Veon Bell‘s spot as the starting running back of the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. while he has had a great season, Joe Mixon has meant more to his team than Conner has. The Steelers still have Ben Roethlisberger and the best receiving duo in the NFL. Mixon has been a leader for the Bengals offense. The Bengals have struggled with injuries all season, and Mixon has stepped up every time a guy goes down. He leads the AFC in rushing yards, and has eight scores this season.
Leighton Vander Esch over Ryan Kerrigan
Vander Esch has been phenomenal this season, while being the Dallas Cowboys defensive star. The rookie has raised eyebrows across the league since being announced the Cowboys starting linebacker early in the season. He is third in the league in tackles. Him and fellow rookie Roquan Smith, of the Chicago Bears, will battle it out for the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. While Kerrigan has been impressive this season with the Washington Redskins, there is no doubt that Vander Esch has meant more to his team than Kerrigan has.
Matt Ryan over Jared Goff
Matt Ryan‘s Atlanta Falcons have been less than stellar this season. While they continue to disappoint, Ryan has stepped up on the offensive end. He leads the NFC in passing yards, and is only one touchdown shy of leading in touchdown passes. The Falcons have been plagued across the board with injuries, and Ryan seems to be the only shining light on the Falcons offense this season.
Russell Wilson over Aaron Rodgers
Since being drafted in the 2012 draft, Wilson has been astounding. He has led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning one of them. There is no debate about Rodgers being one of the best to ever play the quarterback position, but Russel Wilson has just looked more impressive this season. The Seahawks were expected to take a big step back from last season, but Wilson has them in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Darius Leonard over Jadevoen Clowney
How in the World could the NFL’s leading tackler not be named to the Pro Bowl? And how did Clowney even get on the list? Leonard is putting up the best rookie stats for a linebacker than we have seen in a long time. He has been the anchor of the Colts defense. The Pro Bowl has left some great players of their list, but this one may be the most baffling.
Chris Jones over Melvin Ingram
Chris Jones started the 2018 campaign a little sluggish in the first four weeks, but he has been anything but that since. Jones has recorded at least one sack in his last eleven games. He also has two forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown. Number 95 also leads all defensive linemen in passes defended. This has been a breakout year for Jones, and we could see him become a frequent starter in the Pro Bowl as his career progresses.
Alec Ogletree over Anthony Barr
It has been a down year for the New York Giants, but throughout the year, we have seen the emergence of Alec Ogletree. While he was largely ineffective with the Rams to begin his career, he has become one of the top defenders in the league. He led all linebackers with five interceptions, returning two of them back for touchdowns. Anthony Barr is still a terrific talent, but Ogletree has just been better this season.
Christian McCaffrey over Saquon Barkley
Barkley has had a breakout rookie season, proving why the Giants took him second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, McCaffrey has been the leader of the entire Carolina Panthers offense. McCaffrey broke the record for most catches by a running back in a season in NFL history. He had a game in which he had fifty receiving, rushing, and passing yards. This season has been a special one for him, and he deserves to be put in the Pro Bowl lineup.
DeForest Buckner over Fletcher Cox
Buckner has put together a nice 2018 campaign for the San Francisco 49ers. He has 12 sacks, and has the third most tackles by a defensive lineman in 2018. Add in the fact that he is a defensive tackle, and the sack total makes it even more impressive. Cox had a breakout year last year, but did not have as much success as Buckner in 2018. While Buckner has flown under the radar for most of the year, he has done enough to earn himself a place in the Pro Bowl.