CURRENT Pro Bowl Ballot 2022-23 (Week 11 Edition)

 While we still have weeks until the voting closes, pro bowl voting just officially opened so I thought it would be a fun near mid-season exercise to make my ballot as it stands now. Lets go!
(The * indicates who I think the starter should be at the position for each conference)

Quarterback

NFC: *Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Geno Smith (Seahawks), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)

AFC: *Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Josh Allen (Bills), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)

Far from the usual suspects here! This is fun. While Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are regulars, the other 4 players are guys that pretty much no one would have seen coming to begin the season. Jalen Hurts takes the starting job in the NFC as his Eagles are the top team in the conference and he is playing efficient, turnover free football. Geno Smith is my favorite one on here, I would have never thought in a million years this guy would be a Pro Bowl QB, now as arguably the most efficient QB in the NFL, he got a serious consideration from me for the starting nod. Kirk Cousins and Tua Tagovailoa continue to play plus football as their teams win, both are in the MVP conversation.

Running Back

NFC: *Saquon Barkley (Giants), Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Kenneth Walker (Seahawks)

AFC: *Nick Chubb (Browns), Derrick Henry (Titans), Dameon Pierce (Texans)

The AFC was evidently a lot harder to decide on than the NFC. In the NFC, Saquon was the easy starting choice. He has had a resurgent season and is currently coming off of a 35 carry, 150+ yard performance which cements his status here. CMC has been incredible since his trade to SF and is a shoe-in as well. The third spot in the NFC was up for grabs but I went with rookie Kenneth Walker who is the front-runner for OROY and is one of the most entertaining backs to watch in football right now. Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry are neck and neck for the starting gig in the AFC, but I gave it to Chubb because he has been consistently a top 3 back all season while Derrick has had some ups and downs but still is top 3 in rushing. The third spot was a dog-fight, I went with the rookie Dameon Pierce because there is no one running harder than him in football right now and he is the lone bright spot on an awful team. Austin Ekeler and Joe Mixon were close seconds and probably would get the nod over him in real life.

Wide Receiver

NFC: *Justin Jefferson (Vikings), AJ Brown (Eagles), Cooper Kupp (Rams)

AFC: *Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Stefon Diggs (Bills), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)

In the AFC with just three receiver spots, two come from the Dolphins! Pretty impressive. Tyreek Hill is on pace for an all-time season right now and easily takes the starting job, while Stefon Diggs is as good as ever and Jaylen Waddle is coming into his own as one of the best WRs in the NFL. No surprise that Justin Jefferson is the starter in the NFC, especially after his career day this past weekend. AJ Brown was an easy second choice as he has arguably been the difference maker in Philly's offense and then as good as Cooper Kupp is, I was hesitant to put him on because he's going to miss a good amount of time with the high ankle sprain.

Tight End

NFC: *George Kittle (49ers), TJ Hockenson (Vikings), Taysom Hill (Saints)

AFC: *Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Mark Andrews (Ravens), David Njoku (Browns)

TE was pretty thin this year. While Kelce and Andrews are ELITE TEs, everyone else is sort of a 'meh' type player. George Kittle slightly gets the nod over Hockenson in the NFC for his elite blocking skills coupled with the vertical threat he imposes. Taysom Hill might be the craziest TE3 option, but there weren't many better NFC options and he deserves a Pro Bowl nod for his versatility. David Njoku has been injured of late, but when he played he definitely deserved a Pro Bowl nod and he should be back soon to the lineup for Cleveland. Dallas Goedert narrowly missed in the NFC just due to my uncertainty with his injury this past weekend. 

Fullback

NFC: *Kyle Juszcyk (49ers), CJ Ham (Vikings), Adam Prentice (Saints)

AFC: *Patrick Ricard (Ravens), Alec Ingold (Dolphins), Reggie Gilliam (Bills)

Offensive Tackle

NFC: *Trent Williams (49ers), *Andrew Thomas (Giants), Charles Cross (Seahawks)

AFC: *Laremy Tunsil (Texans), *Terron Armstead (Dolphins), Dion Dawkins (Bills)

Offensive Guard

NFC: *Zack Martin (Cowboys), *Landon Dickerson (Eagles), Elgton Jenkins (Packers)

AFC: *Wyatt Teller (Browns), *Cole Strange (Patriots), Quenton Nelson (Colts)

Center

NFC: *Frank Ragnow (Lions), Austin Blythe (Seahawks), Garrett Bradbury (Vikings)

AFC: *Creed Humphrey (Chiefs), Corey Linsley (Chargers), Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens)

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Defensive End

NFC: *Nick Bosa (49ers), *Brian Burns (Panthers), Cam Jordan (Saints)

AFC: *Myles Garrett (Browns), *Von Miller (Bills), Maxx Crosby (Raiders)

A lot of All-NFL talent in here. In the NFC, Nick Bosa was the runaway top player with his best of the best 9.5 sacks. Brian Burns has been a game-wrecker for years and is on pace to break his personal best season sack high. The third spot was a bit of a crapshoot, but Cam Jordan continues to be one of the biggest pressure creators in the NFL and deserves it. In the AFC, Myles Garrett and Von Miller felt like the obvious starters, they get an ungodly amount of sacks but also are stout in run defense. Speaking of pressure creators, if there is one guy better at doing that than Jordan it's Maxx Crosby, who got the third spot without question here. 

Defensive Tackle

NFC: *Aaron Donald (Rams), *Javon Hargrave (Eagles), Vita Vea (Buccaneers)

AFC: *Chris Jones (Chiefs), *Jefferey Simmons (Titans), Quinnen Williams (Jets)

This is an up year for defensive tackles. So much All-NFL talent here as well. In the NFC, Aaron Donald and his Rams have struggled, but that doesn't change the fact that Donald is still probably the best player in the NFL and sees his impact come above the stats. Javon Hargrave is having a breakout year in Philly with a whopping 7 sacks from the DT spot. Couldn't forget about Vita Vea either, one of the most athletic bigs in the NFL who is maybe the best run defender in the sport. In the AFC Chris Jones and Jefferey Simmons ran away with the starting roles, both guys are easy top 20 NFL players and their defenses' success predicate off of them. Quinnen Williams got the third spot as he has had his best pro season yet with 7 sacks and counting.

Inside Linebacker

NFC: *Fred Warner (49ers), *Devin White (Buccaneers), Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks)

AFC: *Roquan Smith (Ravens), *CJ Mosley (Jets), Devin Lloyd (Jaguars)

This was an instance in which the NFC player pool was a lot stronger. Fred Warner is probably the best ILB in football right now, he's such a good tackler, amazing in coverage, and is an extension of the coaching staff of the field. Devin White got off to a bad start to the season but has picked up of late, including winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 10. Jordyn Brooks has his ups and downs, but is a lightning quick LB who leads the NFL in tackles. In the AFC, Roquan Smith felt like the runaway favorite with all he can do in Baltimore. CJ Mosley is one of the best leaders in the sport and has guided the Jets defense to becoming one of the top defenses in the league. Rookie LB Devin Lloyd has exceeded the hype, being an every down LB from day 1 who can do a little bit of everything. 

Outside Linebacker

NFC: *Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Za'Darius Smith (Vikings), Uchenna Nwosu (Seahawks)

AFC: *Matthew Judon (Patriots), Justin Houston (Ravens), Alex Highsmith (Steelers)

The versatility and talent of these 6 guys is unreal. Starting in the NFC, who else other than Parsons would take the starting gig, he is the current DPOY front-runner. Za'Darius Smith has had a resurgent season in Minnesota, tallying 8.5 sacks already and changing the culture of this much improved defense. Uchenna Nwosu does not get his flowers but is quietly the Seahawks' defensive MVP (the top defense in football over the last month+). He has 7 sacks and is a top 5 pressure creator as well. In the AFC, Matt Judon is having a breakout season despite being over 30. He comfortably leads the NFL with a whopping 11.5 sacks and could challenge Parsons for DPOY if he keeps it up. Justin Houston despite being 33 years old is playing like he's in his prime again, he has 8.5 sacks for Baltimore. Finally, second year rusher Alex Highsmith is having an unexpected breakout year as he too has 8.5 sacks along with THREE forced fumbles.

Cornerback

NFC: *Tariq Woolen (Seahawks), *Jaire Alexander (Packers), James Bradberry (Eagles)

AFC: *Patrick Surtain II (Broncos), *Sauce Gardner (Jets), Stephon Gilmore (Colts)

Some shocking names on here. Who could have foreseen that two starting CBs in the Pro Bowl would be rookies. Props to Tariq Woolen and Sauce Gardner, who are both having rookie seasons for the ages and will continue to tussle for DROY down the stretch. Patrick Surtain II is becoming far and away THE no. 1 CB in the NFL. You cannot throw on him. No one has all year. Jaire Alexander is similar, while his numbers aren't crazy, that is a bad indicator of how good a CB is. He's lockdown. Finally, two CBs over the age of 30 sneak in during resurgent seasons as James Bradberry has been a leader of a top 3 ranked Eagle D and has 3 INTs himself and Stephon Gilmore (a former DPOY) has returned to form and locks down anyone for Indy.

Strong Safety

NFC: *Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Eagles), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers), Budda Baker (Cardinals)

AFC: *Derwin James (Chargers), Vonn Bell (Bengals), Jordan Poyer (Bills)

I bet the Saints regret moving of CGJ for so cheap. The NFC's starter leads the NFL with 6 picks and seems to be everywhere in coverage when teams go deep on Philly. He has a shot to make it to the rarefied air of double digit picks. Talanoa Hufanga has been one of the biggest pleasant surprise breakouts of 2022, the rookie late round pick has also been EVERYWHERE for the Niners and allows the whole defense to play with more aggression knowing he is back there. He had the game sealing pick on Justin Herbert this past weekend. Budda Baker takes the third spot, he's not having a down year by any means but nothing as crazy as some of his recent seasons. In the AFC it's no surprise to see do-it-all Derwin as the starting S. Vonn Bell has had a breakout of his own, as he's been a force to be reckoned with in the secondary and in run support. He has 4 INTs himself. Finally Jordan Poyer, who would likely be a starter if he hadn't missed so much time but still has 4 INTs despite not playing in weeks.

Free Safety

NFC: *Eddie Jackson (Bears), Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers), Tyrann Mathieu (Saints)

AFC: *Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Kevin Byard (Titans)

At the other safety spot, there were some tough calls to be made. In the NFC, Eddie Jackson was the clear starting pick. He has been the lone bright spot on an awful Bear defense. Behind him Antoine Winfield Jr felt like an easy pick but then it was a crapshoot for the third spot in which I went with the Honey Badger for. In the AFC it was a toss-up between Jevon Holland and Minkah Fitzpatrick for the starting gig. I went with Holland due to Fitzpatrick having missed some time this year and I love how Holland is not only an asset in coverage but also can come up in run defense and create sacks. Kevin Byard is old reliable at FS with his elite coverage ability which I why he got the third spot here.

Special Teams

NFC:
*Jason Myers (K, Seahawks), Ryan Succop (K, Buccaneers), Graham Gano (K, Giants)
*Johnny Hekker (P, Panthers), Tress Way (P, Commanders), Jake Camarda (P, Buccaneers)
*Raheem Blackshear (Returner, Panthers)
*Nick Bellore (ST, Seahawks)

AFC:
*Daniel Carlson (K, Raiders), Justin Tucker (K, Ravens), Nick Folk (K, Patriots)
*Corliss Waitman (P, Broncos), Cameron Johnston (P, Texans), Matt Haack (P, Colts)
*Jamal Agnew (Returner, Jaguars)
*Matthew Slater (ST, Patriots)