Pro Bowl 2023 SNUBS

 One of the biggest subjects up for debate every NFL season is the Pro Bowl. Selection for the Pro Bowl teams is never an exact science and always wonky, especially with fan vote having 1/3 of say in who makes it (along with the players themselves and coaches). The end of season All-Pro teams are usually the most accurate and reliable indicators of the best of the best. With all of that being said, today I am going to talk about some players I believe were snubbed from these Pro Bowl rosters. Let's get into it!

*P.S. Even if a good player didn't make the Pro Bowl, I will only mention that player if there is someone they should replace. For example, Tua Tagovailoa has had a Pro Bowl worthy year, but he's not a snub because I wouldn't put him in over Mahomes, Allen, or Burrow (if that makes sense)*

Justin Fields, Quarterback, Chicago Bears
Replacing: Kirk Cousins (MIN)

My first snub is easily Justin Fields of the Bears. Sure, his team is 3-11 but the Pro Bowl is not for team success, it is about the individual players. Fields does not have staggeringly good throwing numbers (2000 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs passing), but his rushing numbers are beyond ELITE. Fields has 1000 yards and 8 TDs (and counting) on the ground to go with those throwing numbers. He is on pace to break Lamar Jackson's single season QB rushing record. I would easily take the dynamic Fields over Kirk Cousins, who got in because he is the QB of the no. 2 team in the NFC, but again, Pro Bowl is INDIVIDUAL, not TEAM. 

Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
Replacing: Miles Sanders (PHI)

This might be THE biggest snub of the Pro Bowl. How did the NFC's leader in scrimmage yards from the RB position not make the Pro Bowl? McCaffrey has around 1600 yards and 10 TDs on offense and is the heartbeat of the red hot 49er offense. He is arguably the most dynamic offensive weapon in the sport and yet Miles Sanders is in the Pro Bowl over him? That is another instance of team success over individual players, as Sanders is the RB1 for the #1 team in the NFL. Sure, Sanders is good, but he has no business being IN to the Pro Bowl over CMC.

Tyler Lockett, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks
Replacing: Terry McLaurin (WAS)

It should come as no surprise that one of the most underrated players in the NFL was snubbed of a Pro Bowl selection. Tyler Lockett has long been a top 10-15 wideout in the league, but he is never mentioned as one of the best of the best in many circles. He is now in the midst of arguably his best career season, yet he somehow did not earn a PB nod over the likes of Terry McLaurin. Lockett has over 960 yards and 8 TDs (5th most in the NFL). He has been one of the surest handed pass catchers in the game as well. Terry only has 40 more yards receiving than him while also having 5 less scores. Lockett is better when you simply watch him play too. This is a bad snub.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions
Replacing: Terry McLaurin (WAS)

The streak of NFC players being snubbed continues here. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a second player I'd take over Terry McLaurin in the Pro Bowl. St. Brown has very similar stats to Lockett (above) with 974 yards and 6 TDs receiving. He, too, is a better overall player when you watch the games than Terry. St. Brown has been one of the most productive WRs on a game-by-game basis in the entire league this year. The Lions are arguably the hottest team in football right now and a big reason is St. Brown who is the team's WR1. I'm taking him over Terry 24/7. 

Alex Highsmith, Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Replacing: TJ Watt (PIT) or Khalil Mack (LAC)

My first AFC snub. Alex Highsmith is having a breakout year in his third NFL season. Surprisingly, Highsmith has soared with reigning DPOY TJ Watt out for much of the season so far. Highsmith has the 8th-most sacks in the NFL with 11 and also leads the entire NFL with a whopping 5 forced fumbles! Despite this elite production for an edge rusher, he did not make the Pro Bowl. Both Khalil Mack and TJ Watt are former DPOYs who are household names, but neither have had close to the season that Highsmith has had. He deserves to have made it over both of them, especially Watt who has been out for most of this season. 

Josh Uche, Outside Linebacker, New England Patriots
Replacing: TJ Watt (PIT) or Khalil Mack (LAC)

Another third year breakout edge rusher who was snubbed of an AFC OLB spot, Josh Uche. Like Highsmith, Uche has completely come out of nowhere and into his own this year. Uche has 10.5 sacks, which is 10th most in the NFL. He also has 2 forced fumbles. With Matt Judon wreacking havoc on one side, Uche has given the Patriots a second elite rusher on the other side. New England has had the best defense in the AFC this year and a huge reason for that is Uche. Still, due to being somewhat unknown and underrated, Mack and Watt got in over him. That's a bad look.

Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, Carolina Panthers
Replacing: Jaire Alexander (GB)

I've been looking around the internet and social media, gathering names and info about popular 'snubs'. One name I'm not seeing floated around enough but is a MAJOR snub is Jaycee Horn. Horn has not only had a huge second year leap, he's arguably the BEST corner in the NFL!! Horn has 3 INTs, 7 pass deflections, and 47 tackles. But those aren't even the biggest stats to tell the full story. Horn has the LOWEST passer rating allowed in the NFL with 39.4. The next closest is 45.7 (James Bradberry, who is arguably another snub). Jaire Alexander is a household name as he's been one of the top CBs in the NFL over the past few years, but he has been injured and not as good when playing this season. Horn is arguably the best corner in football this year, he easily deserved the nod over Alexander. 

Javon Hargrave, Defensive Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
Replacing: Jonathan Allen (WAS) or Dexter Lawrence (NYG)

That's right, Hargrave, who didn't make the Pro Bowl, would get the top nod at NFC DT for me. What a season he is having in the middle of the vaunted Philly D. Hargrave has 10 sacks which is INSANE for a DT and the most by any NFC DT (3rd most for DTs in the NFL). Allen has been an elite pass rusher as well, while Lawrence has been an elite run defender, but Hargrave has been the best DT in the NFC this season. He not only deserves a nod, but the starting role. 

Matt Milano, Inside Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
Replacing: CJ Mosley (NYJ)

Milano has 85 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 8 pass deflections, 1 TD, and 2 fumble recoveries. First off, tell me those aren't do-it-all, Pro Bowl numbers for an LB. Secondly, he has been the best player for the Bills' D, who happen to be the no. 1 seed in the AFC right now. CJ Mosley has had another good year, but Matt Milano is simply a better player having a better year. This is a bad snub. 

Honorable mention snubs: Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Dolphins), Penei Sewell (OT, Lions), Foye Oluokun (LB, Jaguars), Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins), Rayshawn Jenkins (S, Jaguars), Trey Smith (OG, Chiefs), Dre Greenlaw (LB, 49ers), Uchenna Nwosu (OLB, Seahawks), Kevin Zietler (OG, Ravens), DJ Reed (CB, Jets)