Pro Bowl: here are the 10 biggest forgotten

The Pro Bowl rosters have been revealed and like every year, some truly dominant players are snubbed and will not be at the event. Guests, selected by popular vote, are subject to a popularity contest and often, choices can be questionable. Here are our 10 biggest forgotten ones.

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1. Baker Mayfield (quart-arrière, Buccaneers)

It’s hard to criticize the choices of the three quarterbacks selected in the National Conference (Jared Goff, Sam Darnold and Jayden Daniels), but Mayfield is third in the league in passing yards (4,279), second in touchdown passes (39) and second in pass completion percentage (71.7%). Statistically, he is superior to Darnold, but the Bucs have won less.

2. Kerby Joseph (maraudeur, Lions)

It’s ridiculous that Kerby Joseph isn’t among the guests. He leads the NFL with nine interceptions, no less. His teammate Brian Branch is one of the marauders chosen and he deserves it, but Joseph is having an extraordinary season. Pro Football Focus also ranks him as the first out of 166 marauders in the league.

3. Danielle Hunter (defensive end, Texans)

Myles Garrett (Browns) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) are absolutely deserving, but there is no logic to the nomination of Maxx Crosby (Raiders) ahead of Danielle Hunter. Crosby was injured and couldn’t finish the season. With 12 sacks, Hunter is third in the NFL, while Crosby has recorded just 7.5. Hunter is also first in quarterback pressures (90), compared to 53 for Crosby. This is a perfect example of a popularity contest.

4. Jonnu Smith (tight end, Dolphins)

Obviously, who is the player who received the most votes for the Pro Bowl? Who else but Travis Kelce? We know that the Chiefs tight end will still be at his best in the playoffs, but the fact is that this season, he has really slowed down. In the American conference, there is no doubt that the excellent rookie Brock Bowers had his place, but the other should have been Jonnu Smith of the Dolphins. He has two more yards per reception and four more touchdowns than Kelce, but isn’t dating Taylor Swift…

5. Leonard Williams (plaqueur, Seahawks)

Among tackles in the National Conference, it’s hard to find better than Leonard Williams. Still, he’ll (maybe) watch the Pro Bowl from home. With nine sacks, 15 tackles for losses and a memorable interception returned for a touchdown, he had a fantastic season. Vita Vea and Jalen Carter, who were favored over him, are excellent, but not at Williams’ level.

6. James Cook (running back, Bills)

We understand that in the American conference, it was absolutely necessary to make room for Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor as ball carriers. James Cook, in Buffalo, has not crossed the symbolic mark of 1000 yards, but he is close (981 yards) and above all, his 17 total touchdowns make him the leader in the NFL. He would have been more deserving than Joe Mixon of the Texans.

7. Brian Thomas Jr. (receveur, Jaguars)

If Brian Thomas Jr is not one of the names selected, it is because there are two very simple reasons. On one hand, he plays in small market Jacksonville, for the woeful Jaguars. On the other hand, he is a green recruit. Precisely, the fact that Thomas is second in the conference in yards (1,179) and touchdowns (10) while playing on such a dysfunctional team is quite an achievement.

8. Trent McDuffie (cornerback, Chiefs)

No, the most important forgotten name on the Chiefs is not Patrick Mahomes. The quarterback simply couldn’t logically get ahead of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow in the American Conference. Let’s talk about cornerback Trent McDuffie, an important cog in the Chiefs’ defense. He is rated the second best cornerback in the league by Pro Football Focus.

9. Kyren Williams (running back, Rams)

With 1,299 rushing yards, Kyren Williams is third in the NFL. His 14 rushing touchdowns give him the second highest total on the circuit. The Rams’ offense isn’t as explosive as it once was, and Williams has become the focal point with 316 carries and 34 receptions. The problem is that Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs and Josh Jacobs are excellent carriers.

10. Christian Benford (cornerback, Bills)

We tend to forget about Christian Benford because he’s a distant 2022 sixth-round pick, but the cornerback is essential to the Bills’ defensive success. This team’s secondary has been reshaped this season and injuries along the way have made it difficult, but Benford is a rock. Pro Football Focus gives him the fourth-highest rating among all cornerbacks.