Dallas Cowboys: 8 players primed for the Pro Bowl
By Tim Kohut
We’re officially at the midseason mark of the 2017 NFL season. Let’s take a look at some Dallas Cowboys who could make the Pro Bowl this year.
Whether the Dallas Cowboys are having a playoff-caliber season or not, they are typically a shoe-in to have several of their players garner Pro Bowl honors.
At the midway mark of the 2017 season, they have a plethora of players who can make it to the NFL All-Star competition. Let’s take a look at which players are on pace to make the cut.
Dak Prescott, QB
Dak Prescott should be a shoe-in for his second Pro-Bowl selection in two seasons, albeit, not as a starter. Carson Wentz is having a historically good season, but with Aaron Rodgers out for the remainder of the season, there should most certainly be a spot for Prescott on the roster. With solid numbers to the tune of 1,818 yards passing, 16 throwing touchdowns, just four interceptions, along with another four rushing scores, Prescott is on pace to improve on his numbers from last year across the board.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Despite his ongoing suspension saga, Ezekiel Elliott, will, more likely than not, make the Pro Bowl for the second straight year. He’s second in the league in rushing with 783 yards rushing, trailing only Kareem Hunt by meager 17 yards, and he’s put together a nice campaign despite a slow start. Even if he doesn’t play for the majority of the second half, this is a fan-voting process, and it would be no surprise to see fans vote in the Cowboys’ bell cow back for his eight-games of work.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
DeMarcus Lawrence is another shoe-in for the game, as his 10.5 sacks are good for second in the league behind Calais Campbell’s 11.0. In a contract year, Lawrence has put up a monster season and should be credited with his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
David Irving, DT
Despite missing the first four games of the season, David Irving has been on a torrid sack pace, and has recorded at least one in every contest he’s played in. Now entrenched as the 3-technique defensive tackle in Rod Marinelli’s scheme, Irving has provided a much-needed interior boost to DeMarcus Lawrence’s outside dominance and should be rewarded with a Pro Bowl nod.
Tyron Smith, OL
Despite a nagging back-injury, Tyron Smith has been his usual dominant self in the run game and the passing game. He may not be having his best year, but at this point, he’s a household name at left tackle and should most certainly be voted into the game.
Travis Frederick, OL
Travis Frederick is another Cowboy that had a slow start to the season but has since been mauling defenders in the run game on a weekly basis. It’s no coincidence that once Frederick started to get going, so did Dallas’ run-game, and he’s already solidified himself as the best center in the NFC. He’s a no-brainer.
Zack Martin, OL
Zack Martin is the third piece of the Cowboys’ acclaimed offensive line that is a yearly guarantee to make the Pro Bowl. Martin is arguably Dallas’ best lineman and should be another lock for the NFL’s version of the All-Star game.
Next: Dallas Cowboys 2017 Rookie Class - Midseason grades
Sean Lee, OLB
Sean Lee has become one of the leagues most outstanding linebackers, and other than Carolina’s Luke Kuechly, could be the NFL’s very best. Look no further than the two games Lee missed for Dallas for proof, as the defense struggled mightily in the linebacker’s absence. After initially getting snubbed last season before making it as an alternate, Sean Lee should most definitely make the game as a starter in 2017.