Dallas Cowboys: Four possible Pro Bowl snubs
With four Dallas Cowboys being named to the initial Pro Bowl roster for 2018, here are three Cowboys who might be considered snubbed.
The Dallas Cowboys should be well represented at the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl, which will take place late next month at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Four Cowboys have been named onto the initial Pro Bowl rosters, which were determined by a combination of votes made by fans, players and coaches.
Making his first Pro Bowl appearance is fourth-year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. The talented pass rusher currents ranked third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks. Beyond Lawrence, all the regular Pro Bowlers along the Cowboys offensive line have once again made the cut. Those lineman of course being left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and left guard Zack Martin.
So, which Cowboys players could have also made the Pro Bowl roster but might have been snubbed? Here are our three best guesses …
Sean Lee, Linebacker
The fact Sean Lee has missed five games due to injury so far this season is likely the only reason he hasn’t been named to the Pro Bowl. Regardless of his missed time, there is still an argument to be made that he deserves his third nomination in a row.
In nine games, Lee has recorded 80 total tackles, one pass defend and one interception. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, who was named to the Pro Bowl, has recorded only 67 total tackles, 1.0 sack and six pass defends in 14 games! Lee’s impact is clearly greater and there is a chance he’ll get invited as an alternate.
La’el Collins, Right Tackle
After a bit of a shaky start, La’el Collins has proven the Cowboys right for making the switch from left guard to starting right tackle this season. In the past few games, Collins has arguably been one of the best right tackles in all of football. Unfortunately, his early learning curve cost him any consideration this season. But next year, it’s reasonable to believe the Cowboys having as many as four of their five starting offensive lineman in the Pro Bowl.
Chris Jones, Punter
Regardless of the voting, Cowboys punter Chris Jones has had a Pro Bowl-level year in Dallas this season. His 3.9 average return yards per punt is the best in the NFL. And he’s had 29 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, which is tied for third in the league. Jones has been one of the best special teams players in the NFL this season and certainly deserves recognition.
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Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back
If the Pro Bowl voting was truly a popularity contest, Ezekiel Elliott would have likely gotten a nod. Even with his six-game suspension, Elliott is widely considered the best running back in the NFL. Despite missing the last month and a half, Elliott still ranks 16th in overall rushing yardage with 783 yards. There is little doubt Zeke would have been the league’s top rusher for the second year in a row without his recent ban. If Elliott explodes for massive yardage in the Cowboys final two games of the regular season, he may push for an alternate spot if one opens up.