Dallas Cowboys: 5 named to Pro Bowl, rookie snubbed

The Dallas Cowboys had five of their players named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday. But their impressive rookie linebacker will have to wait to earn his bid.

Being named to the Pro Bowl means your among the most popular and talented players in the NFL. For the Dallas Cowboys, it also likely means you are a member of their offensive line. And 2018 is no different.

The Cowboys had five different players named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday. Two of which are members of their offensive line. Left tackle Tyron Smith and Zack Martin have once again been named to the NFC roster of the league’s version of an all-star game.

For Smith, it is his sixth straight nomination since entering the NFL in 2011 as the ninth overall selection in that year’s draft. Martin entered the league in 2014 and has been named to the Pro Bowl every single season since, making 2018 his fifth-straight nomination.

Those two talented offensive linemen will represent America’s Team at the 2019 Pro Bowl along with running back Ezekiel Elliott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Byron Jones.

This will be Elliott’s second Pro Bowl nod after being elected as a rookie in 2016. It will also be Lawrence’s second nomination in a row after posting a career-high 14.5 sacks last season.

Finally, Jones will be making the first Pro Bowl appearance of his four-year career. A first-round selection in 2015, the former safety made the career-saving switch to cornerback this offseason at the behest of new passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Kris Richard. Ever since making the move Jones has been widely considered the top player at his position.

Not making the cut is rookie linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch. The Cowboys’ first-round selection, 19th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been one of the best first-year defenders in the league. Vander Esch has seamlessly been able to replace two-time Pro Bowler Sean Lee, who has missed several games this season due to a hamstring injury. The rookie linebacker could still make the Pro Bowl as an alternate.

The 2019 NFL Pro Bowl will take place on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.