Predicting which Cowboys will make the Pro Bowl in 2022

The fan-voted selections for the Pro Bowl have become less substantive over the last few years, but the title still means a lot to both players and fans, and they usually correlate with that team’s success during the regular season.

In four of the last five years, the Dallas Cowboys have had 5 or more Pro Bowl selections each season, with the one exception being 2020 where they had none. That consistency is rare across the league, but can we expect the same from this 2022 roster?

While the Cowboys have seen a number of departures, trades, and salary cap casualties in the last six months, all five of last year’s Pro Bowlers are returning to Dallas, so perhaps they will still be able to send a good amount of players to Las Vegas.

One big difference might be which side of the ball those selections are coming from. As the offensive line ages, the wide receiver room gets thinner and thinner, and running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard share more carries, the emerging defense in Dallas may lead the way for the Cowboys this year.

With that said, I have my predictions on who is going to show out this year and get their ticket punched for this year’s Pro Bowl.

Predicting which Cowboys players will make the Pro-Bowl in 2022

1. Zack Martin, Right Guard

Any conversation about the Cowboys and the Pro Bowl has to start with the heart and soul of the offensive line, Zack Martin. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Martin has and will continue to be a shoo-in for the honor as he consistently ranks as the top guard in the league.

At 31 years old, he has been named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in every year of his career except for the 2020 season. Martin is the definition of consistency and elite play. He is likely a future member of the hall of fame.

This year, he will need to continue to carry the weight on the O-Line as young guys like Tyler Smith, Terrence Steele, and Tyler Biadasz develop. It is truly just Martin and LT Tyron Smith remaining from the vaunted offensive lines of the past, and Smith is not getting any younger or reliable.

While his role as the young star up front has changed, his performance has not. Martin is still at the top of his game as he enters his 30’s and is all but guaranteed to be a Pro Bowler if he stays healthy.

The bigger question on the offensive line is if Smith can stay healthy at left tackle and if the young guys can produce at the level needed to protect QB Dak Prescott.

2. Micah Parsons, Linebacker

My second selection is another easy one, as I have second-year superstar Micah Parsons making his 2nd consecutive Pro Bowl at just 23 years old.

Few could have anticipated the weekly show that Parsons put on during the 2021 season. Even as a high first-round pick, he shattered expectations and broke records. That pace will not slow down by the looks of it.

Parsons’ work ethic is unreal as his newfound fame has not changed how much work he puts in or how badly he wants to win. Improving and getting better is the only thing that matters to Parsons.

The linebacker put up 13.0 sacks in his rookie season, while not being a full-time pass rusher. Quite frankly, that is insane. His impact on the defense was across the board, in coverage, run-stopping, pass rush, and anywhere else.

There is no doubt that if he stays healthy he will be a regular in the Pro Bowl on a yearly basis.

3. Jalen Tolbert, Wide Receiver

It is time for a hot take. The departures of both Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson and injuries to two other receivers have left the Cowboys fully reliant on CeeDee Lamb and third-round pick Jalen Tolbert. This could open the door for either one of them to take on a huge workload this season.

The problem for Lamb is going to be the attention he attracts with the lack of firepower surrounding him on the wide receiver depth chart. Teams are going to be fully focused on him, thus, leaving the rookie from South Alabama in one-on-one coverage.

Tolbert is a legitimate weapon, and if utilized correctly by OC Kellen Moore, he could be the key to offensive success for the 2022 Cowboys. They need to let Lamb and Tolbert get the ball early and often.

He has been getting work as a punt returner as well as the second receiver on the depth chart, which is a recipe for big success from Tolbert. If he connects with Prescott well and the chemistry is brewing, there could be a 1,000+ yard season as a rookie from Tolbert.

The only things hindering Tolbert from a breakout season are how much will Gallup’s return affect his role and subsequent targets and if the Cowboys decide to bring in a veteran WR from free agency.

4. Jayron Kearse, Safety

After a huge 2021 season, safety Jayron Kearse is ready to make the next big leap. I believe he will be considered a clear-cut top ten safety in the league after this season.

With 101 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defended, and nine tackles for loss, Kearse was a main reason for the Cowboys’ defensive success last year and he was arguably snubbed from the Pro Bowl last year.

He was re-signed this offseason, but it was not the contract he deserves, so be ready to see an even hungrier Kearse as we move through the 2022 season.

This defense is going to keep on improving, and Kearse is a big reason why. It has been nearly decades since the Cowboys had a reliable talent at safety, but they have found one with Kearse. This time next year he will be a Pro Bowl safety, hopefully playing in Dallas.

5. Trevon Diggs, Cornerback

It would not be a Cowboys Pro Bowl list without the inclusion of the interception maestro and co-cover star of the latest Sports Illustrated magazine, Trevon Diggs.

After an 11 INT season, Diggs has high expectations, and rightfully so. He is a top 10 cornerback in football regardless of what NFL Meme pages have to say, and he is a key to defensive success from the Cowboys in 2022.

At 23 years old, Diggs has room to grow for certain, and he will get there in coverage as well as continued improvements in his ball-hawking skills. His potential is sky high, but the ability is also there right now, last season proved that.

Diggs will continue to become more sticky in coverage, and in the meantime, he will run up interception totals like nobody else in football. It will be hard to deny him of Pro Bowl appearances if he is consistently recording 8+ INTs per season.

Plus, he has only been a corner for a couple of seasons now as he was previously a wide receiver. The fact that he has made the strides he has in such a short amount of time is proof that his raw talent is elite.

This is going to be a big year for Diggs. One that, in my opinion, ends with his 2nd Pro-Bowl selection.