2024 NFL Pro Bowl picks The best NFC AFC players at every posit

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    The 2024 Pro Bowl Games take place Sunday, Feb. 4, in Orlando, Florida. Which NFL players most deserve to be honored with a spot?Our NFL staff voted on the most deserving NFC and AFC players and wrote about what made them stand out.QuarterbacksNFC QB: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ersAFC QB: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsADVERTISEMENT Ben Arthur: It's hard to argue against Mahomes remaining the undisputed best quarterback in football, despite the offensive i sues and frustrations in Kansas City this season. That's why he's AFC QB1. But Purdy has been the best quarterback in the NFL this year and might win MVP. Of course, he has a brilliant playcaller in Kyle Shanahan and a ridiculous amount of talent around him, but his numbers are All-Pro-worthy. He's first in the NFL in pa sing touchdowns, touchdown rate, yards per attempt, pa ser rating and QBR, plus second in completion rate and pa sing yards.Is Brock Purdy or Christian McCaffrey the more valuable player? Running backsNFC RB: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ersAFC RB: Raheem Mostert, Miami DolphinsEric Williams: McCaffrey and Mostert both play in a zone-blocking scheme originated by Mike Shanahan and have produced phenomenal numbers in 2023. McCaffrey leads the league in rushing yards (1,292), scrimmage yards (1,801) and his 20 total touchdowns rank second to only Jerry Rice (23 in 1987) in franchise history. McCaffrey has a shot to be the first running back to win the leagues MVP award since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Mostert (966 rushing yards) should eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this weekend and leads the NFL with a franchise-record 18 rushing touchdowns.Wide receiversNFC WR1: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia EaglesNFC WR2: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas CowboysNFC WR3: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit LionsRalph Vacchiano: Both Brown and Lamb are having historic seasons. Lamb became the first NFL WR ever to top 10 catches and 150 yards in three straight games. Brown became the first to top 125 receiving yards in six consecutive games. And the numbers for Lamb (103-1,306-8) and Brown (95-1,314-7) are virtually identical, making them more like a 1 and 1A in the NFC. St. Brown (94-1,175-7) certainly isn't far behind, but there's no doubt Brown and Lamb have been the elite of the NFC all year long.A.J. Brown sounds off on critics; are the Eagles unraveling? AFC WR1: Tyreek Hill, Miami DolphinsAFC WR2: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles ChargersAFC WR3: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati BengalsHenry McKenna: It's feeling le s likely Hill will make it to 2,000 yards, given his ankle injury. But that shouldn't take away from what Kevin Mandolese Jersey he has done this season. He and the Dolphins have put together a superpowered attack. On this Pro Bowl squad, Hill will be flanked by Allen, who (admittedly dealing with an injury of his own) has enjoyed a sensational season with 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. Chase has doubtle sly mi sed , but even without the Bengals' QB1 for the last month, the star wide receiver has 93 catches for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns.Tight endsNFC TE: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ersAFC TE: Travis Kelce, Kansas City ChiefsWilliams: Kelce created buzz off the field because of his relationship with Taylor Swift, but the 34-year-old future Hall of Famer can still get it done on the field as well. Kelce leads all tight ends with 924 receiving yards on 85 catches and has scored five touchdowns. Kittle has done a nice job of following in the footsteps of Kelce, totaling 55 receptions for 865 yards and six touchdowns as Brock Purdy's security blanket. Kittle also is one of the best blocking tight ends in the league a critical part of the succe s of San Francisco's running game.Travis Kelce: "I think about retirement more than anyone could imagine" Offensive tacklesNFC OT1: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ersNFC OT2: Penei Sewell, Detroit LionsCarmen Vitali: Did you know Sewell is only 23 years old? He has made a home this season at right tackle in Detroit but has also filled in at left tackle here and there when the Lions have been dealing with various injuries. Sewell is PFF's top-graded offensive tackle and has the highest run-blocking grade of anyone at the position, NFC or AFC. That comes in handy for Detroit, which relies on its tandem backfield in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to open up its full and diverse offensive playbook. That doesn't happen without the Lions' offensive line, particularly Sewell.AFC OT1: Terron Armstead, Miami DolphinsAFC OT2: Laremy Tunsil, Houston TexansMcKenna: Behind every great quarterback is a great tackle. No, I mean literally, the tackles are taking care of the QB's backside. Tunsil has played a huge role in uplifting quarterback to a likely Offensive Rookie of the Year award. And while Armstead has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, he has been an amazing blocker for Tua (who is a lefty, so technically Armstead is blocking Tua's front side). The Dolphins offense just clicks so much better both pa sing and running with Armstead.Cowboys slight underdogs vs. Dolphins in Week 16: Who wins? GuardsNFC OG1: Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta FalconsNFC OG2: Tyler Smith, Dallas CowboysGreg Auman: Lindstrom got his first real recognition last year, making his Pro Bowl debut and earning second-team All-Pro honors. After signing a five-year, $105 million extension, Lindstrom is Pro Football Focus' highest-graded guard this year, clearing the way for rookie running back . Smith has been the Cowboys' second-highest-graded lineman behind tackle . The 2022 first-rounder is still only 22 years old as he wraps up his second NFL season.AFC OG1: Joe Thuney, Kansas City ChiefsAFC OG2: Wyatt Teller, Cleveland BrownsArthur: Both Thuney and Teller have been elite guards for years. The 31-year-old Thuney, who has played for the and Chiefs, has mi sed just two games since being drafted in 2016. Of guards who have played at least 336 pa s-blocking snaps, he's Pro Football Focus' highest-graded pa s-blocker (84.3). A Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons, the 29-year-old Teller has been a key cog in the Browns' dynamic run game for multiple seasons. Of guards who have played at least 336 run-block snaps, Teller is PFF's third highest-graded run blocker (72.6), including No. 1 in the AFC.CentersNFC C: Frank Ragnow, Detroit LionsAFC C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City ChiefsVitali: If there's anyone more valuable to the Lions than Sewell, it's Ragnow. And it's not close. Ragnow mi sed one singular game after having meniscus surgery two weeks ago and Detroit lost to the . Badly. On snaps with Ragnow, the Lions' offense would rank second in EPA per play. Without him, it would rank 27th. But the bottom line is you likely won't find a non-quarterback that means more to his team's succe s than Ragnow.Edge rushersNFC Edge 1: Danielle Hunter, Minnesota VikingsNFC Edge 2: Micah Parsons, Dallas CowboysVitali: No one is talking enough about Danielle Hunter. He leads the league's most aggre sive defense in sacks with 15.5, which is a new single-season career high for him and half a sack back from , who leads the league. Hunter is in a contract year and is proving why he's worth every penny. He has been paramount to what defensive coordinator Brian Flores wants Minnesota's defensive reputation to be. Aside from sacks, Hunter also ranks in the top 10 in pre sures, hurries and every major stat that matters for an edge player. Let the Vikings figure out what they need to do under center and the defense, led by Hunter, should lead the way to a real playoff run come 2024."Dominate or be dominated" Micah Parsons on his mindset AFC Edge 1: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh SteelersAFC Edge 2: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas RaidersMcKenna: You know a player is elite when he's quietly putting up 16 sacks. Watt has done exactly that for a Steelers team that would be something of an embarra sment without elite play from its defense. When he's healthy, Watt can be the best player on the field. Despite the turmoil in Las Vegas, from Josh McDaniels to , Crosby has been productive with 13.5 sacks. He's the heart of that defense and the person that every offensive coordinator attempts (and mostly fails) to account for.4-3 Defensive tackles/3-4 defensive endsNFC IDL1: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles RamsNFC IDL2: Dexter Lawrence, New York GiantsWilliams: Even at 32 years old, Aaron Donald remains the most dominant interior pa s rusher in the game. Donald leads all defensive tackles in quarterback pre sures(61) and has six sacks on the year, even though hes constantly double-teamed. Donald also has been responsible for L.A.s resurgent defense, one that has helped the rebuilding Rams surprisingly join the playoff hunt. Donald (109 sacks) needs five sacks to move into the top 25 in NFL history, pa sing Sean Jones (113 sacks). Lawrence has 4.5 sacks this season and is third among defensive tackles in ESPNs pa s rush win rate metric (18 %) while being one of the leagues premier run-stuffers.AFC IDL1: Quinnen Williams, New York JetsAFC IDL2: Christian Wilkins, Miami DolphinsMcKenna: Williams and Wilkins are the tone-setters on their respective defenses. Williams signed a ma sive contract extension last offseason. Wilkins did what he could to leverage a deal of his own, but he'll have to wait for this offseaeson. But it's Miami that'll kick itself not Williams, who did nothing but send his value through the roof. His eight sacks don't begin to demonstrate his value to Miami's defense.Aaron Donald on proving doubters wrong LinebackersNFC LB1: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ersNFC LB2: Split decision between Lavonte David, Demario Davis, Bobby Okereke, Bobby Wagner, Ernest JonesWilliams: Warner stands out among a talented, tight group of linebackers that can consistently get ball carriers on the ground. The BYU products four interceptions are tied with Chicagos Tremaine Edmunds for tops among linebackers. While effective when dropping in coverage, Warner also is a productive blitzer with 2.5 sacks on the year. Wagner, 33, notched over 100 tackles for a 12th straight time this season, becoming only the third player to accomplish that feat in league history.AFC LB1: Roquan Smith, Baltimore RavensAFC LB2: Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis ColtsAuman: The Ravens are No. 1 in points allowed and No. 2 in total yards allowed, and Smith is their leading tackler by a margin of 30. Acquired from the Bears last year and signed to a $100 million contract, he's coming off a first-team All-Pro season. By sheer volume, Franklin is the leading tackler in the NFL, with a prolific 149 already, putting him on pace to surpa s last year's 167.CornerbacksNFC CB1: DaRon Bland, Dallas CowboysNFC CB2: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ersNFC CB3: Devon Witherspoon, Seattle SeahawksVacchiano: With eight interceptions and an NFL-record five pick-sixes, Bland isn't just a Pro Bowler, he's a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. There's no arguing with that production, especially after he was thrust into a bigger role in the Dallas D when they lost to a torn ACL. Ward has been outstanding too, but his four interceptions and one pick-six can't measure up to Bland's production. Meanwhile, Witherspoon has been the best of what was supposed to be a loaded rookie CB cla s.Daron Bland, Aaron Rodgers & Atlanta Falcons headline Dave Helman's Naughty List AFC CB1: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, New York JetsAFC CB2: Darious Williams, Jacksonville JaguarsAFC CB3: Derek Stingley Jr., Houston TexansArthur: Gardner hasn't performed at the caliber of his historic rookie season, but he has still played at a high level in a very good Jets secondary. Williams has been the best cornerback in the NFL this year that no one talks about, ranked second in pa s breakups (19) and tied for fourth in interceptions (4). Then there's Stingley, who's started to live up to the hype as the No. 3 pick in last year's draft. He has four interceptions in the last five games and has allowed just a 58.9 pa ser rating when targeted this year, which ranks sixth among cornerbacks that have played at least 225 coverage snaps, according to Next Gen Stats.SafetiesNFC S1: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay BuccaneersNFC S2: Je sie Bates III, Atlanta FalconsAuman: Safety is the NFC South's strong suit, with arguably the game's two best at the position. Bates, the prize of Atlanta's free-agent haul in March, has stepped up with five interceptions (including a huge pick-six) and three forced fumbles to lead the Falcons' improved defense. Winfield, a precocious leader since winning the Super Bowl as a rookie, has done a little of everything for the Bucs defense five forced fumbles, three recoveries, four sacks and two interceptions, a super-versatile, fill-the-boxscore ballhawk in the mold of Ronde Barber. He would be one of the league's most coveted free agents, but expect the Bucs to lock him up before he hits the market.AFC S1: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore RavensAFC S2: Jevon Holland, Miami DolphinsArthur: Hamilton and Holland are rising stars at safety. Hamilton gives the Ravens' elite defense a special dimension with his rare size and length for a safety, with his versatility and proficiency as a blitzer. Among safeties, the 2022 14th overall pick is tied for second in sacks (3) and fourth in pa s breakups (9). A second-round pick in 2021, Holland has allowed a 57.1% completion rate when targeted as the near defender, which ranks ninth in the league among safeties who've played at least 300 coverage snaps, according to Next Gen Stats.Ravens vs. 49ers in Week 16: Who has the edge? Kickers and puntersNFC K: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas CowboysAFC K: Dustin Hopkins, Cleveland BrownsNFC P: Bryan Anger, Dallas CowboysAFC P: Ryan Stonehouse, Tenne see TitansVacchiano: You can't argue with perfection, and Aubrey became the first kicker in NFL history to make the first 31 field goals of his career, including eight from 50 yards-plus. He has become a real weapon in Dallas. Hopkins hasn't been nearly as automatic, but he is 8-for-8 from 50-plus and 18-of-21 on field goals 40 yards or longer. Meanwhile, Anger leads the NFL with 46 yards per punt. The underrated Stonehouse is right behind at 44.3. More than half of his kicks (52.8 percent) have been downed inside the 20.These rankings were compiled by:AFC South reporter Ben Arthur (@benyarthur)NFC South reporter Greg Auman (@gregauman)AFC East reporter Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis)NFC West reporter Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams)NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano)NFC North reporter Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) Fredrik Olofsson Jersey