Which players were snubbed from the 2024 Pro Bowl rosters?
This week the rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl game were announced. The game caps off a week-long series of events including dodgeball, a Gridiron Gauntlet and even a new Madden NFL Head-to-Head game.
The San Francisco 49ers were awarded the most players with nine and at least eight teams are sending five players to the games. Many big names made the rosters, but many big names also missed out on a spot.
There is a limitation to positions and it is always tough to satisfy everyone with the rosters, but I’m going to look at five of the biggest snubs from the 2024 Pro Bowl rosters.
Honourable Mentions
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings – had he not suffered a late season injury he would easily have been on the NFC roster.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans – an abundance of great QBs in the AFC meant that the rookie sadly missed out.
Dustin Hopkins, K, Cleveland Browns – was 91.7% on all field goals and hit all eight from 50+ yards.
Bradley Chubb, LB, Miami Dolphins – both him and Jaelen Phillips were exceptional off the edge for the Dolphins, but season-ending injuries to both see them left out. Still deserve their flowers.
5. Zaire Franklin, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Zaire Franklin has had a fantastic season for the Colts and has led their defence superbly. He is one of the reasons why they have a shot at making the playoffs with one game left to play. Even before rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson was ruled out for the season, not many expected this Colts team to be in the running for the postseason, but they are right there with just the Houston Texans left to play this weekend.
Franklin is currently leading the league in total tackles with 170 and is second in solo tackles with 104. He has also forced two fumbles and overall has manned the field for the Colts defence. Unfortunately, he misses out with the Baltimore Ravens’ duo of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, who have both been exceptional themselves, being named to the Pro Bowl.
The Colts need a win this weekend to continue their season and Franklin is a reason they are in this position right now.
4. Kevin Dotson, G, Los Angeles Rams
LA made a trade in early August to bring in Kevin Dotson from Pittsburgh in return for a fourth and fifth round pick. The stability on the offensive line allowed for the rise of Kyren Williams and Dotson is a key reason for opening those opportunities that Williams took.
On the season he allowed just seven hits on his quarterback and three of those came against the stellar Ravens’ defence. Royce Freeman ran for 317 yards as backup and with Williams missing time, Darrell Henderson Jr. returned to the roster and scored two touchdowns in four games.
Matt Stafford and Puka Nacua made the Pro Bowl roster alongside Williams. Without Dotson and that o-line, those three probably don’t hit the highs that they did.
3. Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets
Before there is any confusion, his brother and teammate Quinnen Williams made the AFC roster, but this is about why Quincy Williams should feature with his brother in the Pro Bowl game. The Jets offense has struggled this year, but their defence has actually played well and kept them competitive at least.
On the season so far, he is 14th in total tackles with 131, fifth in solo tackles with 91. In coverage he has been strong as well, registering 10 passes defended and an interception to go with. With Quinnen being so good since entering the league, some may have forgotten about Quincy but now is his time to shine.
If Aaron Rodgers is back to a good standard next season, the Jets defence has enough about them to mount a playoff push.
2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were at a point in the middle of the season where it looked like everything was falling apart and questions were being asked throughout the organisation. Four straight wins, including beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, have them occupying the six seed in the AFC. Even with a loss this weekend, they have a 67% chance of playing in the postseason.
Josh Allen maybe misses out due to only three quarterbacks being selected for each conference. Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa are pretty much locks, with the final spot being taken by Patrick Mahomes. Allen is seventh in passing yards with 3947, tied-seventh with 27 touchdowns and is joint-first in rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks with 15.
Allen’s play midseason did dip, but his performances in the last month have seen the Bills fly up the rankings and have gone from a potential shock to miss out on the postseason, to a team that no one will want to face in the form they are in.
The Bills face the Miami Dolphins this weekend and winner takes the division. Allen shows up and taking home field advantage would be huge off the back of five straight wins.
1. Antonie Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Taking the top spot is Antoine Winfield Jr. and Antoine Winfield Sr. had a lot to say on his Instagram about his son missing out. Winfield Jr. has been one of the best safeties in the league and like others named, is one of the key reasons why a team that was expected to struggle are in with a chance at the playoffs.
So far, he has 117 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles and four recovered fumbles. In coverage he also has added three interceptions and 12 passes defended. All season he has been flying around in the Tampa Bay secondary and causing mayhem, making it even more of a mystery to not see his name on the NFC roster.
Budda Baker and Julian Love made the roster. Both are good players and are having good seasons, it just feels extremely difficult to not have Winfield Jr. named to the NFC roster. Here is what his dad had to say on his son missing out.
