This year’s Pro Bowl roster has been announced and as always there are some interesting selections. Everyone knows that it is a glorified popularity contest that uses a few select stats to select its players. Here are the five worst picks from this year’s Pro Bowl.
You can also read my Five Biggest Snubs from the 2022 Pro Bowl.
Trevon Diggs – CB, Dallas Cowboys
Diggs has made headlines this year with his league-leading 10 interceptions, but there is far more to playing cornerback than turnovers. Whilst Diggs has been productive at the catch point, he’s also been burned downfield more than any other cornerback in football. He has allowed 899 yards this season, easily the most of any player at the position. He also ranks dead last in yards per catch (17.6) and second to last in yards per coverage snap (1.56). Diggs has also given up five touchdowns this season – only eight defensive players have allowed more.
Brian Burns – EDGE, Carolina Panthers
Whilst I can understand how Diggs’ interceptions got him a Pro Bowl nod, I have clue how Burns ended up making the cut. Amongst edge rushers he ranks 20th in pressures and 14th in sacks. He has posted a pass rush win rate of just 12% this season, which puts him 76th at the position. He’s not been any better against the run either. His 14 run stops rank 19th, whilst his 5.3% run stop rate puts him 73rd. To top it all off, Burns has missed 14.8% of his tackle attempts this year, which ranks 95th at the position.
Ryan Kelly – C, Indianapolis Colts
It feels like Kelly’s selection has far more to do with Jonathan Taylor’s production than his own on-field performances. Kelly has been a liability in pass protection this season, allowing 24 pressures. This is the second most at the position, behind only Matt Hennessy of the Falcons. His 97% pass block efficiency rating ranks 36th amongst centers. Whilst some of his fellow linemen have been assets in the Colts’ running game, the same can’t really be said for Kelly. He has earned just a 55.3 PFF run blocking grade, which ranks 32nd at the position.
Denzel Perryman – LB, Las Vegas Raiders
For some reason, the Pro Bowl seems to value linebackers by how many tackles they get. That has seen Perryman get the nod this year, despite poor all-around production. Perryman has allowed a completion rate of 80.7% on his 57 targets this season, giving up 418 yards. This includes five touchdowns, the most of any linebacker. Perryman has also allowed a passer rating of 126.5 in coverage, which is the third worst of any linebacker with at least 25 targets. He’s been decent enough against the run, but nowhere near to being one of the best linebackers in the AFC.
James Conner – RB, Arizona Cardinals
Conner has had a tonne of touchdowns this year, but that alone shouldn’t be enough to get you to the Pro Bowl. When you take that out of the equation, the rest of Conner’s numbers pale in comparison to his competition. He has averaged a paltry 3.7 yards per carry this season, which ranks 47th at the position. His 2.84 yards per contact is also way down at 32nd. His 7.5% explosive run rate ranks 52nd. Even when you factor in his goal-line heavy role in the Cardinals offense, these are disappointing numbers.
