The Pro Bowl rosters have been announced and as always there are some surprises. The results are always skewed thanks to the public vote and the popularity contest element is clear with the inclusions of the likes of Frank Clark and Evan Engram. It is always interesting to consider the names that go under the radar and the one’s that deserved to make the lists but missed out. Here is the defense for my 2020 All-Underrated Team.
You can see my All-Underrated Offense here.
IDL – DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
Buckner has had an excellent first season with the Colts and looks well worth the first round pick they paid for him. He has provided them with a solid pass-rushing threat from the interior, generating 47 pressures on 419 pass-rushing snaps. This puts him eighth amongst interior linemen and ahead of Pro Bowlers Calais Campbell and Fletcher Cox. He has also contributed 28 defensive stops, more than any IDL voted to the Pro Bowl.
IDL – David Onyemata, New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ defensive line has been one of the best in the NFL and David Onyemata has played a big part. He’s having a career year and has been excellent against the run and the pass. He has contributed 25 defensive stops and nine tackles for loss. He’s been an excellent pass rusher too, with 41 pressures, including six sacks, on just 349 pass-rushing snaps.
EDGE – DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas might have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, but Lawrence continues to rank amongst the league’s best edge rushers. He has racked up 43 total pressures, including six sacks, on 344 pass-rushing snaps. This puts him ahead of Pro Bowlers Frank Clark, Matthew Judon, and Chase Young in both categories. He has made key plays against both the pass and the run and his 33 defensive stops rank third amongst all edge rushers, behind only T.J. Watt and Za’Darius Smith.
EDGE – Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
Burns has been one of the biggest second-year breakouts and ranks amongst the league’s best pass rushers this season. His 88.5 PFF pass rushing grade ranks eighth in the NFL. It is also higher than five of the six edge rushers on the NFC’s Pro Bowl team. He has contributed 53 total pressures and nine sacks, as well as three forced fumbles. He has just four missed tackles on 45 attempts and has made 24 defensive stops.
LB – Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
Kendricks is easily one of the NFL’s most underrated linebackers. His strength is in coverage, where he has allowed a passer rating when targeted of just 60.5, the best of any linebacker in the NFL. He has also contributed three picks and four pass-breakups, with his seven forced incompletions tied for the most amongst linebackers. His 90.7 PFF coverage grade leads all defensive players. He also leads the Vikings in defensive stops with 38.
LB – Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Davis has been a do-it-all linebacker for the Saints this season. He’s been an instrumental part of their elite run defense and ranks behind only Bobby Wagner in PFF run defense grade. He’s also been one of the league’s best blitzers, ranking second with 27 pressures, including four sacks, on just 114 pass-rushing snaps. Davis is an excellent tackler, with just eight misses on 108 attempts, and has been a solid coverage player for New Orleans too.
CB – Bryce Callahan, Denver Broncos
Callahan might not be a household name, but he is amongst the biggest snubs of the entire Pro Bowl. Before going down with an injury against the Saints in Week 12 he was playing some of the best football we’ve seen from any defensive back this season. He allowed just 199 yards on 52 targets, with two interceptions and three pass breakups. His 0.47 yards per coverage snap ranks third amongst all corners, and he has allowed a passer rating of just 46.9, the best at the position.
CB – Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Williams had an encouraging 2019 and his third season in the NFL has been even better. Jalen Ramsay gets all of the attention, but Williams’ numbers have been better in almost every category. He has allowed a completion percentage of just 48.3, ranked third amongst corners. He has four interceptions and nine pass breakups, ranked third in the NFL for forced incompletions. His 0.79 yards per coverage snap ranks 14th amongst corners.
CB – Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dean might not have had the potentially All-Pro seasons of Callahan and Williams, but he has looked great in 2020. He has built on an encouraging debut season and has posted a PFF grade of 81.3, ranked fifth amongst corners. He’s contributed a pick and six forced incompletions, and has allowed just 278 yards on 57 targets this season. He’s been an elite tackler too, with 15 defensive stops and just three misses on 52 attempts.
S – Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals
Along with Bryce Callaghan, Bates is the biggest snub of this year’s Pro Bowl. He has been the lone star on a poor Bengals defense and his 91.5 PFF grade ranks first amongst safeties. It is also good enough for fourth amongst all defensive players and 10th in the entire NFL. Bates has been one of the league’s best coverage players, contributing three picks and 11 pass breakups. His 14 forced incompletions rank third in the NFL and his passer rating allowed of 46.5 is the best amongst safeties. He has also racked up 15 defensive stops and has just 10 missed tackles on 101 attempts.
S – John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams
Nobody can match Bates’ numbers, but Johnson was definitely deserving of Pro Bowl consideration. He has allowed just 267 yards on 57 targets, with his 6.4 yards per catch allowed ranking second amongst safeties. He’s been productive at the catch point too, with an interception and seven pass breakups. His run defense and tackling are great too. Johnson has 24 defensive stops and just seven missed tackles on his 101 attempts.
