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 offense for my 2020 All-Underrated Team.
You can see my All-Underrated Defense here.
QB – Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
I’ve already said that Tannehill deserves to be considered amongst the top tier of NFL quarterbacks. There have been some great AFC quarterbacks this year, but he should have been considered for the Pro Bowl too. After Week 15, Tannehill leads the NFL in EPA per play and Play Success Rate. He has passed for 3,482 yards, ranking fourth in yards per attempt at 8.1. He has thrown 31 touchdowns and just five picks, ranking behind only Rodgers and Mahomes in touchdown/interception ratio.
RB – David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Montgomery has quietly been putting together a strong season for the Bears. He’s racked up 906 yards and six touchdowns and is averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. He has also added a further 349 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Most impressive is how elusive he has been with the ball in his hands. 673 of his yardage (74.2 per cent) has come after contact, ranking ahead of the likes of Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Dalvin Cook. He has also forced 61 missed tackles as a runner and receiver, tied for the most in the NFL.
WR – Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
The second Bear to make this list, Robinson has been one of the league’s most underrated receivers for a number of years. Despite consistently poor quarterback play he has produced. Robinson has racked up 1,110 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. He leads the league in contested catches (20) and ranks second in receptions of 15+ yards (31). He’s been one of the league’s most sure-handed players too, with a single drop on his 132 targets this season.
WR – Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans
It’s been a long time coming, but the former No. 5 overall pick is having a breakout season. Davis has caught 77.9 per cent of his 77 targets this season, going for 945 yards and five touchdowns. He is one of just two receivers with at least 75 targets to be averaging over 15 yards per catch. Davis also leads the league in yards per route run at 2.86. The last six receivers to do this have all made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro Teams. He has averaged a passer rating when targeted of 139.4 and has a single drop all season.
TE – Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Tonyan has come out of nowhere to rank amongst the NFL’s top tight ends this season. He has 49 catches for 551 yards and leads all tight ends with 10 receiving touchdowns. He has caught 90.7 of his targets – the next best amongst tight ends with 50+ targets is Travis Kelce at 77.2 per cent. Tonyan has been a legitimate deep threat for the Packers, with four touchdowns coming on throws of 20+ yards. His passer rating when targeted of 148.8 leads all tight ends with over 20 catches and he hasn’t dropped a pass all year.
FB – Andy Janovich, Cleveland Browns
Given that only a handful of teams use fullbacks these days, there isn’t an obvious snub from the Pro Bowl. That said, Janovich should certainly have been in contention. He isn’t used much as a runner or receiver, but he gets the job done in the trenches. His 68.6 PFF run-blocking grade ranks second amongst fullbacks, behind only Baltimore’s Patrick Ricard.
LT – Garrett Boles, Denver Broncos
This isn’t a name I would have expected to make this list at the start of the season. Boles has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2020 season, turning into a solid pass-protecting left tackle. Boles has allowed just 11 pressures on 521 pass-blocking snaps this season. This ranks third amongst tackles and he is one of only two tackles with 500+ pass-blocking snaps to not allow a sack. He also ranks as PFF’s fifth highest graded run-blocking tackle in 2020. He should be one of the more in-demand free agents this offseason.
RT – Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wirfs has been absolutely excellent for the Bucs this season. I considered Michael Onwenu here but Wirfs makes the list for his strong performances in both the passing game and the running game. He has allowed just 19 pressures on his 605 pass-blocking snaps. His allowed pressure rate ranks sixth amongst all tackles, even more impressive as he is one of just 10 players with 600+ pass-blocking snaps. Wirfs has been a solid run-blocker too, ranking 20th in PFF run-blocking grade. It won’t happen, but Wirfs should be a leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
LG – Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Nothing has gone right for the Cowboys this season, but Martin continues to be one of the best linemen in the NFL. 2020 marks the first time in his career he has not made the Pro Bowl but this is arguably the best season of his career. He’s been pretty effective as a pass-protector, but his run-blocking has been some of the best in the NFL. He’s been a consistent presence upfront for the Cowboys and his 92.2 PFF run-blocking grade ranks second amongst all offensive linemen.
RG – Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns
After an underwhelming first two seasons in the NFL, Teller has blossomed into one of, if not the, best offensive linemen in the country this season. Much like Zack Martin, his strength has come through the running game and he is a key part of the Browns’ bulldozing ground game. He leads all linemen with a PFF run-blocking grade of 93.6, the highest mark since Jason Kelce in 2017. He has been a decent pass-protector too, allowing just 10 pressures in his 10 games. Per PFF, he is the second highest graded player in the entire NFL behind Aaron Rodgers.
C – Corey Linsley, Green Bay Packers
The Packers had two linemen voted to the Pro Bowl but Linsley should have been a no-brainer at center. He’s been a key figure in the Packers’ success this season and his excellence in both the passing game and running game makes him one of the best in the NFL. Linsley has allowed just two pressures all season and ranks as PFF’s highest graded run-blocking center. He also leads all centers with a PFF grade of 89.8, significantly ahead of Frank Ragnow in second place at 80.6.
