Gerald McCoy, DT, fifth Pro Bowl selction: McCoy currently leads the Bucs with seven sacks, which is tied with Aaron Donald for second-most among defensive tackles in the league, and a half-sack behind league leader Geno Atkins. Since McCoy's first Pro Bowl season in 2012, McCoy has the second-most sacks by a defensive tackle (38 1/2) and the fifth-most tackles for loss (50). McCoy also has two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two batted-down passes this season.
Mike Evans, WR, first Pro Bowl selection: If Evans didn't reach the Pro Bowl, it would have been downright criminal. Even though he hasn't reached the end zone the last three weeks, he's been virtually unstoppable for much of the season, and he did it against some of the best secondaries, including 104 yards and two touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks. Evans' 1,159 receiving yards are currently fifth in the league among receivers and his 10 receiving touchdowns are tied for third with Odell Beckham Jr. Speaking of OBJ, Evans has produced his own share of jaw-dropping catches this year. Evans has 84 catches and 74 of them have resulted in first downs, more than any other receiver in the league.
ALTERNATES
Kwon Alexander, MLB: The second-year middle linebacker was named an alternate but should have gotten the nod. He leads the NFL with 97 solo tackles and is fifth with 125 combined. He is also the only NFL linebacker with 100 combined tackles and at least one sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and a defensive touchdown. He and Bobby Wagner, who was named to the Pro Bowl for the NFC, are the only two linebackers in the league to record 15-plus tackles in two or more games this year.
Lavonte David, WLB: David was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season and had been named a first-team All-Pro in 2013. David's overall numbers may be down this year, as he's battled shoulder and hamstring injuries and his role changed under new defensive coordinator Mike Smith, but he's come through with big plays in big moments, like his fumble recovery on the final drive against the Kansas City Chiefs to seal the victory, pick-sixing Philip Rivers and forcing a Jimmy Graham fumble.
Brent Grimes, CB: Grimes, a 10-year veteran, already has four Pro Bowls under his belt. He leads the NFC with 22 pass breakups, which is second in the NFL, just behind Casey Hayward, who did receive a Pro Bowl invite. What stats don't necessarily highlight are the touchdown-saving tackles he makes. In the Carolina game, he stopped Fozzy Whittaker on the 1-yard line after a 16-yard run and then intercepted Greg Olsen in the end zone.
Bryan Anger, P: Anger is infamously known as the "punter drafted ahead of Russell Wilson." But in his first year with the Bucs, he's been a stud. His 29 punts inside the 20 are fifth in the NFL and his 42.0 net punting average is tied for fifth in the league. He's also helped the Bucs' punt coverage unit allow just 5.6 yards per punt, fourth-lowest in the NFL.
SNUBS
Cameron Brate, TE: Brate wasn't even named an alternate, yet he has seven touchdown catches, tied for most in the league by a tight end. This is a clear case of people just not being aware of who Brate is, and the Bucs are just starting to receive regular national attention. His value to this team, especially with so many injuries at receiver, can't be stated enough. If he does it consistently, the league will begin to take notice.