Dak Prescott, QB, first Pro Bowl selection: Prescott becomes the first rookie quarterback in Dallas Cowboys history to be selected to the Pro Bowl after establishing team rookie records in yards, touchdowns, attempts, completions and, most importantly, wins. From the moment Kellen Moore went down in training camp and Tony Romo went down in the preseason, Prescott has answered the call. Given what he has done in taking over for Romo, it's impossible to think he wouldn't have been picked.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, first Pro Bowl selection: He leads the NFL in rushing with 1,551 yards and needs 258 yards in the final two games to break Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards. A hamstring limited Elliott's work in the preseason. It carried over into the early part of the regular season, but he has seven 100-yard games and has set the tone for the Cowboys' success. He broke Tony Dorsett's team rookie records for yards and rushing touchdowns.
Tyron Smith, LT, fourth Pro Bowl selection: Smith missed two games this season due to back issues but has continued his dominant performances. The success of Elliott and Prescott can be attributed to the work of the line. Smith has done a better job of handling the smaller pass-rushers than in years past and, at just 26 years old, could threaten the team Pro Bowl record of 11 selections set by Bob Lilly.
Travis Frederick, C, third Pro Bowl selection: The Cowboys were criticized when they took him late in the first round in 2013, but Frederick has more than justified the pick with his third trip to the all-star game. The Cowboys rewarded him over the summer with a contract through 2023 that included $28 million in guarantees. With a rookie quarterback, Frederick has taken on added responsibility in some of the line calls this season.
Zack Martin, G, third Pro Bowl selection: If Martin isn't the best guard in the NFL, then he's the second-best. He plays with remarkable leverage and balance. He does not get overpowered and has gone against some top-flight defensive tackles, such as Gerald McCoy, Fletcher Cox and Geno Atkins. The Cowboys will exercise his fifth-year option next spring but have hopes of signing him to a long-term deal next summer, like they did with Frederick last August.
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Sean Lee: How does this happen after Lee finished second in the fan vote? He is penalized to a degree because there is no designation made between an outside linebacker in a 3-4, which is effectively a defensive end spot, and an outside linebacker in a 4-3. Lee leads the Cowboys in tackles (168 by the coaches' count) and 12 tackles for loss. In the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants, he set a franchise record with 22 tackles. A year ago, Lee was a Pro Bowl snub but was added as an injury replacement. This year, he hopes to not play in the Pro Bowl because the Cowboys will be in Super Bowl LI, but if they don't make it, he has to end up in Orlando as a replacement again. At some point, however, he has to make the team from the outset.