The 2020 Pro Bowl rosters are out, and even though the game has gone virtual this year, the usual suspects made the team, including MVP candidates Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Russell Wilson. The Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens each had a league-best seven players named to the Pro Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, didn't have any players named to the roster for only the third time in team history.
The on-field Pro Bowl game was canceled, the NFL announced in October, as the league focuses on completing its regular season and postseason amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the first time since the 1949 season that the NFL hasn't had a postseason all-star game. Pro Bowl week will instead feature Madden matchups between current players, former players, celebrities and EA Sports Madden NFL 21 video game streamers using the two Pro Bowl teams. Players will also participate in a Madden Pro Bowl.
Which players were snubbed in the Pro Bowl roster release? What else was surprising about the teams? We asked our NFL experts to weigh in, with fantasy football writer Mike Clay picking four snubs and the rest of our panel answering questions. Check out their responses below.
Clay's top Pro Bowl snubs
1. DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts
Buckner was arguably the best player on the NFC champion 49ers last season, his value was shown when he was traded for the 13th pick of April's draft, and he has been a key reason that the Colts' defense has made the leap to one of the league's best in 2020. Buckner ranks sixth among all interior defensive linemen in pass-rush wins (30) and no lower than fourth in tackles (52), sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (11) and hurries (24). How did this guy not make the Pro Bowl? It's egregious.
2. Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals
Bates has emerged as one of the league's best safeties and should've been a lock for the AFC squad. He sits first among safeties in passes defensed (14), sixth in interceptions (three) and eighth in tackles (91). The 2018 second-round pick has played 99% of the Bengals' offensive snaps and is Pro Football Focus' top-graded safety.
3. Garett Bolles, OT, Denver Broncos
After three solid seasons as Denver's left tackle, Bolles has made the leap to stardom. The 20th overall pick in the 2017 draft sits ninth among offensive tackles in pass block win rate (92.7%), and his career-high 89.2 PFF grade ranks third among tackles. Also a strong run-blocker, the anchor of Denver's line is in the midst of an all-pro campaign.
4. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Robinson must be used to being disrespected at this point. The Illinois State product went undrafted in April before latching on with the Jaguars and quickly replacing Leonard Fournette as the team's workhorse. He ranks in the top five at his position in snaps (612), touches (290), scrimmage yards (1,414), total touchdowns (10), carries (240), rushing yards (1,070), receptions (49) and, yes, fantasy points (250). Robinson has played a massive 70% of Jacksonville's snaps and has handled 87% of the team's designed rushes. His lack of pedigree is the only reason he isn't on the Pro Bowl roster.
What surprised you most about the Pro Bowl roster release?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Not seeing Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the AFC Pro Bowl roster, like Mike mentioned above. Buckner has 7.5 sacks this season, and his ability to create interior disruption shows up consistently. Power, counters and an explosive first step -- he's one of the top defenders I've studied this season.
Tristan H. Cockcroft, fantasy football writer: Evan Engram over Logan Thomas? That one doesn't make much sense to me. I'd probably choose Rob Gronkowski before Engram. Thomas has superior receiving numbers for the season, and Engram is tied for the positional lead in drops (six).
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: I agree with Bowen and Clay on Buckner not being on the list. He has been one of the best players in football this season, totally remodeling Indianapolis' defense. He's deserving of a spot alongside Chris Jones and Cam Heyward in the AFC. On the other side, Roquan Smith was a sizable miss at NFC linebacker.
Eric Karabell, fantasy football writer: How did Jalen Hurts not make it after his amazing December debut? Can't they see his numbers? Eh, can't say much surprised me. It was good to see a few very deserving rookies make it, and the top teams are well represented.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: You want an honest answer? I'm surprised that so many people cared about the roster release. COVID-19 restrictions forced the game to be canceled, shifting the focus to how haphazard the selection process is. The NFL thinks it's fun to debate the "snubs," and though no team can be perfect, years of comical "snubs" diminish the credibility of this process to me. Bah humbug.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: How did the Giants' Evan Engram make it in the NFC? Among tight ends, he is seventh in the NFL in receiving yards (572) and sixth in receptions (54), and he has only one touchdown. He's also a below-average blocker. I don't see any part of his game that deserves to be in the Pro Bowl.
Pick one player who didn't make this Pro Bowl roster but will make it for the 2021 season.
Bowen: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, New Orleans Saints. With competitive juice and an urgent playing style, Gardner-Johnson has the traits to make the leap next year as a productive tone-setter in the Saints' secondary. Cover, find the ball, blitz. He's a versatile player in a scheme that will cater to his traits.
Cockcroft: This has been one heckuva rookie wide receiver class, so I think that's a good place to look. The Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb stands out, given that his team's offense should be much better with a healthy Dak Prescott back under center (and yes, I'm figuring that the Cowboys will pay up to keep him). It's fantasy numbers, sure, but they reflect receiving prowess: Lamb was 11th in the league when Prescott was lost for the season.
Fowler: Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'll be 31 next season but will keep playing Pro Bowl-caliber football, despite no selections since 2015. The long-time Bucs captain is continually underappreciated.
Karabell: Well, Jalen Hurts, of course. OK, seriously, I think at least one of the second-year AFC star quarterbacks will make it, probably the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, but fellow top-10 picks Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) and Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) are going to be great, too.
Seifert: Antoine Winfield Jr, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Winfield has proven himself to be every bit the playmaker the Bucs hoped for when they made him a second-round draft pick last spring. He has three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception -- the kind of numbers that will make him noticeable to voters who are more familiar with him in future years.
Tannenbaum: Trey Hendrickson, DE, New Orleans Saints. He's tied for the league lead in sacks (12.5), and he has done that in 230 fewer snaps than co-leader Aaron Donald. Hendrickson, a third-round pick in 2017, always had the motor, and now he has the production to show for it. He should make it next year.