10 biggest snubs from 2021 Pro Bowl
The NFL announced its 2021 Pro Bowl rosters on Monday and not everyone was pleased with the results.
A number of players having exceptional seasons weren't invited to the event. Here are the 10 biggest snubs:
Bud Dupree, OLB, Steelers
While T.J. Watt garners all the recognition, Dupree's contributions to the pass rush are undeniable. The linebacker was off to a phenomenal start before tearing his ACL, recording eight sacks in 11 games. Dupree wasn't too happy with his snub after the reveal.
Ight G lol 🤦🏽♂️
— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) December 22, 2020
Unfortunately, he'll have to wait at least another year for his first Pro Bowl selection.
DeForest Buckner, DT, Colts
Buckner is perhaps the most irreplaceable Colt. He's been dominant in his first season in Indianapolis and he knows his stats are deserving of a Pro Bowl nod.
I never was the popular kid 🤷🏾♂️
— DeForest Buckner (@DeForestBuckner) December 22, 2020
Buckner is second to only Aaron Donald in sacks (7.5), tackles (52), and quarterback hits (24) by an interior defensive lineman.
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington
Robert Tonyan, TE, Packers
Surely the NFL could have found a better tight end representative from the NFC than Evan Engram.
The Giants tight end is third in the league with six dropped passes - many of which killed drives - and has caught just 54 of his 95 targets. Here are Engram's numbers compared to some more reliable tight ends.
| Targets | Catches | Yards | TDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engram | 95 | 54 | 572 | 1 |
| Thomas | 91 | 62 | 570 | 5 |
| Tonyan | 55 | 49 | 551 | 10 |
James Robinson, RB, Jaguars
Only three running backs have reached the 1,000-yard plateau so far this season, and one of them wasn't deemed worthy of the Pro Bowl. The Jaguars' rookie rusher was the odd man out.
Robinson trails only Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook with 1,070 rushing yards. He's found the end zone seven times this year while leading a talent-deprived Jaguars squad.
Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers only have one player in the Pro Bowl this year and his last name isn't Brady. Many of Brady's more memorable moments this season have come in the form of game-ending interceptions and postgame handshake snubs - not to mention forgetting the down in a crucial moment.
However, the GOAT still ranks fifth in the league in passing yards and fourth in touchdown passes.
J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots
Quarterbacks haven't had a hard time finding Jackson this season, but the NFL seems to have lost him.
Jackson ranks second in the NFL in interceptions (8) but was surprisingly left off the Pro Bowl roster.
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Saints
Players who can be mentioned in the same sentence as Aaron Donald deserve a ton of credit, but Hendrickson was one of the more notable Pro Bowl snubs.
NFL SACK LEADERS
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 21, 2020
Trey Hendrickson -- 12.5
Aaron Donald -- 12.5
T.J. Watt -- 12
Za'Darius Smith -- 11.5
SNAP COUNTS
Trey Hendrickson -- 535
Aaron Donald -- 767
T.J. Watt -- 739
Za'Darius Smith -- 757
The defensive end is tied with Donald for the league lead in sacks. What else does Hendrickson have to do to get some recognition?
Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
Ridley might be the loneliest wide receiver in football after he was nowhere to be found on the NFC's Pro Bowl roster.
The Falcons receiver was left off the list for Justin Jefferson despite slightly edging the rookie wideout this season.
| Name | Receiving Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|
| Calvin Ridley | 1192 | 9 |
| Justin Jefferson | 1182 | 7 |
Garrett Bolles, T, Broncos
Working in the trenches is not the easiest or flashiest job, but the NFL would be hard-pressed to find a more deserving tackle than Bolles this season.
The Broncos tackle has not only been one of the team's few bright spots this year, but he's been one of the best at his position as well. Bolles' efforts have him listed as PFF's third-highest-ranked tackle.