The 5 best active NFL players who've never made a Pro Bowl

The NFL Pro Bowl selection is more art than science.

Mistakes are always made with players who are, and aren't, chosen to play in the exhibition game. Nostalgia clouds judgment and players are voted for because of who they used to be, not who they are now. Some players aren't recognized because they play in a small market or for an unsuccessful team or just because they don't have the name recognition as the superstars in the league.

And some great players are overlooked for their entire careers, for any number of those reasons.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is one of the league's great underrated and unappreciated players. He's overcome three torn ACL's - a feat no one else has achieved - and is still playing at a high level at 32 years old.

However, he has never been voted to a Pro Bowl until this season, where his 11-year drought was finally brought to an end.

Here are five best active players who have also been snubbed throughout their careers:

We are only considering players who've been "snubbed" more than once during their careers.

Lavonte David

As a 4-3 outside linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Lavonte David is lumped in with pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebackers that receive more recognition because of their greater licence to rack up sacks.

However, David is one of the highest-paid 4-3 linebackers for a reason. He made the NFL All-Pro team in 2014 after a sensational sophomore season because of his great all-around playmaking ability.

David has made 556 total career tackles, registered 12 sacks, and intercepted nine passes in less than four seasons.

While he could be called up for his first Pro Bowl honor this season after being made a first alternative, that isn't a fitting enough tribute for one of the best young defensive players in the league today.

Delanie Walker

Last season, Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker ranked fourth in receiving yards among his position (890). A year later, Walker has had an even better season. He leads all tight ends with 76 catches, and trails only Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen in terms of receiving yards.

Walker has been one of the best tight ends in the league for two straight years, but because of a lack of exposure, he continues to be underrated.

With Marcus Mariota looking like a franchise quarterback, bringing the spotlight to Tennessee, Walker could soon be taking the trip to Hawaii.

Harrison Smith

One day Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith will be a Pro Bowler, but it won't be this year after he has been snubbed for the second consecutive season. After an All-Pro caliber season in 2014, Harrison has cemented himself as one of the league's premier safeties.

Once again, name recognition and a small market have played a part in his lack of Pro Bowl berths. This season is easier to understand, with nagging injuries robbing him of several games. However, he has still played to a high level when he's been on the field.

Smith has intercepted 11 passes (five in 2014), made 309 tackles during his four-year career, and has been instrumental in turning the Vikings' defense into one of the best young defenses in the league. Smith's time will come.

Jurrell Casey

Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is the best defensive player you've probably never heard of.

The 26-year-old registered 10.5 sacks in 2013 and has maintained his excellent play on the field despite decreasing numbers.

Toiling away in relative obscurity in Tennessee, and playing on only one team with a winning record in his five-year career has meant he has only been listed as an alternative for the Pro Bowl, never playing in the game.

Casey has actually refused the call-up to the game after other players were unable to play. He has been named an alternate for this season's Pro Bowl and said he will play if he is called up this year. However, Casey should have been a first-choice player before this at some point in his career.

Marques Colston

Colston may not be a Pro Bowl caliber player anymore, but he deserves a mention after a career of neglect.

The Saints wide receiver is closing in on 10,000 receiving yards, 700 catches, and 70 touchdown catches in his career, but has inexplicably never made a Pro Bowl.

The 32-year-old was the main weapon in their prolific passing game until a few season ago, but has never received recognition as one of the better wide receivers of the past decade.

With so much credit going to Drew Brees and Sean Payton for crafting one of the best offenses of all time, the pieces surrounding them get dismissed as just replaceable cogs in the machine, and that notion has caused Colston to be criminally overlooked.

In 2007, he had his best argument for a Pro Bowl berth, catching 98 passes for 1,202 and 11 touchdowns.

His quiet demeanor, his status as a seventh-round draft pick, and his role as a possession receiver that didn't often make explosive plays all counted against him. With his skills declining, it's likely that Colston will never make a Pro Bowl.

Honorable mentions: Bucs WR Mike Evans, Lions LB DeAndre Levy, Vikings LB Anthony Barr, Packers DE Mike Daniels, Seahawks LB K.J. Wright