The rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games were announced on Wednesday. Brock Purdy, Raheem Mostert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Kyren Williams are among the first-time selections. As per usual, the reveal has generated a ton of discussion. Several talents feel snubbed from the honor after stringing together outstanding campaigns. We've swiftly identified five snubs that especially rub us the wrong way.
BRANDON AIYUK, WR, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers have already clinched a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. An explosive offense that ranks fourth in scoring (29.4/game) is largely responsible for San Francisco's dominant season. The offense is loaded with playmakers and Brandon Aiyuk has arguably been their most impressive weapon.
Aiyuk ranks sixth in receiving yards (1,317) despite ranking 34th (!) in targets (101). An explosive play waiting to happen, Aiyuk's 18.3 yards per reception leads the league in that category. Aiyuk would arguably be leading the league in every major receiving department if he wasn’t sharing the ball with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel. The former Arizona State standout has been as efficient as possible. It's a shame to witness that efficiency cost him his first career Pro Bowl nod.
ANTOINE WINFIELD JR., SAF, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers are a Week 18 victory over the Carolina Panthers away from clinching the NFC South division title. The Tom Brady-less Buccaneers are a team that's surpassed expectations. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has been a standout performer.
Winfield Jr. is a versatile talent who lines up at any given position on a snap-by-snap basis based on Todd Bowles' needs. Winfield Jr’s 117 total tackles rank third among all defensive backs, trailing just Camryn Bynum (130) and Jessie Bates III (128). An outstanding blitzer, Winfield Jr. also has 5.0 sacks. Winfield Jr. has also been a turnover machine, totaling five forced fumbles, four recoveries, and three interceptions.
I don't know what Winfield Jr., whose Buccaneers appear postseason-bound, could have done differently.
ED OLIVER, DT, BUFFALO BILLS
Winners of four straight contests, the Bills are the second-hottest team in football. The Bills are storming into the postseason with purpose. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been a wrecking ball for a Sean McDermott-led stingy defense allowing a fourth-best 18.6 points per contest.
Oliver ranks second among all interior defensive tackles in sacks with 9.5. Even a half-sack against the Dolphins on Sunday would give Oliver the first double-digit sack season of his career, doubling his previous career-best total (5.0). The AFC is loaded with quality defensive tackle play, but Oliver has been among the elite throughout 2023.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN, WR, DETROIT LIONS
The Lions just claimed their first NFC North division title since 1993, ending the league's longest-lasting drought in that department. Superstar wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is a big reason why. Across the entire league, St. Brown ranks second in receptions (112), fifth in receiving yards (1,371), and fifth in touchdowns (9). St. Brown's 1,371 receiving yards ranks sixth all-time in Lions franchise history and is the most receiving yards by a Lions pass-catcher since Calvin Johnson's 1,492-yard 2013 campaign. St. Brown deserved to earn his second consecutive Pro Bowl trip.
L’JARIUS SNEED, CB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs haven't been able to rely on their typically dominant offense this season. Their offensive struggles have placed more responsibility on the defense. Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed has answered the challenge.
Sneed has routinely been tasked with covering opposing No. 1 wideouts. The former fourth-round selection out of Louisiana Tech hasn't been credited with allowing a single touchdown this season despite playing 600 snaps in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Sneed has allowed just 51.9% of targets thrown his way (42-of-81) to be converted into receptions. Sneed has been downright dominant.
