Several ascending talents qualified for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. That list included C.J. Stroud, Puka Nacua, Will Anderson Jr., and Devon Witherspoon, to name a few. Various budding young superstars will attempt to follow in their footsteps by being named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. We've identified five hopefuls.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Expectations are high for Indianapolis Colts sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson. The dual threat saw his rookie campaign completely derailed by a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5. It robbed the viewing public of an exciting season.
Richardson is healthy and ready to make up for lost time. The Colts are extremely invested in his development and expect to compete for the AFC South division title this season. Ironically, Gardner Minshew, who replaced the injured Richardson, was named a Pro Bowl alternate. The Colts boast an impressive offensive supporting cast that includes rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. A healthy Richardson could be a first-time Pro Bowler.
Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter flashed downright dominance at times as a rookie. The former Georgia standout appeared in 16 regular-season contests. Carter recorded 33 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 49 pressures, and was involved in three total fumbles. He’s going to be the man for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio this season now that Fletcher Cox has retired.
Carter posted a pass-rush win rate of 16%, which ranked fifth-best among all qualifying defensive tackles, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Carter earned an elite pass-rush grade of 84.6 from Pro Football Focus, finishing eighth in his position group in that category.
A Pro Bowl berth has opened up on the NFC defensive tackles list now that Aaron Donald has retired. I expect Carter to claim that spot.
Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright strung together a better rookie campaign than most realize. Wright was thrust into a lackluster situation as an immediate starter. Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields is a difficult signal-caller to block for, given his penchant for holding onto the ball.
The situation will significantly improve this season with Wright blocking for No. 1 overall quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams can be a scrambler in his own right, but his awareness to avoid pressure is night and day better than Fields' was. There's competition for offensive tackle spots on the NFC Pro Bowl squad, but Wright is going to take a sophomore step on a potentially sneaky-good Bears team.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants
It's somewhat surprising that New York Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux didn't qualify for the Pro Bowl last season after recording 11.5 sacks as a sophomore. The Pro Bowl designates "defensive ends" and "outside linebackers" as separate position groups. If Thibodeaux gets classified as the latter, two of last year's three selections, Danielle Hunter and Haason Reddick, now play in the AFC.
Thibodeaux has an elite new running mate in Brian Burns that should free up plenty of one-on-one opportunities as a pass rusher. New defensive coordinator Shane Bowen had multiple defensive linemen make the Pro Bowl as the DC of the Tennessee Titans, including Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry. Thibodeaux should be a first-time Pro Bowler this season.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has yet to be named to his first career Pro Bowl despite recording consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Wilson was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. He had 95 catches as a sophomore this past year but was denied entry.
Wilson’s numbers became even more impressive when taking into account that he’s been forced to catch passes from Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, Trevor Siemian, and Mike White. Those have essentially been his primary quarterbacks. With future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers back healthy for 2024, Wilson should take another step toward superstardom.
