Now that we are about halfway through the regular season, it is time to start considering which players are deserving of the Pro Bowl. For this series, we will look at the three most deserving candidates for each team. Obviously, some teams will have more or less than three players selected to the Pro Bowl, but for simplicity purposes, we will discuss the top three either way.
TOP MIDSEASON PRO BOWL CANDIDATES: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CAMERON JORDAN
The New Orleans Saints have struggled mightily defensively this season, currently sitting 31st in the league in total defense, but defensive end Cameron Jordan has been the team’s brightest light on that side of the ball. Halfway through 2015, Jordan has compiled 17 tackles, six sacks, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble; he only had 7.5 takedowns for the entire 2014 campaign. In four and a half years, Jordan has accumulated 136 tackles, 35 sacks, 23 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. He has the chance to set new career highs in each of the aforementioned categories, especially surpassing the 12.5-sack effort he accomplished in his lone Pro Bowl season of 2013. Ranked as the number one edge defender by the popular analytics site, Pro Football Focus, Jordan’s services will be increasingly needed.
HAU’OLI KIKAHA
Inside linebacker Stephone Anthony and cornerback Delvin Breaux have made splashes during their rookie seasons, but outside backer Hau’oli Kikaha has been the most impactful of the first-year defenders. At the end of Week 7, Kikaha was ranked the 18th-best linebacker by Pro Football Focus. He has four games with at least four tackles and one sack. Kikaha is on pace to record 50 tackles, eight sacks and six forced fumbles. With Jordan causing disruption along the defensive line, the Saints pass rushing ability is trending upward.
WILLIE SNEAD
It’s not surprising that Willie Snead has the capability to catch the football as a wide receiver. What’s surprising is that he was not expected to make the roster come opening day. An undrafted free agent in 2014, Snead was quickly signed by the Cleveland Browns for preseason. After being released by the team, he bounced around from the New York Giants to the Carolina Panthers before joining the Saints practice squad last December. After an eye-opening preseason, coach Sean Payton was impressed with his efforts. According to SportingCharts, Snead has only dropped one pass on 53 targets this season. With 35 receptions thus far, he has admirably contributed in the possession role Lance Moore fulfilled for several years. On pace for 70 receptions, 1,062 yards and six touchdowns, Snead may legitimately be selected to go to Honolulu.
Terron Armstead has established himself as one of the elite left tackles in the game–boasting a grade of 93 by Pro Football Focus–but he barely missed this list. PFF dubbed Delvin Breaux as a top-tier corner in mid October, but his struggles in consecutive weeks crushed his Midseason Pro Bowl status.
Main Photo:
