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: ATLANTA FALCONS
JULIO JONES
The Atlanta Falcons traded five picks to acquire Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft, a draft selection well spent. In August, the Falcons signed Jones to a five-year, $71.25 million extension, a franchise’s revenue well spent. In four year and a half seasons, Julio Jones has established himself as one of the game’s most dominant wideouts. Because of his equally-superb contemporaries, Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown and Demaryius Thomas, Jones hasn’t received the same amount of admiration in the past two years. Hampered by injury in 2013, Jones quietly had an excellent 2014 campaign with 104 receptions, 1,593 yards and six touchdowns. So far this season, he leads the league with 70 catches and 892 yards while sitting second among receivers with six touchdowns. On pace for a gaudy 140-catch output, Jones has clearly made his case for being the best receiver in football.
DEVONTA FREEMAN
I knew that Devonta Freeman would be a steal for the Falcons the moment he was drafted 103rd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. After being running back for the Jameis Winston-led Florida State Seminoles championship squad in 2013, Freeman was used sparingly as a rookie. In 2015, he leads the NFL in attempts (152), yards (709) and touchdowns (9). What’s mind-boggling is that he has more rushing scores individually than 28 other teams in the league. He’s currently on pace for 1,418 yards and a staggering 18-touchdown season. A solid contributor in the passing game also (353 yards and a score on 40 catches), Freeman is in the conversation for not only a Pro Bowl selection, but also for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year honor.
PATRICK DIMARCO
For a position that is virtually nonexistent in modern-day football, fullback Patrick DiMarco has made the most of his playing time. The 26-year-old was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2011 before going to the Kansas City Chiefs and ultimately landing with the Falcons in 2013. DiMarco has been the lead blocker for breakout ballcarrier Devonte Freeman, providing key blocks for big runs. He’s also been rated the top fullback in the game by Pro Football Focus. The greater Freeman’s production is, the greater DiMarco’s chances are in becoming Atlanta’s first Pro Bowl fullback since Ovie Mughelli in 2010.
If we allowed a fourth player on this list, tackle Jake Matthews would definitely make it; the leap he’s made in his sophomore season has greatly benefited the offense.
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