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: Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox
Many people felt that Fletcher Cox was snubbed from the Pro Bowl last season, but this year he isn’t giving voters a chance to do that again. He has racked up five sacks and three forced fumbles so far. On a stout defensive line in Philadelphia, Cox is easily the leader of the pack. Pro Football Focus (PFF) assigned Cox a grade of 87.1 so far, which is in their Pro Bowl range (85+). The fact that he is a 3-4 defensive end definitely hurt his chances of making the Pro Bowl last season, but this year he has done enough to overcome that. At the prime age of 25, it is time for Cox to make his first Pro Bowl.
Malcolm Jenkins
Malcolm Jenkins has never made a Pro Bowl despite very solid play during the past six years of his career. However, this season might be his chance. He is on pace to have the best statistical season of his career, and PFF has rewarded him for that with a grade of 95.9, which is the best grade for any safety in the league. Jenkins has been a turnover machine, catching one interception, forcing three fumbles, and recovering one fumble after eight games this year. He has also racked up 41 tackles, which is on pace for the highest total of his career by far. Obviously he is stout in run support, but PFF assigned him a grade of 90.0 for his coverage abilities as well. If he continues to create turnovers and displays solid coverage skills (besides the last Cowboys game), he should be a lock for the Pro Bowl.
Brandon Graham
This last spot came down to Brandon Graham and Walter Thurmond, but I’m giving the slight edge to Graham because I would be extremely surprised if the Eagles landed two of the six Pro Bowl safety spots. Brandon Graham got off to a slow start, but he has rebounded with four sacks in his last five games. If he can continue to get after the quarterback and put up numbers, he has a chance to sneak into the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Considering his previous career high for sacks in a season was 5.5, this year has been huge for Graham. PFF assigned him a grade of 81.7, which is below the Pro Bowl threshold, but the slow start has kept his grade lower than it has been in the past few games. There are many talented edge rushers in the league though, so Graham has quite the challenge ahead of him.
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