Now that we are about halfway through the regular season, it is time to start considering which players are deserving of a Pro Bowl selection. 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: HOUSTON TEXANS
DEANDRE HOPKINS
The Houston Texans may be struggling this year, but wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is having himself a nice season. Through eight games the former Clemson Tiger has tallied 66 receptions (fifth), 870 yards (third) and six touchdowns (tied for 10th, trails leader by three). He had a crucial touchdown catch in the Texans surprise 10-6 win over the previously undefeated Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Nuk’s numbers may have dipped a bit the last two weeks, but he is still one of the better receivers in the league, and with every other team in the NFL already having played at least nine games this season, Monday night’s contest will allow Hopkins to add to his stats. Plus, keep in mind that Hopkins has had Ryan Mallet and Brian Hoyer as his quarterbacks this season. While Hopkins may not be the best receiver in the AFC yet (that distinction probably belongs to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown), he has been one of the better receivers in the NFL this season and it is entirely possible that he makes the Pro Bowl.
J.J. WATT
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt may not be having as dominant a season as he did in 2014, but he is still one of, if not the, best defensive players in the NFL. In 2015 Watt has amassed 40 tackles (second on the team), 8.5 sacks (leads Texans, tied for second in the league), nine tackles for loss (leads Houston), five passes defended (tied for second on team), and one forced fumble.
Last season the 6’5”, 289 pound defensive end finished with 78 tackles, and 20.5 sacks. Watt was easily named the Defensive Player of the Year, and he may have won MVP honors as well if Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hadn’t put together the incredible season he did. Watt may be on pace to come up short against his 2014 numbers, but he is still the best defensive player on the Texans, and possibly in the NFL. He will absolutely make the Pro Bowl this season.
BRIAN CUSHING
Houston linebacker Brian Cushing is a former Pro Bowl selection and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former USC Trojan has battled injuries, including a torn ACL in 2012 and a broken leg and torn knee ligament in 2013. But the talented linebacker has started every game for Houston in 2015, and he leads the Texans with 69 tackles, which is 29 more than J.J. Watt, who has the second most on the team. Cushing has also added a tackle for loss and two passes defended.
The hard hitting linebacker has recorded double digit tackles four times this season, including two times in the Texans past three games. If he can remain healthy, Cushing will continue to be an important part of Houston’s defense.
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