The 2016 NFL regular season has reached the halfway point for most NFL teams. As such, it’s an appropriate time to analyze which players have put together a Pro Bowl worthy campaign. For this series, the three most deserving on each team will be considered. Obviously, some teams will have more than three players selected. But for simplicity’s sake, only the top three candidates will be discussed.
With that in mind, here are the three frontrunners to make the 2016 Pro Bowl from the Arizona Cardinals.
Top Midseason Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl Candidates
David Johnson
Is there really a question that running back David Johnson is a Pro Bowl candidate? His 705 yards are the fourth most in the league, and he’s received as much as 40 fewer carries as some of the backs ahead of him. Carson Palmer might be having a bad year, but David Johnson is carrying the offense. Not only does the shifty back have 705 rushing yards, but he also has 407 receiving yards as well. He’s on pace for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and that’s pretty remarkable.
Patrick Peterson
The harsh truth is that sometimes, guys get in on name value alone. Patrick Peterson has been one of the best corners in football since he was drafted with the fifth overall pick back in 2011. Pro Football Focus has given Peterson a grade of 81.6, and despite only having two interceptions so far, he’s still among the elite defensive backs in the NFL.
Tony Jefferson
Speaking of Pro Football Focus grades, starting safety Tony Jefferson is the second highest graded safety in football. Pro Football Focus has given Jefferson a 99.4 grade against the run this year. That’s ridiculous. Like Peterson, he only has two interceptions this year, but his 48 tackles so far lead the team. This is a franchise that was expected to be much better than the have been so far this season, but you can’t blame it on the secondary.
