Open up the locker room, and you will discover multiple Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl selections. Through the first seven weeks of the season, some names are beginning to look like front runners for a bid. Other players remain right on the cusp of a potential selection. Although it’s only been a couple of weeks, some Cowboys can’t help but make the prediction list of the 2023 Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl selections.
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Predicting the 2023 Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl Selections
Edge Micah Parsons
It will be a cold day in Hell when Micah Parsons does not make a Pro Bowl. Parsons is continuing to dominate opposing quarterbacks, only going two games without a sack so far. San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams held Parsons in check on during Week 5, but let’s not forget, it’s Trent Williams. Five sacks through six games puts him on pace to finish the season with nearly 15 sacks.
Parsons’ numbers alone don’t make him a Pro Bowler, it’s also his intimidation factor. Since Week 1, opposing linemen have been false-starting when they see agent 11 lined up against them. Parsons remains among the NFL’s most intimidating defenders, and should be considered a Pro Bowl lock.
Edge DeMarcus Lawrence
Today’s NFL leaves the average fan thinking that it’s more about the numbers than the impact. DeMarcus Lawrence doesn’t have double-digit sacks and quarterback hits right now, but the impact has been substantial. At the moment, Lawrence is the second highest rated edge defender in the NFL, with a 91.9 PFF ranking. The only player above him is all-world pass rusher Nick Bosa. Number three is Myles Garrett.
Lawrence is no stranger to the Pro Bowl, making the cut in 2017, 2018, and 2022. If the trend continues, 2023 will be another Pro Bowl-caliber year for Lawrence. He’s shown his worth as a run-stopper and a pass-rusher, playing up to his contract. Remaining number two between Bosa and Garrett is an incredibly impressive feat for a 31-year-old edge rusher. The stats are there, the production is there, and Lawrence should be one of the Cowboys there at the 2023 Pro Bowl.
CB Daron Bland
Sometimes, you have to close a door to open a window. While the door is only closed on Trevon Diggs for this season due to his ACL injury, Bland has beyond proven his worth. Through five weeks, Bland remains tied for the league leader with interceptions. Three picks through six weeks, and it could be five if not for badly tipped balls. Daron Bland’s first Pro Bowl selection would light a fire under the Cowboys defensive bench.
A PFF grade of 77.9 puts him over cornerbacks like Darius Slay, Pat Surtain II, and Marcus Peters. Impressive, considering those names were all once First-Team All-Pro cornerbacks. His skyrocket to stardom and excellent play in Diggs’ absence proves that Bland is the next generation of sticky-handed CB. The Cowboys Pro Bowl selections in 2023 are likely to be incredulous if Bland isn’t selected.
Cowboys on the Cusp of a Pro Bowl Selection
K Brandon Aubrey
If you forgot your glasses, you might think K Brandon Aubrey is the second coming of Dan Bailey. Dallas hasn’t always had good luck with kickers, and very few have ever found their way to the Pro Bowl. Aubrey might break that trend, as his performance has been stellar since he was plucked from the MLS league. Aubrey’s transition from Soccer to Football is reminiscent of Josh Lambo, one of the most underrated kickers to grace the NFL. Aubrey’s statistics aren’t full of big numbers, but consistent ones.
16/16 on Field Goals, 12/13 on Extra Points, 2/2 50+ yard kicks made. Not too shabby for a former goalie.
Aubrey remains just on the cusp simply due to the lack of kickers typically selected. Through 25 years, the great Morten Anderson only earned seven Pro Bowl selections. That’s an average of one Pro Bowl every three and a half years. As well as Brandon Aubrey is playing, he’s going to need to break the NFL to make his first Cowboys Pro Bowl.
LT Tyler Smith
During 2021’s NFL Draft, Tyler Smith was the recipient of brutal and unrelenting criticism. Cowboys fans called the pick horrible and a waste of a first-round pick. They would be kissing Smith’s cleats if they knew just how well he was going to end up playing. Smith is currently rated as an 84.2 on PFF, only two points lower than the NFL’s current leader, Kevin Dotson. Smith’s biggest issue remains his run blocking. For the moment, he is rated 10th in the NFL in terms of run blocking. Smith must rise to at least number five to be a clear-cut pro bowler. Given his consistency, it’s absolutely plausible. Until this happens, Cowboys fans shouldn’t consider Smith as a Pro Bowl lock.
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Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
