Josh Allen and DeForest Buckner headline the list of notable snubs from the 2023 Pro Bowl teams, raising eyebrows across the league. Analysts Ben Solak and Seth Walder have identified the players who should feel most disappointed by their exclusion from the AFC or NFC rosters, which were announced on Thursday morning for the upcoming 2024 season. The omissions have sparked discussions about the criteria and selection process for NFL’s all-star event.
Roquan Smith stands out after a career-defining season with Miami, where he contributed significantly to their passing game. His dynamic performance makes his absence from the Pro Bowl rosters particularly surprising. In Houston, Hunter has emerged as a formidable force in his debut season, registering 12 sacks and leading the NFL with a 27% pass rush win rate, yet he too was overlooked.
Brooks, who joined the Dolphins as a free agent, made a substantial impact on their defense, yet failed to secure a Pro Bowl spot. Similarly, running back Irving, with an impressive 5.5 yards per carry—ranking fourth amongst peers with at least 100 carries—was bypassed in favor of established stars like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
In the passing game, Brown outshone many with a yards per route run against man coverage of 3.8, surpassing McLaurin's 1.4. Yet, his efforts did not earn him a Pro Bowl nod. Meanwhile, Mayfield experienced a standout season statistically, boasting over 70% completion rate, exceeding 4,200 passing yards, and amassing 40 touchdowns, but remained unselected.
Josh Allen's pivotal role in leading the Broncos defense to a No. 1 rank in EPA per play this season was not enough to secure a spot. In contrast, Gary's inconsistency for the Packers compared to last year may explain his exclusion. Thomas and McConkey both delivered impressive performances with yards per route run ranking sixth and eighth respectively, while Young's 16.5% pressure rate ranked seventh among all pass rushers for New Orleans.
Hubbard demonstrated efficiency with an average of 4.7 yards per touch over 293 touches in a high-volume role but was not recognized with a Pro Bowl selection. Henley, despite being a relative newcomer, showed potential with his unique success as an undersized yet intelligent linebacker for 2024, indicating his future prospects for Pro Bowl recognition.
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