Which rising stars or under-the-radar veterans are primed to earn their first career Pro Bowl nods in 2024? Kevin Patra picks out one potential candidate for each NFL team below:
Let's keep the offseason hype caravan rolling for McBride, who exploded in Year 2 with 825 yards and three touchdowns on 81 catches. The public reaction to his rise suggested the production came out of nowhere, but McBride owns a second-round pedigree, and he proved why last season. Tight ends typically take a few seasons to transition to the NFL level fully, so McBride is right on track to continue on an upward trek. The other positive for McBride is that his production increased after Kyler Murray -- who'd been out recovering from a torn ACL -- returned to the lineup last season. Working with Murray in Weeks 10-17, McBride generated 538 yards and two TDs on 53 catches. Both of his 100-plus-yard games came with Murray under center. The Cardinals added Marvin Harrison Jr. to the receiver corps, but there are still questions about that unit. McBride should be Murray's second-favorite target this season.
Frankly, I didn't even look at what options might be on the table here -- 2024 should be the Bijan show in ATL. After all the talk about the Falcons' quarterbacks this offseason, it's the running back who should unlock the offense. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson comes from the Rams, where he worked with Sean McVay's scheme. While McVay has peppered in more committee work of late, he's generally leaned on one back during his most successful stretches. If Robinson continues that trend, Bijan should see workhorse-type numbers -- even if Tyler Allgeier is a solid runner in his own right. Couple Bijan's explosive ability on the ground with dynamic pass-catching prowess in a McVay-type offense, and we could see him usurp Christian McCaffrey as the NFL's premier dual-threat back in 2024.
The Ravens boast Pro Bowlers up and down the roster, but Oweh, a former first-rounder, is still looking for his breakout season. The 25-year-old edge rusher is coming off a five-sack campaign in which he missed four games with an ankle injury. At 6-foot-5, Oweh boasts the quickness and agility to get around the edge and, at times, flashes dominant playmaking ability. The key will be staying healthy and finding consistency over 17 games. With Jadeveon Clowney gone and questions about the options behind the starting crew, Oweh should see the reps to at least double last year's sack output.
The 2023 first-round pick might not have put up the counting numbers some fantasy-heads desired last season, but his efficiency was very good for a rookie playing a position that is notoriously difficult for first-year pros. For example, Kincaid's 61.5% success rate (third among TEs with at least 50 catches) ranked him just behind Travis Kelce (62.0%) and well ahead of fellow rookie Sam LaPorta (55.8%), per Pro Football Reference. With the Bills revamping the receiver corps this offseason, the tight end could become Josh Allen's favorite target. A good route-runner with athletic traits, Kincaid is in line to make a splash in 2024.
My editor refused to let me go with "pass" for the rebuilding Panthers, so like the dealer in a proper game of Euchre, I'm forced to make a selection. Carolina spent big to bring in the former second-round pick. A starter for the Dolphins since his rookie season in 2020, Hunt has developed into a stellar guard, giving up just five QB pressures and one sack in 11 games in 2023, per Pro Football Focus. The Panthers are counting on an improved interior bolstering Bryce Young and a ground game that stagnated last year. If that plan comes to fruition, Hunt will have played a big part.
Apparently, 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 96 catches isn't enough to garner a Pro Bowl invite. Moore finished as the most prolific wideout of 2023 to be stiff-armed out of an all-star nod. It's a continuation of a career in which he's long been overlooked. Moore has surpassed the 1,150-yard mark in four of his six seasons. He's averaged 14.3 yards per catch. And he's done so while playing in offenses that have never produced more than 3,900 passing yards in any given season, falling below 3,300 passing yards in each of the past three seasons. With the Bears adding weapons, Moore's numbers could shrink in 2024. But then, he should be playing on a better team, so perhaps more voters will notice how good he truly is.
Higgins isn't going to see the long-term payday he hoped for this year. Instead, he's on a path followed by previous Bengals who played out the franchise tag, i.e., Jessie Bates -- which would mean he can cash in next offseason. Higgins' price will only go northward if he stays healthy and puts up the type of numbers he's capable of with Joe Burrow under center. Higgins boasts No. 1 WR traits, with the size/speed/hands combo to take advantage of any matchup. Ja'Marr Chase is the go-to target in Cincy, but Higgins still has the chance to generate monster production in an offense lacking a clear No. 3 behind Chase and Higgins. It wouldn't be a surprise for both Chase and Higgins to make the Pro Bowl if the Bengals' offense lives up to lofty expectations.
The Browns' seven-player Pro Bowl class last season -- which included two first-timers, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and David Njoku -- leaves the roster short on obvious first-timer selections this year. Hopkins deserved consideration in 2023, but unimaginative voters pushed Justin Tucker through, despite what was a down season by the Ravens booter's standards. Hopkins was nearly flawless until he injured his hamstring on Christmas Eve. The kicker nailed 33 of 36 field-goal attempts and missed just two of 26 point-after tries. He was true on all eight of his field-goal attempts of 50-plus yards, with a long of 58 -- only Brandon Aubrey's 10-of-10 mark was better. There is a lot of variance in outcomes for kickers, but the 33-year-old Hopkins has been around long enough to continue his play from 2023. With the Browns again expected to be in the playoff mix, a few game-winning kicks could finally get Hopkins over the Tucker hump.
It's slim pickings on the first-time Pro Bowl front for the Cowboys. Dallas sent 10 players to the game last season, including first-timers Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, DaRon Bland and Brandon Aubrey, wiping out most of the easy choices. With that in mind, let's throw a dart at the linebacker corps -- a group that generally thrives on defenses led by coordinator Mike Zimmer. Overshown's rookie season was preempted by a preseason ACL tear, and Dallas sorely missed the depth he might have provided in 2023. Thus far, the former Longhorn has received rave reviews. Micah Parsons said he's been "unbelievable." Mike McCarthy noted the LB's play "jumps off the tape at you." If that praise turns into regular-season production (and he stays healthy), Overshown could be in the mix not only for a Pro Bowl nod but also for Comeback Player of the Year chatter.
The former first-round pick made a second-team All-Pro squad back in 2020 but has been shut out of the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons in Denver. It's time that changed. Bolles is an excellent blind-side pass protector, allowing fewer than five sacks in six of seven seasons, per PFF. The veteran has curtailed some of the penalties that plagued him early in his career and has become a rock along the Broncos' line. With Bo Nix taking over as the future under center, Bolles' play will be even more important in 2024. If Sean Payton's crew surprises in the AFC West, the LT will surely get the flowers he deserves.
Last season was their first memorable campaign in seemingly eons, and accordingly, the Lions sent seven players to the Pro Bowl, matching the most in franchise history. The last year that many Detroit players reached the all-star game: 1964. McNeill is on track to be the latest Lion to add his name to the Pro Bowl ledger. The penetrator earned some attention last season, and more is to come. Playing next to offseason acquisition D.J. Reader -- himself a candidate to make his first Pro Bowl -- should provide McNeill more one-on-one matchups to take advantage of in 2024. The 24-year-old boasts the quick first step to cause havoc in the backfield if he stays healthy and on the trajectory he was on last season.
It felt like some wrote Love off after his early-season roller-coaster ride in 2023. Down the stretch, though, the signal-caller came into his own, dropping some ridiculous passes while helping to spearhead a playoff run. His offseason contract will get the attention of voters this time around. Love owns the talent to make every throw and still boasts room for improvement after one season as the starter in Green Bay. With a diverse, skilled group around him, he should help the Packers' offense put up numbers and secure the first of many Pro Bowls.
Several members of the upstart Texans are potentially in line for their first Pro Bowl nod, including newly paid wideout Nico Collins. However, I believe Stingley is poised to put his stamp on the corner position in Year 3. For the second season in a row, a hamstring injury cost Stingley significant playing time, forcing him to miss six games (Weeks 3-9). But after he returned in Week 10, Stingley showed shut-down skills. He boasts the size, speed and instincts to trail any receiver, and his EPA/target last season (-.34) ranked third among all corners, behind only Denzel Ward and DaRon Bland (min. 300 coverage snaps). In DeMeco Ryans' defense, Stingley has a chance to thrive as a lock-down threat. The only scenario that might keep him from a Pro Bowl nod: if quarterbacks completely avoid his side of the field to pick on lesser DBs.
The former seventh-round pick has carved out a sensational career, really taking off the past two seasons. Franklin generated 167 combined tackles in 2022, then buried that number with a franchise-record 179 last season (in just 16 games). The sideline-to-sideline maven thrives in coordinator Gus Bradley's system and brings attitude to the Colts' defense. Continued improvements in coverage will only aid Franklin's Pro Bowl case. If Indy takes a step forward in 2024, Franklin will be one of several players wearing the Horseshoe who garners warranted national attention.
I had to quadruple-check that Oluokun hadn't previously made a Pro Bowl, but it's true: The tackling demon has, in fact, not been granted the honor. Solid in every metric, Oluokun is a pigskin hog who uses exceptional instincts to sniff out ball carriers. The 29-year-old led the NFL in solo tackles each of the past two seasons. He was first in combined tackles in 2021 and 2022. He tackles well, can rush when requested and is stellar in coverage. The Yale product is everything you'd want in an off-ball 'backer. Playing in Ryan Nielsen's defense, Oluokun should continue to shine.
With L'Jarius Sneed heading to the Titans this offseason, McDuffie becomes the CB1 for the reigning Super Bowl champs. One of the rare first-team All-Pros who hasn't been to a Pro Bowl, McDuffie boasts the kinds of physical traits, acumen and drive that make great corners. Now that Sneed is gone, will Steve Spagnuolo move McDuffie around to match him against opposing WR1s, or will he keep the corner on one side of the formation? If Spags lets his top corner travel, we'll truly see McDuffie's lock-down skills on display.
I could have taken the easy route and selected Christian Wilkins, who was handed a massive pay day by the Raiders this offseason and gets to play next to Maxx Crosby. But what would life be if you never colored outside the lines? Boring. Instead, let's go with Jones, who seemed to find himself under Antonio Pierce last season. The former New England Patriots fourth-rounder owns a nose for the football. One thing we know about Pro Bowl voters: They love INTs. On top of his ball-hawking talent, Jones has athleticism and a willingness to take chances, which could lead to a trove of picks.
Dobbins' talent isn't in question -- the main issue for someone who has played in just nine games over the past three years is health. Last year's Week 1 Achilles tear was the latest setback for the gashing runner. Possessing more pop than Gus Edwards (who followed him from the Ravens to the Chargers this offseason), Dobbins can be the best back in Greg Roman's scheme if he proves fully healthy. The bigger threat is rookie Kimani Vidal carving out carries. Boasting vision and burst, Dobbins is the type of runner who will thrive in Jim Harbaugh's preferred offense.
Dotson came into his own in LA last season, proving the perfect fit in Sean McVay's offense after seeming like a fish out of water during three seasons in Pittsburgh. The Rams were able to hang onto the guard this offseason, a key move when it comes to the run game thriving in L.A. He's also a solid pass protector for Matthew Stafford, allowing just seven total QB hits in 14 games last season, per PFF. After being snubbed last year, Dotson has a shot to get to Orlando with another great campaign.
Like many Dolphins defenders last season, Holland couldn't stay healthy; he missed five regular-season games and Miami's loss to Kansas City in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. When he's on the field, however, he's a ball magnet with range. A superior coverage safety, Holland can stick with pass-catchers over the middle or dart to fill the gap in the run. Holland didn't have his best campaign in Vic Fangio's defense, but on paper, he should fit new coordinator Anthony Weaver's scheme. Entering a contract year, Holland could set himself up for a pay day with a Pro Bowl campaign.
Credit the Vikings' left tackle for getting a new lucrative deal despite being shut out of the Pro Bowl in 2023. The current highest-paid LT in the NFL is a young rock. One of the most efficient pass protectors in the NFL, Darrisaw combines athleticism, size and smarts to wall off edge rushers. Darrisaw is also one of the better run-blocking LTs in the league. The biggest knock on the 6-5 blocker is that he hasn't played a full slate of games in any of his three seasons. If he plays 17 games in 2024, he should make it to Orlando.
Zero Patriots players reached the Pro Bowler in Bill Belichick's final season in charge. If Gonzalez had stayed healthy, it's possible that would have changed. In four games before suffering a torn labrum, Gonzalez looked like a smooth operator, playing like a potential shut-down corner. In minimal snaps, Gonzales earned three passes defended, an INT, 17 tackles and a sack. The praise Gonzalez drew from former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore underscores the upside he possesses entering Year 2 healthy.
Olave didn't exactly enjoy a smooth transition to the Derek Carr era in New Orleans, yet he still put up 1,123 yards and five touchdowns on 87 catches in 16 games. If things finally smooth out with the quarterback, those figures could take another leap. Olave is a slick route runner who can get open off the line of scrimmage. Given the former Ohio State product's downfield acumen and Carr's propensity for throwing the deep ball, I would have guessed that they'd have connected more than seven times on passes of 20-plus air yards (per Next Gen Stats) last year. Olave's skills should fit better in Klint Kubiak's scheme than they did under Pete Carmichael in 2023; the new OC should find more open grass for the No. 1 wideout.
Here's another off-ball linebacker who could have been on last year's Pro Bowl squad. Okereke generated 149 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six QB hits, four forced fumbles and 10 passes defended and two INTs. Along with Dexter Lawrence, he was the lifeblood of the Giants D. Okereke was also one of the best linebackers in man coverage in the entire NFL, able to run with tight ends and backs. Add him to the list of players who, thanks to poor surrounding play, didn't receive the attention his individual season warranted.
The third-year pro seems poised to explode this fall. A season ago, Hall nearly generated 1,000 rushing yards despite playing in an offense that moved the ball a centimeter at a time. If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy and the improvements on the offensive line coalesce, Hall's production should skyrocket. He owns the speed to blast past linebackers and showed last season that he's capable of a workhorse load. With defenses focused on Rodgers, Hall should find more running lanes. The four-time MVP's savviness should also increase the running back's opportunities as a pass catcher.
Though Smith has often been overshadowed by A.J. Brown, his talents could shine in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's scheme. We should see more pre-snap motion from the Eagles this season, which should help free Smith and provide him space to eat up corners. Though Smith is already a back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver, there is more meat on the bone. Reports from Philly suggest that the fourth-year pro, who inked a new deal this offseason, was having his best camp yet. Smith could find himself in his first Pro Bowl if that continues into the season.
Last season, Pickens collected 1,140 yards alongside Dionte Johnson. With Johnson in Carolina, Pickens is now the clear-cut No. 1 option in Pittsburgh. There are also huge questions behind him in the pecking order, meaning Pickens should see a plethora of targets that will allow him to stockpile stats. The 23-year-old boasts the talent on the outside to win one-on-ones. While used mostly as a boundary field-stretcher, Pickens can feast on all three levels, and I expect new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to use Pickens more liberally all over the field than the previous staff did. Barring an addition to the WR corps, Pickens is in a position to potentially lead the NFL in targets in 2024.
As of now, Aiyuk remains a Niner. As long as that's true, he's the most obvious candidate for this spot. The wideout is the field-stretching weapon Kyle Shanahan's offense needs to function at its highest level. Aiyuk spreads the defense, allowing Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey to win underneath. Aiyuk on the outside helps keep the middle open for George Kittle. It's not that Shanahan's offense would sputter completely without Aiyuk, it's that the wideout's presence and talent combined with the rest are a perfect fit. That's why it's a struggle to think of San Francisco and Aiyuk potentially parting ways. Aiyuk might not have the counting stats of other Pro Bowlers at the position. However, he can certainly match them in efficiency -- and in terms of importance to his (Super Bowl-caliber) club.
Mafe is one of those players whose winning reps can inspire this kind of initial reaction: "Oh boy, if he ever puts it all together, looooook OUT." Well, this is the year Mafe puts it all together. The athletic talent took a leap forward in 2023 with nine sacks, flashing playmaking ability and a better understanding of counter moves. Now he's in a Mike Macdonald defense that has proven it can scheme up pressures from its front four. Mafe has the profile to supercharge his production in these conditions.
Escaping a training camp scare without a major injury was Diaby's first big success of 2024. His high ankle sprain might keep him slowed for now, but I expect that by Week 1, the edge rusher will again be the disruptive force we saw down the stretch last season. The former third-round pick surged in the final nine games of his rookie campaign, collecting 6.5 of his 7.5 career sacks. He became a starter and is the Bucs' best pass-rush talent entering the season. If he stays healthy, Diaby should push over the double-digit sack mark. There is room to grow for the developing edge, and improving his overall pressure rate (9.4 percent, per NGS) will help garner attention.
It is mindboggling that Sneed hasn't received any postseason accolades. No Pro Bowl. No All-Pros. Maybe voters dislike all the penalties the physical corner collects? (Shrug emoji.) All I know is that Sneed is a bully who makes receivers work for everything. His -29.7 target EPA ranked third among corners in the NFL last season (min. 300 snaps), and his -.33 EPA/target was fourth, per NGS. Now in Tennessee after a March trade, Sneed will lead a revamped defense under new coordinator Dennard Wilson. Helping turn around a unit that was torched under the previous regime should finally bring Sneed the recognition he deserves.
After moving from right tackle to guard last year, Cosmi was the Commanders' top blocker, displaying the ability to open holes in the run game and enjoying the best year of his career as a pass-protector on the interior. According to PFF, he allowed 31 pressures but gave up just one sack and four QB hits in 17 games. With a new regime in place in D.C., questions still litter the O-line; Cosmi is the hog that ties everything together.
