2024 Pro Bowl Games snubs: Josh Allen, Brandon Aiyuk among players left out
The rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games have been revealed — so now it’s time to argue over the players who didn’t make it through the initial selection process.
The number of worthy candidates far outweighs the 88 roster spots split between the two conferences. Toss in position limitations, and creating a set of teams that would satisfy everyone is impossible. Im-poss-ible. Someone will always be left out in the January cold.
It’s hard to quibble with the men who made the rosters. Defining those who didn’t make it as snubs should not be taken as criticism of the players selected. For me, this exercise is a way to acknowledge players having splendid years that might not have received the national attention they deserved. Consider the below list your “next 10” list, when replacements on the Pro Bowl rosters inevitably start racking up. Or maybe it’d be my Pro Bowl Practice Squad.
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The Bills’ midseason swoon and a glut of prime-time turnovers probably kept him from making the initial Pro Bowl roster, but doggonit, Allen still remains among the best of the best. Don’t be thrown by his rank of seventh among QBs in passing yards (3,947) and passing TDs (27); his 457 rush yards (fourth among QBs) and 15 rushing scores (tied for the most among QBs) show what a dual-threat force he is. Yes, the turnovers in big moments have been bad, but Allen does not rank highly in turnover-worthy plays, per PFF, tying with Brock Purdy (16) — behind Tua Tagovailoa (20) and Patrick Mahomes (18). Allen’s ability to make ridiculous throws gets him into some trouble. It also stirs the Bills’ drink and has gotten them back into playoff contention.
Maybe Aiyuk gets lost in a big-name 49ers offense, but the wideout has put up monster numbers — despite tallying just 101 targets in 15 games, he sits at 1,317 receiving yards, making him the only wideout above the 1,200-yard plateau with fewer than 128 targets. Aiyuk leads all players with 18.3 yards per catch this season and boasts a catch percentage of 71.3. His 71.3 receiving EPA ranks third in the NFL, behind only CeeDee Lamb and Tyreek Hill. Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle rightfully garner attention for their play in San Francisco, but in the crucible of the big moment this season, it’s been Aiyuk who has stepped up for the NFC’s top club.
Clearly, the voters and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to defensive backs. Perhaps most side with Ja’Marr Chase’s assertion about the Chiefs secondary. But while you might be able to ding Sneed for all the penalties (17, per PFF), he is as physical as any corner in the NFL, and the results speak for themselves. The 26-year-old corner silences opponents. He’s allowed 5-plus catches and 50-plus yards in a game just twice this season, per Next Gen Stats, and he’s given up ZERO touchdowns in 462 coverage snaps. His -29.7 target EPA is third-best among all CBs in 2023. His play is not just Pro Bowl-worthy — it’s All-Pro quality.
Anyone who’s watched more than one Bucs game surely noticed the playmaker wearing No. 31 flying around the ball, wreaking havoc and generally destroying offensive game plans. So at first perusal of the NFC roster, I was certain I simply missed Winfield’s name. Nope. He’s not on the list. (And I just checked a 45th time, to be sure!) Bucs fans are sure to find this a travesty and a sham and a mockery. Winfield has been all over the field, generating 117 tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, seven QB hits, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 12 passes defended. No offense to the three NFC safeties elected — all are good players in their own right — but it’s stunning to me Winfield continues to be overlooked after the masterful season he’s compiled.
