Biggest NFC Pro Bowl snubs: Lions star safety’s omission a genuine head-scratcher

Here are the NFC players who should have the biggest gripes about not making the initial cut.

5. Eagles cornerbacks Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell

We’re splitting hairs with Philadelphia’s outstanding rookie corners, so we’re including both for this exercise.

The Eagles (13-3) selected Mitchell (No. 22) and DeJean (No. 40 overall) with their first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, and both have been central to the secondary’s remarkable turnaround from 31st against the pass in 2023 to first entering Week 18.

Mitchell has been great as an outside corner. Per Pro Football Focus data, he’s allowed 40 receptions on 59 targets (58 percent) for 447 yards, two touchdowns and nine pass breakups. Among 40 corners with at least 350 coverage snaps, Mitchell ranks fourth in snaps per target (8.3) and fifth in snaps per reception (14.3), highlighting quarterbacks’ reluctance to test him in coverage. His 22 percent forced incompletion rate — the highest among qualifying corners — suggests quarterbacks are making the right choice.

Meanwhile, DeJean has been tested more often as a primary slot corner. He’s allowed 50 receptions on 71 targets (70.4 percent), but pass-catchers have only gained 365 yards. Quarterbacks’ average depth of target when going after DeJean is only 4.5 yards, and DeJean does an excellent job of keeping opponents from gaining much afterward. His longest completion allowed this season is 24 yards.

4. Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers

Nabers, another rookie having a terrific season, shouldn’t be penalized for playing on the woeful Giants (3-13). Entering Week 18, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft is fifth in the league in receptions (104) and eighth in receiving yards (1,140).

Per Stathead, Nabers is one of three wide receivers in NFL history with 100 receptions and 1,100 receiving yards as a rookie. The other two — retired 14-year veteran Anquan Boldin (2003) and Rams wideout Puka Nacua (2023) — made the Pro Bowl during their landmark seasons.

3. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson

Robinson is one of the league’s best dual-threats. He’s the only player in the league with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions. (h/t Stathead) 

Robinson ranks fourth in scrimmage yards (1,714), trailing Pro Bowlers Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Derrick Henry (Ravens) and Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions).

Robinson should be the first alternate if Philadelphia, Detroit or Green Bay makes the Super Bowl, so the second-year back might still make an appearance in Orlando.

2. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield

The 2017 Heisman winner continued to thrive in his second season with the Buccaneers (9-7). Entering Week 18, Mayfield leads the NFC with 39 touchdowns. Among quarterbacks with at least 250 plays, Mayfield only trails Lions quarterback Jared Goff among NFC quarterbacks in completion percentage (70.9 percent) and passing yards (4,279).

Per Pro Football Reference, his 54.2 percent passing success rate, which the site defines as plays that gain “at least 40% of yards required on 1st down, 60% of yards required on 2nd down, and 100% percent on 3rd or 4th down,” ranks second in the NFL, also trailing Goff (54.4 percent).

1. Lions safety Kerby Joseph

Joseph’s omission is the biggest head-scratcher. 

He’s been the glue that’s held together Detroit’s injury-riddled defense. Joseph has played in all 16 games this season and leads the league with nine interceptions, including two against the 49ers on “Monday Night Football” in Week 17.

Joseph is PFF’s highest-graded coverage safety and has only allowed 16 receptions on 27 targets (59.3 percent), an average of 39.8 snaps per reception allowed. He’s also a sure tackler, only being credited with two missed tackles on pass plays.