Wednesday brought another sign of the times for the New England Patriots: For the first time since the 2000 season, they did not have multiple players voted to the Pro Bowl.
While others could eventually be selected as alternates, outside linebacker Matthew Judon was the only Patriots representative to crack the initial AFC roster for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
With a conference-high 14 1/2 sacks through 14 games, Judon was a worthy honoree. It’s his fourth career Pro Bowl nod and second in two seasons with New England.
But should he have been the only Patriots player recognized? Should any of his teammates be joining him in Las Vegas the weekend before Super Bowl LVII?
Here are five New England players who could be considered Pro Bowl snubs:
G Mike Onwenu
The Patriots are playing Onwenu at his natural position of right guard for the first time in his NFL career, and he’s been by far the best player on their struggling offensive line. The third-year pro has yet to allow a sack this season and is Pro Football Focus’s third-highest-graded guard. He also ranks near the top of his position group in both pass blocking (third by PFF) and run blocking (sixth). Onwenu lost out to Joel Bitonio, ex-Patriot Joe Thuney and Quenton Nelson, who rank second, fifth and 22nd in PFF grade, respectively. Nelson seemed to be more of a reputation vote, as he’s having a down year by his usual All-Pro standards.
KR/PR Marcus Jones
Despite leading the AFC in punt-return average, ranking second in kick-return average and having a game-winning 84-yard punt-return touchdown on his résumé, the Patriots’ do-it-all rookie wasn’t even the first Pro Bowl alternate. Baltimore’s Devin Duvernay was the top choice, and with Duvernay injured, Braxton Berrios will take his place. Jones is averaging 1.5 more yards per punt return and 2.6 more yards per kick return than Berrios, whose status as a veteran and 2021 All-Pro might have swayed some voters.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Only four AFC running backs have more yards from scrimmage this season than Stevenson, who’s emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous dual threats at the position. The problem: the three backs who were voted in (Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb) all rank above Stevenson on that list. Hard to quibble with that. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a call if any of those players bow out.
S Kyle Dugger
Another player who likely has Pro Bowl selections in his future, Dugger’s relative lack of statistical production and three games missed due to injury probably hurt him in the eyes of voters. He only has two interceptions this season, and one — his incredible pick-six against Las Vegas — came after Pro Bowl voting had closed. But Dugger boasts a rare mix of versatility, athleticism and physicality that’s difficult to quantify and even harder to replicate. PFF has him graded as the seventh-best safety in the NFL, behind Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick (second) but ahead of Derwin James (11th) and Jordan Poyer (22nd).
ST Brenden Schooler
This will be just the second Pro Bowl since 2011 that doesn’t feature Matthew Slater, who was leading the fan vote until late in the process. The more deserving Patriots special teamer this year, however, was Schooler. The long-haired undrafted rookie is tied for the NFL lead in solo special teams tackles with 10 (13 total) and is one of just seven players with multiple fumble recoveries in the kicking game. Slater believes Schooler “certainly” is performing at a Pro Bowl level, saying he’s “playing as well as anyone in our league right now.” The voters gave the nod to the New York Jets’ Justin Hardee, who also has 10 special teams tackles. In scenarios like this, the tie typically goes to the veteran.
