Earlier today, the NFL unveiled the AFC and NFC rosters for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Though 88 players made the cut, there were some individuals left off the rosters that we feel should have gotten the nod. With that in mind, let's go down the list position by position and see who should have received an invitation to the game scheduled for February 3rd, 2026.
Offense
Quarterback - Jared Goff, Lions
Goff has been able to elevate his play as a passer over the last few years as the Lions' quarterback. He has almost as many touchdowns as last year (32 vs. 37) and has cut his interception total in half (five vs. 12). Goff has the third-most passing yards (4,036) in the NFL and the second-highest passer rating (109.4) in the league this season. In all likelihood, he didn't get as many votes as he did last year because Detroit's record has taken a huge hit.
Honorable mentions: Jordan Love, Packers
Running Back - Derrick Henry, Ravens
We can't deny that his production has taken a nosedive after he rushed for almost 2,000 yards last season. Still, Henry has the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL (1,253), is tied for the league-lead in runs of 20+ yards (13), and is tied for the fourth-most rushing TDs in the National Football League (12).
Honorable mention: Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars
Fullback - C.J. Ham, Vikings
There are only 14 teams that still reserve a 53-man roster spot for fullbacks. Baltimore's Patrick Ricard and San Francisco's Kyle Juszczyk are always going to be the obvious choices to make the Pro Bowl. Minnesota's C.J. Ham and Buffalo's Reggie Gilliam are the backup options. Ham gets the nod over Gilliam because he is utilized a bit more as a runner and a pass catcher.
Honorable mention: Reggie Gilliam, Bills
Tight End - Tyler Warren, Colts
Atlanta's Kyle Pitts Sr. has a case to be the fifth tight end to make the Pro Bowl this year if one of the four players selected decides they don't want to go, but we’re going to go with Tyler Warren instead. Warren has been a more consistent producer, especially when the Colts' offense was humming during the early part of the season, and he was averaging 61.7 receiving yards per game. If we take away Pitts' Week 15 offensive explosion, he only has two TD catches on the season and an average of 49.1 receiving yards per game.
Honorable mention: Kyle Pitts Sr.
Wide Receiver - Chris Olave, Saints
The fact that Chris Olave is on pace to finish the regular season with almost 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns is remarkable considering he has to catch passes from Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. Also, his production didn't take a dip when the Saints got rid of Rashid Shaheed. In an offense where Olave is basically the only pass-catching threat, he ranks 11th in receiving yards per game (69.6).
Honorable mention: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
Offensive Line - Andrew Thomas, Giants
There aren't any statistical categories that allow us to measure the outright success of offensive linemen. We just have to look at how many sacks they allow and the penalties they have called on them. In that case, Andrew Thomas ranks near the top in the league. In 782 offensive snaps, he has only allowed one sack this season, with just three penalties called on him. He also ranks in the top 15 in quarterback hits allowed with two on the year.
Honorable mention: Lane Johnson, Eagles
Defense
Defensive End - Danielle Hunter, Texans
This might be the biggest snub on the list. Hunter is tied for third in the NFL in sacks (13). The only players ahead of him are Myles Garrett and Brian Burns, who aren't just Pro Bowlers, but Defensive Player of the Year candidates. Plus, Hunter is tied for eighth in tackles for loss (13). He has a higher pass-rush win rate than Aidan Hutchinson and more pass-rush wins than Brian Burns. Hunter should be in the Pro Bowl.
Honorable mention: Cameron Jordan, Saints
Defensive Tackle - Kobie Turner, Rams
Turner has all the statistics you would expect to see from a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. His seven sacks are tied for the third-most amongst all DTs. He also has 34 pass-rush wins at the defensive tackle spot, which is more than Jeffery Simmons. Turner has eight tackles for loss, three passes defensed, and even an interception, which is not something we often see from DTs.
Honorable mention: Byron Murphy II, Seahawks
Outside Linebacker - Josh Sweat, Cardinals
As an outside linebacker, Sweat is usually focused on rushing the passer, which would explain why he has 11 sacks (more than T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby) compared to just 27 total tackles. However, 12 of those have been tackles for loss, tied for the 11th-best mark in the NFL. He's a game-changer with four forced fumbles, and he has a pass-rush win rate that's the same as Myles Garrett's (19%). If he were playing in a bigger market, he would've gotten more Pro Bowl votes.
Honorable mention: Nick Herbig, Steelers
Inside Linebacker - Carson Schwesigner, Browns
As a rookie, Schwesigner has already proven that he will be a key piece of the Browns' defense for years to come. He is tied with Bobby Wagner for the fourth-most total tackles in the NFL (147). Schwesinger has 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three passes defended, and two interceptions. He wasn't dominant in a single statistical category, but he contributed across the board defensively. He'll up his game and make the Pro Bowl next season.
Honorable mention: Ernest Jones IV, Seahawks
Cornerback - Nahshon Wright, Bears
With five interceptions, Nahshon Wright is tied for the second-most picks in the NFL behind only his teammate, Kevin Byard. He also has two forced fumbles, which means he’s personally responsible for seven of the Bears' league-leading 31 takeaways. His 53 solo tackles are the 16th-most amongst cornerbacks this season, so he brings receivers down even when he gives up receptions.
Honorable mention: Mike Jackson, Panthers
Safety - Kam Curl, Rams
Another Swiss Army Knife on this list, Curl has been an unsung hero in the Rams' secondary. Curl has the fourth-most tackles amongst safeties in the NFL this season (108). He also has two sacks, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. Plus, he has played the most snaps at Safety in the NFL this season, so he can be relied on to show up each week.
Honorable mention: Cam Bynum, Colts
