Players who could make the Pro Bowl for the first time

Drew Brees' MVP candidacy is no longer a secret. He's now at 25 touchdown passes and one interception; it could be a historic season for the 39-year-old quarterback. Now his most athletic lineman may finally head to a Pro Bowl. Winning teams' performers populate these rosters, and the Saints will see several cogs selected. Armstead may not be a lock, though, because of a pectoral injury that's stalled his season at nine games. But New Orleans' fifth-year left tackle was playing at an elite level and is expected to be back fairly soon.

An eye-test monster like this doesn't come through the NFL too often. For sheer talent, it's hard to name a better running back than Barkley. Despite playing behind a below-average offensive line, the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite is sixth in rushing (728 yards). And with 540 receiving yards, the Penn State-produced star-in-the-making is on pace to eclipse 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Rookies to have accomplished that: Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James. This could be the start of a transcendent career. 

Sean McVay's innovative attack has transformed the Rams over the past one-and-a-half seasons. While Los Angeles' route concepts vex secondaries weekly, this machine doesn't work without Todd Gurley's brilliance. The fourth-year running back enjoys the opportunities to gash defenses without much interference behind the NFL's premier offensive line. The Rams' right guard Blythe began the year as a substitute for then-starter Jamon Brown. But Brown's since been cut, and Blythe — a 2016 Colts seventh-round pick — has been one of the NFL's best guards. He could join other Ram linemen in being selected.

The Legion of Boom's breakup received most of the attention this offseason for a retooling Seahawks team, but Seattle purged longtime defensive end starters Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril from its roster as well and counted on Clark to deliver as a starter. The fourth-year end has, posting 10 sacks through Week 11. He's a big reason the Seahawks are positioned atop the "in the hunt" line on playoff graphics. Clark may join Bobby Wagner in representing this defense in Florida. 

Third in rushing through 10 games (796 yards), Conner's made it easy for the Steelers to deal with the Le'Veon Bell saga. The new starter's averaging 4.6 yards per carry — well north of Bell's 4.0 last season — and has surprisingly excelled in the passing game. With 411 yards through the air, Conner's on pace to eclipse Bell's 2017 receiving mark (655 yards). Illustrating his burgeoning capabilities, Conner needs one receiving yard to match his career total at Pitt. Sitting on 11 touchdowns, he reached 10 in a season quicker than any Steeler has. He'll be Pro Bowl-bound.

While wide receiver invitees may not feature any newcomers, new tight ends are in the mix. Ebron could be one of those. Discarded by the Lions shortly before his fifth-year option salary ($8.25 million) was to become guaranteed, Ebron has been a key part of the Colts' midseason climb. He's scored 10 touchdowns — more than every tight end or wide receiver not named Antonio Brown — and is one TD away from equaling his career total in four Detroit years. He's two receiving TDs away from Dallas Clark's franchise record (11, set in 2007). 

For most of his first four NFL seasons, Ford was unreliable. He struggled to get on the field in his first two seasons and suffered a season-ending injury after six 2017 games. Ford did not show he was worth a first-round pick, but in a contract year, he's coming through. The 2014 first-rounder has nine sacks and four forced fumbles. With Justin Houston sidelined again for a stretch because of injury, Ford carried the Chiefs' edge rush for weeks. He has a sack in seven of Kansas City's 10 games and is positioning for a major payday. 

Edge rushers have less competition for Pro Bowl spots, with 4-3 defensive ends not competing with 3-4 outside linebackers for spots despite the positions' responsibilities overlapping. It lines up well for Garrett to secure what could be the first of many invites. The Browns' best player has nine sacks and has forced three fumbles from his right defensive end position. Injuries limited the 2017 No. 1 overall pick as a rookie, but his talent's been evident since his Combine showing. Garrett's healthy now and has recorded three multisack games.

In a nationally televised showcase for the Bears' defense against the Vikings, Hicks recorded five tackles for loss. The mammoth defensive lineman has also forced three fumbles and collected four sacks this season. A seventh-year player, Hicks has been one of the best defensive linemen in football for years. With the Bears deploying a top-five defense, here's guessing this is the year Vic Fangio's top lineman is recognized. Of course, this is contingent upon Hicks being categorized as a defensive tackle, his nickel role, rather than an end.

Signed to what looked like a Vikings-friendly extension, Hunter is showing why the franchise deemed his re-up a priority before he hit free agency (and the bargain the $14.4 million-per-year deal's become). Just 24, the fourth-year defensive end leads all edge rushers with 11.5 sacks. Hunter has recorded a sack in all but two of Minnesota's games and ransacked the Lions for 3.5 and a touchdown earlier this month. While Everson Griffen was out, Hunter still thrived and showed he'll be a cinch for a Pro Bowl nod. 

Jackson's return-yardage tour de force game as a rookie (two defensive touchdowns) did not send him to the Pro Bowl, but his work as an NFL sophomore might. The Bears safety again has two touchdowns, which came, like last season, on a fumble return and a pick-six. The latter score occurred in a nationally televised game that secured Chicago the NFC North lead. Jackson has three INTs this season and is proving to be a premier ballhawk for a Bears defense that may send a few of its starters to Orlando. 

Jackson's delivering a versatile season and may be a first-time Pro Bowler in his ninth year. The Texans moved the longtime cornerback to safety this summer but shuttled him back to corner early in the season. Injuries have prompted the Texans to toggle Jackson between positions this season, and he's helped the team win seven straight after an 0-3 start. Jackson's defensed 13 passes — tied for third in the NFL — and has two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He may join DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt as Texans Pro Bowlers.

A Defensive Rookie of the Year contender, James has contributed in just about every category for the Chargers' defense. He's far and away the Bolts' tackles leader with 71, and the first-round pick has added 3.5 sacks — the most of any defensive back this season. James has just one interception but has been a quick study for a Los Angeles defense that's in the top 10 in points yielded. This is an impact player, and it's possible voters acknowledge it early.

The Cowboys moving Jones back to cornerback — his primary college position — from his the safety spot at which he lined up in his first three NFL years looks brilliant. He's been arguably the best outside defender in the game this year. This is one of those old-school Champ Bailey- or Charles Woodson-type seasons. Jones has no interceptions and is not among the league's leaders in pass breakups. Teams are avoiding the breakout talent. Jones allowed just 20 yards completed against him per game during the season's first seven contests and should be rewarded.

This is a big year for breakout Js. The Chiefs' top defensive lineman has been an eye-catching grinder for three seasons now, but this one's been Jones' best. On a midseason tear, the bulldozing interior defender already has a career-high seven sacks, each coming in the past six Kansas City games. The 2016 second-round pick also intercepted a Blake Bortles pass and took it back for a touchdown. This candidacy depends on Jones being listed as a defensive tackle, which he is for all intents and purposes, instead of a defensive end. 

Viewed as a rebuilding team, the Colts are now in the thick of the AFC playoff race. At this season's outset, the team was dealing with issues at tackle and breaking in a rookie guard. Kelly has anchored this unit all season, one that's seen Andrew Luck re-emerge and Marlon Mack rapidly ascend. It's possible Kelly and the first guard to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month, Quenton Nelson, are battling to be the Colt blocker who goes. But Kelly's status as a third-year starter may help his cause. 

Odds are most non-hardcore NFL fans or 49ers supporters haven't actually seen much of Kittle's work. But the fantasy community has certainly bought in on the second-year tight end. Despite Jimmy Garoppolo going down in September, the Iowa alum has thrived. Catching passes from three quarterbacks this season, Kittle's third in NFL tight end yardage (775). This is more than he produced in four years with the Hawkeyes. No 49er tight end has ever surpassed 1,000 yards in a season; Kittle is well on his way to becoming the first.

Leonard was not expected to be in Defensive Rookie of the Year race, but he leads the NFL with 104 tackles — 15 more than anyone else. The second-round pick out of Division I-FCS South Carolina State is all over the stat page (five sacks, four forced fumbles, two recoveries, one INT). The issue may be whether Leonard is categorized as an inside linebacker or grouped with the outside 'backers due to his weakside spot in the Colts' base defense. With traditional OLBs frequently snubbed for 3-4 edge rushers, Leonard's best shot is to be grouped as a nickel inside man. Because he's worthy of a spot.

Perhaps the biggest breakout superstar to come through Kansas City since Bo Jackson, Mahomes is a Pro Bowl lock. He'll almost certainly be the only new quarterback selected. The 23-year-old prodigy leads the NFL with 31 touchdown passes — already a Chiefs single-season record — and may end up with close to 50 at season's end. Only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have gotten there. An MVP contender, Mahomes is on pace to shatter Trent Green's 14-year-old franchise record of 4,591 passing yards. This could end up as an all-time sophomore season.

Playing on a dominant team can double as a tiebreaker for fringe Pro Bowl candidates, but the third-year Saints defensive tackle is showing himself to be an adept interior rusher. The surging Saints have recently supported Drew Brees with strong defensive work, and no 4-3 defensive tackle has more than Rankins' six sacks. Four of those came in his past six games, continuing to illustrate the kind of form the Saints are showing. Don't be surprised if multiple Saint defenders are chosen despite Brees' offense igniting this surge.

Much worse teams have sent three linemen to the Pro Bowl. The 2016 Raiders pulled this off, and this Rams line has dominated defensive fronts to a greater degree. Saffold has been a Ram since the Steve Spagnuolo era but has not made a Pro Bowl. The 2010 second-round pick began his career at left tackle but is now a top-flight left guard. Todd Gurley fantasy owners have Saffold partially to thank. He, Austin Blythe and Andrew Whitworth may be Pro Bowl-bound. And it's not out of the question right tackle Rob Havenstein could get there, too. 

Right tackles are not treated like their more glamorous brethren. Left tackles took up all four spots on both the 1990s' and 2000s' All-Decade teams, and left-side blockers' salaries reflect the disparity. However, elite edge rushers often rush against right tackles now. Von Miller, J.J. Watt and Justin Houston regularly do. Khalil Mack was there plenty as a Raider. Schwartz is arguably the league's best right tackle and has never missed a snap. He's long overdue for a Pro Bowl invite. With the Chiefs in the driver's seat for postseason home-field advantage, expect plenty of them to be selected. 

Two teams waived Swearinger in 2015 — a weird year for a safety who's been a regular starter in each of his other five NFL seasons — but he's stabilized his career in a big way since. In his second Washington season, Swearinger has displayed a multidimensional game by snaring four interceptions — tied for second-most in the league — while forcing three fumbles and registering two sacks. He started for the Texans and Cardinals and intercepted four passes for the 2017 Redskins but has not received a Pro Bowl summons. That may well change this season. 

It's not a lock that this year's No. 4 overall pick is selected for the Pro Bowl, but he's showing the Browns did not reach for him with that lofty investment. Ward intercepted two passes in his first game and now has three, the second coming during a Browns overtime win over the Ravens that also featured a Ward blocked field goal. This garnered him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week acclaim. If Ward doesn't go this season, it might end up being the exception for the latest Ohio State-produced cornerback standout.

The AFC will have a heated race for its outside linebacker spots. With three available, this will omit one of the Von Miller-Bradley Chubb-Dee Ford-Watt quartet. Miller's almost certainly going, and a likely Chiefs wave could thrust Ford into another spot. The younger Watt carries name recognition, and both T.J. and J.J. exit Week 11 with 10 sacks — one more than Chubb, who has only one forced fumble compared to T.J. Watt's four. The Steelers' 37 sacks also lead the NFL. These factors make the second-year Steeler a slight Pro Bowl favorite over an also-deserving Chubb.