The New Orleans Saints have taken the annual Pro Bowl game by storm, with group photo-ops and on-field celebrations adding a fun element to the exhibition game. They’ve also used the opportunity to quietly protest after the botched no-call during the 2018 NFC championship game, with stars like quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Michael Thomas stepping out.
Last year, the Saints tied the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys with the most selections in the NFC (8). The year prior, they trailed the Los Angeles Rams (8 representatives) in a tie with the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings (7). The 2019 Saints roster should see similar success on the Pro Bowl ballots.
Here’s five players who could earn their first appearance in next season’s Pro Bowl (unless, of course, they’re preparing for the Super Bowl instead).
Wil Lutz, kicker
No kicker received more Pro Bowl votes from fans than Lutz, but the ballots from players and coaches pushed him behind New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas to represent the NFC. That should change in 2019. Lutz has been terrific on field goals for the Saints (making 94 of his 109 attempts over the last three years, including the playoffs) and it’s almost certain that the Giants offense won’t get in scoring position as often without all-star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Lutz should run away with this recognition.
Marcus Davenport, defensive end
Cameron Jordan won a spot on last year’s NFC roster at the Pro Bowl. The other belonged to Dallas Cowboys playmaker DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence underwent shoulder surgery back in April, with a four-to-six month recovery ahead of him. While he said he’ll be ready for the season-opener, Lawrence would essentially be starting cold. That gives Davenport a big opportunity to start hot in 2019, sacking quarterbacks and building his reputation without competition. If he can live up to the expectations the Saints have for him, Davenport should join Jordan on the Pro Bowl roster.
Erik McCoy, center
Here’s a hot take: McCoy won’t just win Max Unger’s spot on the Saints offensive line, he’ll go on to claim Unger’s spot on the Pro Bowl roster. Unger was listed as a reserve behind the Atlanta Falcons’ Alex Mack, and McCoy is in great position to pick up where he left off. He just might be a better prospect to start than Unger was at the end of the year; injuries were taking their toll on the longtime Saints centerpiece, and McCoy will take the field with fresh legs.
Demario Davis, linebacker
Somehow, Davis hasn’t earned a single Pro Bowl nod in seven NFL seasons. That’s despite his high level of play; he’s the only player in the league to average more than 100 tackles, five sacks, and 10 quarterback hits in each of his last two years. Some of that can be chalked up to Davis being stuck with bad New York Jets and Cleveland Browns teams, but now he’s on a Super Bowl contender. That spotlight should raise some much-deserved awareness for the borderline-elite linebacker playing in New Orleans.
Ryan Ramczyk, right tackle
The NFC is flush with great offensive tackles, with Ramczyk among them. He was snubbed last year through no fault of his own, but injuries forced elite talents like his teammate Terron Armstead, Tyron Smith (from the Dallas Cowboys), and Trent Williams (Washington) to sit out the event, leading to the also-deserving Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles) getting bumped up. However, other players were still picked ahead of Ramczyk — like the anonymous Charles Leno Jr. (Chicago Bears) or Falcons’ Jake Matthews, whose biggest accomplishment has been serving as Cameron Jordan’s punching bag. Ramczyk should leave no doubt and win a Pro Bowl spot in year three.
