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2013 Midseason Pro Bowl draft
PFF's writers draft two competing NFL Pro Bowl rosters
Updated: October 29, 2013, 12:45 PM ET
By Steve Palazzolo and Khaled Elsayed | Pro Football Focus
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Getty ImagesDez Bryant and LeSean McCoy are both worthy of being Pro Bowlers.
There's a new Pro Bowl in town. The "unconferenced" format means that Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will have their pick of players who are voted through to the Hawaii-based all-star game, with the possibility of teammates going head-to-head and much more.
So we decided to do something similar here at Pro Football Focus. Steve Palazzolo and I are going head-to-head picking our own Pro Bowl squads as we scrutinize the standout performers through Week 8. We've looked at the official Pro Bowl ballots, and based on who we're allowed to pick and what we value personally, have drafted our own set of starters -- Palazzolo's Prime Timers and Elsayed's Elites.
Below we break down our most contentious picks, avoiding the obvious selections such as Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, which are pretty self-explanatory. On the right side, you can view the entire roster for each squad, along with each player's grades.
Palazzolo's Prime Timers Breakdown
Steve's Pro Bowl roster
PosPlayerPick2013 Grade
QBPeyton Manning(1)+21.8
RBDarren Sproles(24)+9.3
WRCalvin Johnson(4)+14.9
WRAntonio Brown(13)+13.1
FBAnthony Sherman(44)+11.0
TEJordan Cameron(21)+8.6
OTNate Solder(33)+20.5
OTZach Strief(40)+13.3
OGEvan Mathis(25)+25.1
OGLouis Vasquez(36)+13.7
OCAlex Mack(41)+9.8
DERobert Quinn(5)+32.1
DECameron Jordan(9)+18.8
DTJason Hatcher(12)+20.9
DTNdamukong Suh(17)+16.3
ILBSean Lee(20)+9.0
OLBElvis Dumervil(37)+15.4
OLBLavonte David(29)+11.8
CBDarrelle Revis(8)+13.7
CBVontae Davis(28)+8.8
SSEric Berry(16)+9.2
FSDevin McCourty(32)+16.2
KNick Folk(45)+11.6
RDexter McCluster(49)+4.4
PShane Lechler(48)+17.7
STMarcus Easley(52)+2.5
Darren Sproles, RB, Saints
Pick No. 24 | 2013 Grade: +9.3
While he's not your traditional running back, Sproles brings great versatility to the passing game. He leads all running backs with a plus-10.1 receiving grade and he also leads with 2.69 yards per route run. A real matchup problem.
Jordan Cameron, TE, Browns
Pick No. 21 | 2013 Grade: +8.6
Though he's already becoming well-known in fantasy football circles, it's Cameron's all-around game that has earned him the No. 3 overall tight end spot at plus-8.6. He's been an efficient chain-mover for the Cleveland offense, catching a league-high 80 percent of his targets while providing the occasional deep threat, as his four catches of 20 yards or more will attest.
Nate Solder, OT, Patriots
Pick No. 33 | 2013 Grade: +20.5
Solder has quietly risen to the top of PFF's offensive tackle rankings through a nice mix of both pass- and run-blocking. He's given up only 15 pressures on 345 pass block attempts for a pass blocking efficiency of 96.2 that ranks ninth in the league, but his run blocking (third highest grade of tackles) is what has really set him apart.
Robert Quinn, DE, Rams
Pick No. 5 | 2013 Grade: +32.1
While last year may have been Quinn's breakout season because of his 11 sacks, he's gotten much more consistent pressure here in 2013 on his way to leading all 4-3 defensive ends with a plus-32.1 overall grade.
Jason Hatcher, DT, Cowboys
Pick No. 12 | 2013 Grade: +20.9
A relative unknown to many around the league, Hatcher was quietly one of the league's best interior defensive linemen a year ago as he graded at plus-25.7 as a 3-4 defensive end. Now he's our second-ranked DT and showing no problems making the transition.
Sean Lee, ILB, Cowboys
Pick No. 20 | 2013 Grade: +9.0
Lee may be the league's best coverage linebacker, as his plus-5.8 grade ranks right near the top in that department. He's intercepted four passes while deflecting three more and his instincts and athleticism have proved valuable.
Darrelle Revis, CB, Buccaneers
Pick No. 8 | 2013 Grade: +13.7
Putting team record and scheme aside, Revis can still play, and he leads all cornerbacks with a plus-13.7 overall grade. He's only allowed 14 receptions on 28 targets into his coverage for 108 yards and a long pass of 13 yards. It may not be the Revis Island of old schematically, but even in zone, Revis has proven that he still belongs among the league's elite players.
Devin McCourty, FS, Patriots
Pick No. 32 | 2013 Grade: +16.2
The move from cornerback to safety has worked wonders for McCourty, whose plus-16.2 grade leads the league. He's rarely out of position and he knows how to find the ball on the back end. He's tied for the league lead with five passes defensed.
Eric Berry, SS, Chiefs:
Pick No. 16 | 2013 Grade: +9.2
Berry has shined in a versatile role for the Chiefs, doubling as both a traditional safety and an extra linebacker in their sub packages. He's often been responsible for covering opposing tight ends, and he's done well in the role, allowing only 4.6 yards per attempt into his coverage while getting his hands on four passes and intercepting another.
Nick Folk, K, Jets:
Pick No. 45 | 2013 Grade: +11.6
If there's been a better kicker than Folk this year, then please let me know. He's not only demonstrated some clutch kicking to lead the team to victory, but he's also perfect on the year with three of his FGs coming from more than 50 yards.
Elsayed's Elites Breakdown
Khaled's Pro Bowl roster
PosPlayerPick2013 Grade
QBAaron Rodgers(3)+16.9
RBLeSean McCoy(6)+16.3
WRDez Bryant(10)+11.5
WRJordy Nelson(14)+14.2
FBMike Tolbert(43)+6.4
TEJimmy Graham(7)+6.6
OTJoe Thomas(22)+15.8
OTDoug Free(34)+16.6
OGDavid DeCastro(26)+11.7
OGLogan Mankins(42)+5.2
OCChris Myers(39)+12.4
DEJ.J. Watt(2)+44.5
DEMichael Johnson(23)+18.3
DTGerald McCoy(11)+20.7
DTGeno Atkins(30)+19.9
ILBDerrick Johnson(27)+11.4
OLBJustin Houston(18)+20.8
OLBTamba Hali(19)+14.3
CBAqib Talib(15)+8.2
CBAlterraun Verner(35)+11.4
SST.J. Ward(38)+11.4
FSEarl Thomas(31)+11.0
KMatt Prater(51)+6.3
RCordarrelle Patterson(46)+7.9
PThomas Morstead(50)+15.2
STJustin Bethel(47)+6.5
LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
Pick No. 6 | 2013 Grade: +16.3
I want a RB who can do it all, and McCoy, our top-ranked back, is that guy. His offensive line has certainly afforded him some space, but in forcing 38 missed tackles (second most in the league), he has shown he knows how to make teams pay.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers
Pick No. 14 | 2013 Grade: +14.2
Nelson isn't the flashiest of receivers, but he's as productive as they come. I've already got Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, so being able to rely on a duo that has produced a 148.2 grade on targeted passes is pretty handy.
Joe Thomas, OT, Browns
Pick No. 22 | 2013 Grade: +15.8
If you're going to get a left tackle, then you should get one who is a stud in pass protection, right? Despite being hindered by quarterbacks who like to hold onto the ball, Thomas has the fifth-best pass-blocking efficiency score of all left tackles and has allowed just 18 quarterback disruptions all year.
David DeCastro, OG, Steelers:
Pick No. 26 | 2013 Grade: +11.7
I know how much Steve loves DeCastro, so I wasn't going to let him have him. That's petty of me, but it ensures I have one of the premier, run-mauling guards in the league. The Pro Bowl may not be the perfect place for him to show off those skills, but he certainly deserves the nod.
J.J. Watt, DE, Texans:
Pick No. 1 | 2013 Grade: +44.5
The only surprise here to some may be that I went with him with my first pick. Why not, though? His sack numbers are down, but Watt has still made more defensive stops in the run game (22) than any other 3-4 end, while he once again is comfortably the most productive pass-rusher.
Gerald McCoy, DT, Buccaneers
Pick No. 11 | 2013 Grade: +19.9
You could say (and you'd be right) that a lot is asked of McCoy. The Bucs aren't blessed with a lot of talent on their defensive line, but McCoy sticks out for his ability to make plays in every phase of the game.
Derrick Johnson, ILB, Chiefs
Pick No. 27 | 2013 Grade: +11.4
The top-ranked inside linebacker in our rankings, Johnson goes under the radar relative to the impact he makes on the field. He's second at his position with 34 defensive stops, with 10 of those coming in coverage, which highlights his closing ability.
Justin Houston, OLB, Chiefs
Pick No. 18 | 2013 Grade: +20.8
I ended up with both Chiefs outside linebackers (taking Tamba Hali, too), but it was the all-around game of Houston that made him my first selection. As if it's not enough that he has the third-highest pass rushing productivity score of all linebackers, he's seventh in defensive stops against the run and even earned a positive grade for his work in coverage.
Earl Thomas, FS, Seahawks
Pick No. 31 | 2013 Grade: +11.0
Steve played it safe with his safety selection, but I've gone for a guy who can contribute on every down. You might get a few more negative plays with Thomas, but he's quick to support in the run game and those four interceptions highlight his playmaking ability.
Justin Bethel, ST, Vikings
Pick No. 47 | 2013 Grade: +6.5
It never hurts to show some love for the special teamers. Bethel, the premier gunner in the league, has already drawn five penalties on special teams from opposing players who just can't slow him down.
Great point about Thomas playing with Flipper back there. He'd be #1 with Hoyer back there this season.
No idea how I didn't think of Cameron. Nobody on the browns OL should be a pro bowler right now in my opinion.
Get Hoyer back next year. Take a QB in the first round to groom behind Hoyer for a year.