Here are five AFC players with the biggest gripes about not making the initial cut.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert
Herbert picked a bad year to have his best season. He’s put up bigger numbers during his five-year NFL career, but he’s arguably never played better.
Through the Chargers’ first 16 games, Herbert is 304-of-468 (65%) for 3,524 yards, 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. His 0.6% interception rate is the lowest in the league.
Unfortunately for Herbert, he plays in the same conference as Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Each has been even better than Herbert, so if someone had to be snubbed, voters picked the right quarterback. But that doesn’t change the fact Herbert’s season has been Pro Bowl-worthy.
Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith
Smith has flown under the radar during a disappointing Dolphins season overall. He’s arguably having a better year than Pro Bowl Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, entering Week 18 with five more yards (828) on 18 fewer receptions (79) than the three-time Super Bowl champion.
Smith’s seven touchdowns are tied for the third-most among tight ends, and only Pro Bowl Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers has gained more yards after catch (YAC) than Smith, who has 457 YAC.
Steelers running back Najee Harris
The Steelers’ workhorse back has quietly put together his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Harris has 251 carries, 1,007 yards and five touchdowns. Per Sumer Sports, he averages facing 6.71 box defenders, the second-most among 46 ball carriers with at least 100 rush attempts. Only Texans running back Joe Mixon averages more box defenders (6.79).
According to Stathead, Harris is the first running back since former 10-year veteran Chris Johnson (2007-11) to begin his career with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Johnson also had three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances during that streak, while Harris is stuck on one.
Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas
The rookie wideout’s awesome season has been one of the only good things to come from the Jaguars’ horrendous 2024 campaign. Entering the last week of the regular season, Thomas has 80 receptions, 1,179 receiving yards, the fifth-most among wide receivers, and 10 touchdowns.
He has the 10th most receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history and only needs 21 yards to become the ninth player to have 1,200 receiving yards in his first season. (h/t Stathead)
Broncos defensive interior lineman Zach Allen
The Broncos defense has been one of the most improved units from last season to 2024. Its ability to generate pressure has been instrumental to the turnaround. In 2023, Denver ranked 29th in pressure rate (18.2%). This season, the Broncos are third in pressure rate (27.2%).
Allen has been hugely important in righting the ship. Per PFF, he ranks fourth among AFC defenders in total pressures (73). He’s also third in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings among defensive tackles and his 49 “wins,” or pass rushes when he beat his block within 2.5 seconds, are the most among players at his position.
