The Cleveland Browns sent just four players to the Pro Bowl this past season and have a chance to send a few more after this season ends.
While areas of the team have yet to fully break out, there are a few positions where the Browns clearly have some of the best talent in the NFL – particularly on defense. There are still a lot of games left in the season, but so far these players are the Browns’ best opportunities to have representation in the Pro Bowl.
Here are the top five predictions, plus one honorable mention.
DE Myles Garrett
This one is a no-brainer. Garrett is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL with the production to back it up. Offensive lines fear him so much he’s the second-most double-teamed defender in the league, per ESPN, but still ranks No. 1 in pass rush win rate. Garrett’s 8.5 sacks are also second in the NFL and his four forced fumbles rank first. The 28-year-old should make his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
CB Denzel Ward
Ward only has one interception on the season, but his pass defense ability could earn him his third Pro Bowl nod. Ward’s 48.8 percent completion rate allowed ranks first among all cornerbacks who’ve been targeted at least 40 times this season. His 5.6 yards per target and 64.0 passer rating allowed also rank third and fourth, respectively, among cornerbacks with at least 40 targets.
CB Martin Emerson
Could the Browns have two Pro Bowl cornerbacks? It’s possible with the emergence of Emerson, a second-year former third-round pick. He snagged his second interception of the season in Week 8 and his 38.8 percent competition rate allowed ranks first ahead of only Ward among cornerbacks with at least 30 targets. Emerson’s also allowed just a 41.7 percent passer rating this season – second behind only DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys.
LG Joel Bitonio
Bitonio has been a Pro Bowler for the Browns in each of the past five seasons and there’s no reason to think he won’t add a sixth to his career accolades. He ranks ninth among all interior offensive linemen in pass block win rate, per ESPN, and second among AFC guards. Bitonio remains one of the best at his position and is a big reason why the Browns offense has been able to stay afloat without stability at quarterback or running back.
S Grant Delpit
Delpit has turned it on in the final year of his rookie contract. He’s allowed the fifth-fewest yards per completion (7.8 yards) and the third-fewest yards per target (5.2 yards) among safeties. Delpit and the rest of the Browns secondary rank first in the league in passing yards allowed and have given up just eight passing touchdowns – tied for fourth-fewest in the league.
Honorable mention: TE David Njoku
Njoku will have a hard time making the Pro Bowl with stars like Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews still dominating in the AFC, but he remains one of the more consistent options at the position. His 293 receiving yards rank fifth in the conference
