After weeks of voting, the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl results are in and just one Atlanta Falcons player was named to the roster. Right guard Chris Lindstrom is the team’s lone representative on the NFC team.
Obviously, the Falcons aren’t having a great year at 5-9, but there is one player who at least had a case to make the roster. Defensive lineman Grady Jarrett is having a stellar season and you could argue it was worthy of another Pro Bowl selection.
Jarrett has accounted for seven sacks and 39 total quarterback pressures thus far in 2022. With three games remaining, the veteran lineman is on pace to top his previous career-high eight sacks which he recorded back in 2019. Additionally, Jarrett has amassed 30 tackles for loss.
So, how does he compare to others at the position like Aaron Donald, Dexter Lawrence and Johnathan Allen? Donald has accounted for five sacks and 40 total pressures. This is a lower sack total than Jarrett, but Donald has only played in 11 games due to injury.
Lawrence has undoubtedly been the best interior lineman in the NFC this year, racking up eight sacks and 53 total pressures. Johnathan Allen has also surpassed Jarrett with eight sacks and 47 total pressures. When looking at the numbers, it’s hard to argue Jarrett should replace Donald, Lawrence or Allen However, Donald has been shut down for the season, so there’s a chance Jarrett could be named as an alternate.
Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell and kicker Younghoe Koo didn’t have the kind of production to really merit an NFC roster spot. While both players are still arguably in the top five at their respective positions, each experienced a bit of a dropoff in 2022. Terrell has been fighting injuries all year, while Koo has suffered from the team’s lack of offensive production.
As for Cordarrelle Patterson, he may have had a case as a return specialist, but his numbers at the running back position were nowhere close to those who made the team. Patterson has 618 rushing yards and six touchdowns, but his receiving numbers — 12 catches for 65 yards – have gone way down from last season.
The Falcons don’t usually get much Pro Bowl representation, and this year is no exception.
