How these 3 Pro Bowl surprises earned a trip to Orlando
The 2018 Pro Bowl rosters were released Tuesday, and while injuries, Super Bowl contention, and just general unwillingness mean the rosters are far from final, the first drafts include several surprises for more casual fans of the game.
Here's how three players became names to know in 2017.
A.J. Bouye, CB, Jaguars
Bouye can get a little lost when discussing the NFL's best defense. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive end Calais Campbell have hogged the spotlight - rightfully so - but Bouye ranks as Pro Football Focus' No. 5 cornerback on the season, just three spots below his more revered teammate.
Bouye's the reason the Jaguars' pass defense ranks seventh by Football Outsiders' DVOA against opposing No. 2 receivers, limiting the position to 5.7 targets and 34.2 yards per game.
There's no reason to believe he wouldn't be capable of shutting down the opponent's No. 1 option if the incrementally superior Ramsey wasn't lined up on the other side of the field.
Micah Hyde, SS, Bills
Hyde has vastly improved with age and after an offseason move to the Bills. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 2013 fifth round, Hyde was often the weak spot of the Packers' secondary in his first couple NFL seasons.
After showing improvement in 2016, he signed a five-year, $30.5-million contract with the Bills, and has become PFF's ninth-ranked safety, No. 2 from the AFC.
Through 14 games, he boasts career bests of 69 combined tackles and five interceptions.
Budda Baker, ST, Cardinals
Baker, a 2017 second-round draft pick, has racked up 59 combined tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and one recovery in 14 games. He ranks as PFF's No. 16 safety on the season, despite playing just 41.5 percent of defensive snaps.
Baker only transitioned into the defensive unit mid-way through the season. His rise to glory, and Pro Bowl selection, are due to him playing 64.6 percent of the Cardinals special teams' snaps.
The hard-hitting rookie could force some offensive players to think twice about playing the extra game.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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