• Kerby Joseph is an apparent omission: The star Lions security recorded one of the best PFF protection grade amongst non-defensive linemen and likewise leads the league in picks.
• Some AFC defensive query marks: Poona Ford, Brandon Jones and Danielle Hunter had higher circumstances than gamers like Nnamdi Madubuike, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Maxx Crosby.
• 2025 NFL Draft season is right here: Attempt PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and find out about 2025’s high prospects whereas buying and selling and drafting to your favourite NFL staff.
Estimated Studying Time: 7 minutes
The NFL Professional Bowl stays one of the vital polarizing occasions and accolades in all of sports activities. Whereas being chosen for the occasion is usually a mirrored image of excellent season-long play — and even a serious criterion in Corridor of Fame voting — the sport doesn’t all the time truly decide probably the most deserving gamers.
With out fail, yearly delivers some head-scratching snubs, and 2025 was no totally different. These 10 gamers put forth terrific seasons however, for some purpose, gained’t partake within the festivities in Orlando (for now).
S Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
Joseph is tied for the fourth-highest-graded defender within the NFL (91.0), with one of the best protection grade (91.9) amongst non-defensive linemen. On high of that, he racked up a gaudy 9 interceptions in 2024. One way or the other, that wasn’t ok to warrant a spot within the Professional Bowl.
Budda Baker and Brian Department are each very sturdy gamers, however neither ought to have been the recipient of this honor over Joseph. Regardless of an unbelievable begin to the 12 months, Department pale down the stretch, recording solely a 62.1 PFF general grade and a 51.8 PFF protection grade from Week 10 onward. Likewise, Baker completed 10th amongst certified safeties in PFF general grade (77.8) and 14th in PFF protection grade (74.7) regardless of flourishing as a run defender but once more.
T Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles
Mailata wasn’t simply nice for the Eagles; he was nearly traditionally good. The 27-year-old owns a 95.8 PFF general grade, the best amongst any NFL participant with 500 or extra snaps this 12 months on both facet of the ball. Furthermore, Mailata’s mark is one of the best for any offensive participant since Trent Williams (97.1) in 2021. Regardless of taking part in in solely 12 video games, Mailata nonetheless recorded 0.56 wins above alternative, main all offensive linemen.
Penei Sewell, Lane Johnson and Tristan Wirfs are all meritorious picks in their very own proper, rating within the high 10 in PFF general grade amongst tackles. However the easy fact is that none was pretty much as good as Mailata, one among two offensive linemen with 90.0-plus run- and pass-blocking grades.
Highest-Graded Tackles in 2024
RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson ranks second amongst working backs in PFF general grade (92.8) and dashing grade (92.8) whereas main the place in wins above alternative (0.27). By all measures, he loved a real breakout season in his second 12 months as a professional, however he doesn’t have the Professional Bowl to indicate for it.
Even when Saquon Barkley wasn’t as sound analytically, slotting tenth in PFF general grade and eleventh in PFF dashing grade, there’s little argument in opposition to him after a terrific all-purpose season. Josh Jacobs and Jahmyr Gibbs had been each excellent in their very own rights too, however Robinson appears like he ought to have been the choice over Gibbs — particularly given the broader energy of Detroit’s offense (third in passing EPA per play).
CB Trent McDuffie, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Amongst all cornerbacks to play 350 or extra snaps, McDuffie’s 83.1 PFF general grade slots second and his 80.6 protection grade is fifth. He loved as well-rounded of a season as realistically potential for a cornerback, securing 76.0-plus PFF grades as a run defender, tackler, pass-rusher and protection defender. Regardless of one other terrific 12 months — one wherein he stabilized Kansas Metropolis’s oft-injured protection — McDuffie wasn’t picked for the Professional Bowl.
Pat Surtain II was an apparent decide, so there aren’t gripes there. However McDuffie in all probability ought to have gotten a nod over Derek Stingley Jr. (73.9 PFF general grade) or Denzel Ward (68.4), even when others lead in classes like passer score allowed when focused.
CB Christian Benford, Buffalo Payments
Benford falls into the identical class as McDuffie: a terrific cornerback on an elite staff who was positively snubbed for extra family names. His 82.6 PFF general grade ranks fourth amongst qualifiers on the place, and his 82.8 protection grade trails solely three others. If that wasn’t sufficient, Benford missed simply 3.3% of his tackles and permitted solely two touchdowns on 51 targets.
RB James Conner, Atlanta Falcons
The Cardinals‘ late-season collapse in all probability didn’t bolster Conner’s case, however he was a implausible participant all season lengthy. Conner’s 90.4 PFF general grade and 90.6 PFF dashing grade rank fifth amongst certified working backs, and he’s additionally fourth in wins above alternative on the place (0.20). Furthermore, Conner completed third in missed tackles pressured and fourth in runs of 10 or extra yards.
Extending the dialogue from Bijan Robinson, it could’ve been tough to decide on Conner over Barkley or Jacobs. Nevertheless, there’s a legit case that he ought to have gotten in over Gibbs.
Highest-Graded Operating Backs in 2024
Dl Poona Ford, Los Angeles Chargers
In his first season as a Charger, Ford was the most effective inside defenders within the NFL. The previous Seahawk posted an 85.1 PFF general grade, rating fifth amongst qualifying defensive linemen and third within the AFC, along with a 78.8 PFF run-defense grade. Admittedly, he wasn’t as efficient as a pass-rusher, producing solely 23 pressures and an 8.2% pass-rush win price, however his 0.19 wins above alternative nonetheless ranks for 16th amongst all inside linemen.
There shouldn’t be any gripes in regards to the picks of Cam Heyward or Chris Jones, however choosing Nnamdi Madubuike (68.3 PFF general grade, 62.5 PFF run-defense grade) over Ford was poor judgment.
S Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos
After signing with the Broncos in free company, Jones rounded into one of many higher safeties in soccer. His 86.7 PFF general grade is third on the place — trailing solely Kerby Joseph and Kyle Hamilton — whereas his 90.1 protection mark positioned second. Furthermore, Jones’ 28 stops had been tied for 14th amongst his counterparts, and he permitted solely a 63.1 passer score when focused, good for the sixth-lowest mark.
The truth that Minkah Fitzpatrick (68.4 PFF general grade) made the Professional Bowl over Jones is most definitely not merited. Fitzpatrick is within the midst of his lowest-graded season since 2021 and has allowed a catch on 75.6% of targets into his protection, whereas Jones has carried out at a career-best degree in 2024.
CB Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles inserted DeJean into the beginning lineup in Week 6, and since that time, Philadelphia ranks first in success price and EPA per play. That’s no coincidence, given DeJean’s stellar 82.7 PFF general grade, one of the best for any rookie cornerback and third amongst all qualifiers on the place. The Iowa product was multi-dimensionally sturdy, recording a 90.8 PFF run-defense grade (second) and a 79.3 PFF protection grade (sixth).
It isn’t straightforward for a rookie slot cornerback to make the Professional Bowl, however DeJean has a very good case in comparison with virtually all the picks. Jaycee Horn (64.5 general grade) didn’t even end within the high 50 in both PFF general or protection grades, whereas DeJean ended with greater general and protection grades than Devon Witherspoon, Jaylon Johnson and Byron Murphy Jr.
EDGE Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans
Hunter seemed like his peak self in his first 12 months in Houston. The 30-year-old has generated 66 pressures, 33 stops and a 16.2% pass-rush win price, all of which rank within the high 15 amongst certified edge rushers.
Admittedly, the AFC is loaded at each defensive finish and edge rusher, providing little leeway for a participant like Hunter. Nonetheless, omitting him for Maxx Crosby appears like a whiff. Whereas Crosby is often one of the vital unstoppable gamers within the NFL, he didn’t carry out as nicely in an injury-riddled 2024, notching solely a 74.1 PFF general grade with a 12.7% pass-rush win price — each of which had been his lowest since 2020.
