5 offensive players who could make their 1st Pro Bowl in 2016

The Pro Bowl may not have the credibility it once did, with players often opting out of the All-Star game and forcing others to step in that don't necessarily deserve to be there.

But more often than not, the right players are initially chosen. Sometimes players receive instant Pro-Bowl recognition, while others have to wait until later in their careers for fans to catch up to their production.

Let's look at five offensive non-rookie players who could be set to make their first Pro Bowl appearance in 2016.

David Johnson, Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said earlier this offseason that Johnson earned the right to be team's "bell cow" running back during his rookie season and he believes the 24-year-old has a shot of being one of the best ever at his position.

Arians is known for his reluctance to shower players with praise, so his gushing over Johnson says a lot.

Despite the presence of Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington in 2015, Johnson managed to prove himself as one of the league's most well-rounded backs. Along with 581 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, he finished fourth on the team with 36 catches and 457 yards.

With a featured role in Arizona's high-powered offense, the sky's the limit for Johnson in 2016 and beyond.

Marcus Mariota, Titans

Despite being the NFL's hardest position, quarterback is arguably the easiest position with which to make the Pro Bowl.

The combination of a lack of talent and the elite players either appearing in the Super Bowl or opting not to play in the game means passers like Derek Carr and Teddy Bridgewater made the All-Star contest in their second seasons.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mariota could be next in line to benefit from this issue.

That isn't to take away from what Mariota will likely achieve in 2016. In 12 games last season, he threw for 19 touchdowns, ran for two more, and came close to the 3,000 passing yards.

If he can stay healthy in 2016, and with DeMarco Murray in the backfield to keep defenses honest, Mariota should follow the same path as his fellow young quarterbacks and make the first of what will likely be many Pro Bowl appearances.

Zach Ertz, Eagles

Normally when a tight end has a 75-catch, 853-yard season, they're a lock for the Pro Bowl. However, Ertz was arguably one of 2015's biggest snubs after putting together the best season of his three-year career.

The Eagles made it clear they viewed Ertz as a offensive cornerstone when they inked him to a five-year, $42.5-million contract extension in January. The contract may put added pressure on Ertz to take the next step, but it also gives him the league-wide attention needed to make a Pro Bowl.

Lacking a true No. 1 wideout, plus Sam Bradford's desire to focus on the middle of the field, Ertz won't be overlooked for a second consecutive year.

Carlos Hyde, 49ers

Last season, it appeared San Francisco 49ers running back Hyde was on the verge of breaking out, despite playing on one of the league's worst offenses. While a foot injury halted his Pro-Bowl trajectory, the upcoming season's partnership with head coach Chip Kelly means Hyde is set for a career year.

Kelly likes to use a single back in his offense, meaning Hyde is looking at 300-plus carries if he can stay healthy. If Hyde replicates his play from last season on that number of totes, a 1,200-yard season is more than realistic.

It doesn't hurt that with Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert under center, the 49ers will likely heavily rely on the running game in 2016.

Keenan Allen, Chargers

Last season should have been Allen's year.

Before his 2015 campaign was limited to just eight games due to a lacerated kidney, Allen was on pace for 134 catches for 1,450 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers would have made it virtually impossible for him to be snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

The free-agent addition of speedster Travis Benjamin should open up the middle of the field even more for Allen, and with the 24-year-old's position as Philip Rivers' favorite target set in stone, 2016 should make up for 2015's disappointment.