3 players set to make their Pro Bowl debuts in 2019

The Pro Bowl doesn't quite hold the prestige it once did.

Fan apathy and Pro Bowlers dropping out, thus forcing less-worthy players to be selected, have certainly taken the shine off the event, but earning a Pro-Bowl berth is still something every NFLer hopes to achieve.

Players such as Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen took their games to another level in 2017 and broke into the All-Star ranks for the first time. So, which players are primed for similar leaps next year and could make their first Pro Bowl appearances? Here are three candidates.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles

2017 stats: 62 catches, 768 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 12.4 YPC

Agholor's first two NFL seasons were a major disappointment. The Philadelphia Eagles' young receiver was plagued by drops and inconsistent play, and he was closer to being cut than emerging as a star prior to the 2017 season.

But it all finally clicked this year for Agholor, who excelled under Doug Pederson's guidance and developed a strong chemistry with Carson Wentz. The pass-catcher did most of his damage from the slot, but also displayed impressive versatility, consistently producing big plays on screens and more exotic play calls, like the modified jet sweep against the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round:

Agholor's production dipped with the loss of Wentz, especially when working as a downfield threat. He had yards-per-catch averages of 8.4, 8.8, 3.7, and eight with Nick Foles before a solid performance in the NFC Championship Game.

But Wentz believes he'll be ready to return from his knee injury by Week 1, and if he and Agholor can continue where they left off, the sky's the limit for the ascending wideout.

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Browns

2017 stats: 29 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Unless your name is Joe Thomas, it's close to impossible to make it to the Pro Bowl as a member of the lowly Cleveland Browns. But that doesn't mean the Browns don't have players who are close to being worthy of that honor - and Ogbah is right at the top of that list.

The pass-rusher was a dominant run defender in 2017 and was a major reason for the Browns improving to the seventh-best rush defense, a year after finishing 31st.

Ogbah's season was cut short due to a foot injury after 10 games, but at the time he went down, he was tied for seventh in the NFL in combined sacks (four) and tackles for loss (15), ahead of established stars like Von Miller and Ndamukong Suh.

Ogbah needs another season to diversify his pass-rushing repertoire, but having a fully healthy Myles Garrett opposite him should draw more than enough attention away for the soon-to-be third-year lineman to boost his pressure numbers.

It would also likely help if the Browns could win a game or two in 2018.

Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers

2017 stats: 45 catches, 579 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 12.9 YPC

The Los Angeles Chargers get some crazy luck at tight end. Antonio Gates has made defense's lives hell for the past 17 years, and now Henry is more than ready to take the torch from the future Hall of Famer.

The former second-round pick saw a modest improvement from a statistical standpoint in 2017 (though his touchdown numbers dropped from eight to four), but that was more to do with the Chargers' struggles getting him consistently involved rather than his talent.

Henry's solid hands, great body control, and threat over the middle of the field were on display whenever he was part of the action, which was highlighted in this impressive one-handed touchdown catch in Week 4:

Gates is all but certain to retire this offseason, leaving a significant void that Henry is primed to fill.

If L.A. can find more ways to take advantage of the athletic 6-foot-5, 250-pounder, Henry will be making Pro Bowls long after the 2018 season.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)