Pro Bowl snubs: 6 players the NFL failed to reward

The NFL unveiled rosters for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games on Wednesday, and some deserving names were inexplicably missing from the AFC and NFC teams.

Here are the six greatest snubs:

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins

It's hard to argue against Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Joe Burrow in the AFC, but it should've been even harder to go against Tagovailoa. The former fifth overall pick has flourished in coach Mike McDaniel's creative scheme, putting up huge numbers while positioning Miami to snap its six-year playoff drought.

Tagovailoa, who opened his career with two lackluster campaigns, leads the NFL with a 107.8 passer rating. He's completing a healthy 64.8% of his passes, and he has the best ratio in the NFL with 24 touchdowns to five interceptions. The Dolphins have looked nearly unstoppable when Tagovailoa has been on the field. Conversely, they're 0-3 in games Tagovailoa couldn't finish due to injury, further solidifying his impact.

Matt Milano, LB, Bills

Milano continues to be one of the most disrespected linebackers in the NFL. The 28-year-old, who's arguably the most valuable player on the Bills' defense this year, is having one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, amassing 85 tackles (12 for loss), eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions, including a pick-6.

Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens and C.J. Mosley of the New York Jets - the two inside linebackers who made the cut in the AFC over Milano - are having solid campaigns with 130 tackles apiece. But their games have more limitations than Milano's, as they aren't nearly as good in pass coverage. We often see players earning All-Pro honors despite being left out of the Pro Bowl, and that might happen with Milano this season.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers

McCaffrey might be this year's biggest snub. The 26-year-old, who joined San Francisco in a trade from the Carolina Panthers in October, has put on a show. His 2022 campaign is arguably better than any of the three running backs who've been selected to represent the NFC at the Pro Bowl Games.

McCaffrey's stats as a runner alone aren't off the charts, as he's rushed for 927 yards (4.6 per carry) and six touchdowns. However, the former All-Pro, who was the fan vote leader for the Pro Bowl at his position, has also caught 74 passes for 623 yards and four scores and even threw a 34-yard TD early this season.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions

Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown are no-brainers among NFC wide receivers, but are we sure St. Brown didn't deserve to make the cut over Terry McLaurin or even CeeDee Lamb?

St. Brown, who burst onto the scene as a fourth-round pick last year, has been Detroit's most reliable weapon in the passing game this campaign. He's also racked up more scrimmage yards, first downs, and total touchdowns than McLaurin despite playing one fewer game.

Javon Hargrave, DT, Eagles

The Eagles can't cry foul after receiving a league-high eight selections, but something feels wrong about Hargrave missing out. The 29-year-old has 10 sacks from the interior of the defensive line, putting him among the league leaders at his position, and has another nine tackles for loss. He's spent as much time in opposing backfields as any defensive lineman in the NFL. Hargrave has been the Eagles' best defensive lineman, if not their best defensive player.

Andrew Thomas, OT, Giants

It's been a special season for Thomas, who's finally living up to being the fourth overall pick in 2020. He's started all 14 games at left tackle for New York, allowing just three sacks in 537 pass-block snaps. The 23-year-old is the fourth-best offensive tackle in the NFL, according to PFF, yet the league didn't have room for him on the NFC roster.