New York Giants: Who was snubbed from the Pro Bowl and how did Evan Engram make it?

New York Giants, Leonard Williams
Sep 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) throws a pass while pressured by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first quarter of a NFL football game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

While the Pro Bowl won’t be played this year due to COVID-19, the meaning behind it still stands. Earning the right to be claimed a Pro Bowl level player is something most players desire, but winning games in the NFL still remains a priority. The New York Giants are currently 5-9 on the season, and making the Pro Bowl for some of their players might be a nice consolation prize.

Most thought linebacker Blake Martinez and safety Logan Ryan would be among the names chosen, but unfortunately, they were snubbed. Star corner James Bradberry made the cut, and surprisingly, so did TE Evan Engram.

Engram has 54 catches for 572 yards and two touchdowns this season but has dropped six passes and allowed multiple turnovers. This was an interesting selection, and one nobody imagined, based on the visual display of inadequacy at times and his inability to hold onto the football.

Nonetheless, is the first Pro Bowl appearance for Engram and something that holds value based on his reaction. He was extremely excited to have earned the right and the star next to his statistical output for the 2020 campaign. It seems as if team representatives and coaches from around the NFL held Engram in high regard, while he voted 4th in fan voting.

The New York Giants deserved more appearances:

One major snub for the Giants was interior defender Leonard Williams. Williams has been stellar this season, earning 8.5 sacks, 49 combined tackles, and 24 QB hits. He has been considered one of the best interior defenders in the NFL up to this point, and with two weeks left in the season, he will break almost every personal record. The last time he earned a Pro Bowl selection was in 2016, and the only statistic he actually was better in was combined tackles. This season, he has been a monstrous pass rusher and done a solid job in run defense.

Blake Martinez is another player who should’ve been considered more realistically. He is fourth in the NFL with 128 tackles, five quarterback hits, and 2.0 sacks. He also has a career-low 6.6% missed tackle rate and has been solid in coverage, not allowing a touchdown for the first time in his career.

The Giants had multiple players who could’ve made the Pro Bowl, but it is nice for them to at least see two earn the accolade. The Giants haven’t had this quality of play in quite some time at specific positions, so seeing the latest free agency pool pay off and their homegrown tight end become recognized around the NFL is undoubtedly a positive.