The NFL announced the rosters for the 2019 Pro Bowl on Tuesday and three New York Giants players were selected as starters. Those players include rookie running back Saquon Barkley, the NFL’s most efficient kicker this season in Aldrick Rosas, and the injured captain of the defense Landon Collins.
Saquon Barkley:
Saquon Barkley, the extraordinary rookie running back out of Penn State will participate in his first Pro Bowl of his career this year. The number two overall pick from last year’s draft leads all rookies in rushing yards and is third in the NFL in that category with 1,155 rushing yards on the season so far. Saquon has also tallied nine rushing touchdowns so far this season. On top of that, Barkley has 82 receptions for 654 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. This totals his all-purpose yards at an astounding 1,809 yards with two games left to play. The Giants have a special player in Barkley. He is the first rookie Giants running back selected for the Pro Bowl since 1965. Giants fans should expect to see Barkley selected for the Pro Bowl on a yearly basis.
Heading to his first #ProBowl…
Every @Saquon touchdown so far! ??? https://t.co/PcAa2LEuUl
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2018
Aldrick Rosas:
After a rocky 2017, fans were skeptical of Aldrick Rosas and unsure if he should return to the team in 2018. However, it is now clear that the Giants front office made the right decision in keeping Rosas. Through 15 weeks of the 2018-2019 NFL season, Rosas has been the league’s best kicker. He has only missed one field goal all season, making his tally an impressive 28 for 29. His longest field goal of the season was a Giants team record 57 yard kick against the Chicago Bears. Rosas even won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week that week. Rosas will be the fourth Giants kicker selected to for the Pro Bowl in team history.
Fmr. @SOU_Football kicker Aldrick Rosas just popped at 57 yard field goal… That’s a @Giants record. pic.twitter.com/5CFqIdGGqX
— ????? ?????? (@brian_schnee) December 2, 2018
Landon Collins:
Former all-pro safety Landon Collins has now made the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons. Landon is a popular player in the NFL, known for his leadership and hard-hitting play style. Unfortunately, for the second season in a row, Collins will be unable to participate in the event due to injury.
https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/922205424413298691
Alternates And Snubs:
Many Giants fans were surprised to see that Odell Beckham Jr. was snubbed from the Pro Bowl roster in 2019. This is the secon season in Odell’s career that he was not selected as a Pro Bowl starter (last season he was not selected due to being placed on injured reserve in week 5.
However, Beckham Jr. was awarded as a second alternate, so it is likely he will have a chance to play in the game anyway. Along with Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants had two other players selected as alternates. Safety/special teamer Michael Thomas was selected as a special teamer first alternate.
Pass rushing outside linebacker Olivier Vernon was also selected as a first alternate. This shows that general managers and coaches around the NFL value Vernon’s play, which could boost his trade value this offseason. Another player who was snubbed from the Pro Bowl is linebacker Alec Ogletree. Ogletree has five interceptions this season and leads the Giants in tackles with 93 tackles. In the opinion of many Giants fans, his play during the second half of the season warrants a Pro Bowl selection.