Top 15 2015 NFL Pro Bowl Snubs: Who Was Overlooked This Year

15. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown past Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Many thought that Gates was too old and worn to have a good season, much less put up Pro Bowl numbers. That clearly was not the case, as Gates is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 12, the same mark as Rob Gronkowski and Julius Thomas. Thomas and Gronkowski, in addition to Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen, are the tight ends that were elected to Arizona’s game. Gates is more deserving than all of them but Gronkowski. 65 catches for 754 yards and 12 touchdowns are great numbers for a tight end – and this is a tight end who’s been “done” for a while, according to many experts.

Graham has had an injury-plagued season, and his vote seems to be a fan popularity vote. Gates is having a better statistical season than Graham, Thomas, and Olsen, and has made tons of clutch catches for the Chargers. He caught three incredible touchdown passes against the stingy Seahawks’ defense in a Chargers’ victory – Gates is a main reason why San Diego won that game.

Gates has been selected as an alternate, so if either the Broncos or Patriots win the AFC, we’ll see Gates in the Pro Bowl.

Next: Sen'Derrick Marks