Cincinnati Bengals: Are any players deserving of Pro Bowl nod?
By Kenn Korb
Carlos Dunlap
Dunlap entered this season with high expectations — not simply because he’s long been the most consistent pass rusher for his team, but the 29 year old just signed a three-year/$40.65 million contract extension in August.
His team has struggled mightily on defense for much of the season, but Dunlap has for the most part been a positive force. His eight sacks are already more than his total last season, and with games against Oakland and Cleveland remaining he’ll have a decent shot at reaching double-digits for the second time in his career. His Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grade is 81.0, led by a run defense grade of 85.3 — a total which stands sixth among all edge defenders this season.
Here’s the problem: while Dunlap has been good, others at his position have been great. Only six defensive ends get to make the Pro Bowl roster, and there are too many names sitting pretty above Dunlap.
J.J. Watt is finally back in the conversation of best defensive players league-wide. Myles Garrett’s talent which got him drafted No. 1 overall has been on full display. Danielle Hunter and Cam Jordan have often been the most consistent pieces of their respective hot-and-cold defenses. Chris Jones has broken out in a big way as a pass rusher this year. Each of them already has double-digit sacks and are better in terms of PFF grading.
Again we end with maybe one spot open, and Dunlap has a ton of competition. From the standpoint of sack numbers, guys such as Chandler Jones, Frank Clark, and Jason Pierre-Paul are also in double-digits. In terms of PFF grade, Demarcus Lawrence, Brandon Graham, Trey Flowers, Jerry Hughes and Olivier Vernon all sit above Dunlap there.
From that group, there’s at least two who should definitely beat out Dunlap (Lawrence and Flowers); as for the rest, it would be a toss-up at best for him. Suffice to say, it’d be an upset for him to make the roster this time around.
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