NFL Pro Bowl 2019: 5 Players undeserving of selection
By Randy Gurzi
3. Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys
This one happens to be a case of a player getting into the Pro Bowl based on name recognition alone. There’s no debating that Tyron Smith has been a sensational left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys ever since they took him at No. 9 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of USC.
He quickly became a solid starter for Dallas and is now one of the best in the game at protecting his quarterback’s blind side. On top of that, he was the first puzzle piece in their massive offensive line overhaul which helped them field two different league-leading rushers since 2014 — with Ezekiel Elliot set to do that again this season.
Having said all that, this season hasn’t been Smith’s best. He’s struggled with health this year and missed two games, and part of another. When he has played, he’s also had issues with untimely holding penalties, which is likely due to his back, neck, and elbow issues that have been bothering him.
Smith is a good player and still can be counted on as a starter. However, he wasn’t at his best this season and seems to have gotten the nod because of the work he’s done in previous years rather than in 2018.