We’ve passed the halfway point of the season, so we have a pretty good idea at this point which players are most deserving of an invite to the 2016 Pro Bowl. This year’s Pro Bowl will be held in Orlando, located right between where the Raiders beat the Jaguars and Buccaneers in consecutive weeks. So, they have some fond memories of their time in Florida this year already.
There are a few Raiders players who are deserving of your vote to add to their positive Florida experience this year with a trip to Orlando. That is, of course, a trip to Houston would be far preferable.
Quarterback Derek Carr
A Pro Bowler in 2015, he is on pace to shatter his numbers from last season. He is currently the NFL’s fifth leading passer in both yards (2505) and touchdowns (17), which if he continued on this pace he would finish with 4453 yards passing, 30 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper
Also a Pro Bowler in 2015, he currently sits as the NFL’s third leading receiver with 843 yards. That puts him on pace to surpass his 2015 total by week 12 and finish with nearly 1500 yards receiving.
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree
Crabtree is currently third in the NFL with 6 receiving touchdowns. He is on pace for 1060 receiving yards, which oddly enough is ten yards less than Cooper had last season when he made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. And Crabtree has already matched Coop’s 2015 TD total.
Offensive tackle Donald Penn
A stalwart blindside protector with all the attitude and leadership a unit needs.
Offensive guard Kelechi Osemele
A mauler who, despite never having made a Pro Bowl, got a contract that showed his standing in NFL circles far outweighs the opinion of the voters who can rarely tell when a guard who isn’t on their team performs. He is the best lineman on arguably the best offensive line in football right now.
Center Rodney Hudson
He has had his moments this season. He is also coming off probably his best performance while dominating the Broncos defensive line to help the team put up 218 yards on the ground. His work hand-in-hand with Derek Carr can’t be understated. Their ability to diagnose and pick apart defenses has improved in their second season together.
Defensive end, Khalil Mack
Duh. Dual position All Pro in 2015. On pace over the past four games to surpass Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt’s 2015 sack total. Big duh.
Cornerback David Amerson
Third in the NFL with 15 passes defended. He also has 2 interceptions. This after having the second most passes defended last season. So, this is not a flash in the pan thing. He is a deserving Pro Bowl selection.
Free safety Reggie Nelson
After leading the NFL in interceptions last season (8), he is currently tied for third in the league with three interceptions. That also leads the Raiders. He’s also fourth in the league in tackles (43) among safeties.
Punter Marquette King
The only punter in the league in the top five in punt average (48.4), downed punts (9), and punts inside the 20 (21). His net punt yardage is one yard out of the top five as well. Also the most exciting punter in the league. That has to count for something, right?
Armed with this knowledge, go now, and vote accordingly.
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