Honestly, the Pro Bowl voting system has always been a bit of a head-scratcher. Every year, there are players who just dominate, leaving their opponents in the dust, only to get completely ignored when the rosters drop. And let me tell you, the 2025 edition of this spectacle didn’t disappoint — in its ability to absolutely infuriate fans.
Here are the 10 players who put up Pro Bowl-worthy seasons but got snubbed in favor of some less-deserving names. And no, I’m not overreacting. Well, maybe a little.
10. Danielle Hunter (EDGE, Houston Texans)
Hunter turned back the clock this year, racking up 66 pressures and a top-15 pass-rush win rate. He’s the reason Houston’s defense stayed in games they had no business competing in.
Maxx Crosby got in over him, despite having his worst season since 2020. I love Crosby, but this wasn’t his year. It was Hunter’s.
9. Cooper DeJean (CB, Philadelphia Eagles)
DeJean wasn’t even a starter until Week 6, but once he got in, the Eagles’ defense skyrocketed. First in success rate, first in EPA per play, and he was a major reason why. His grades? Best among rookies and better than guys like Jaycee Horn, who somehow made the Pro Bowl.
This kid deserved a spot, plain and simple.
8. Brandon Jones (S, Denver Broncos)
Brandon Jones might not have the flashiest name, but he balled out this season. Third-best safety grade in the league, second in coverage, and a 63.1 passer rating allowed when targeted. That’s just nasty.
Meanwhile, Minkah Fitzpatrick slides into the Pro Bowl despite putting up his lowest grades since 2021. Explain that one to me.
7. Poona Ford (DL, Los Angeles Chargers)
Ford was a quiet monster for the Chargers this year. Fifth-best grade among defensive linemen, third-best in the AFC, and just generally a nightmare for offensive lines. His run defense? Top-tier.
And who gets in instead? Nnamdi Madubuike. No offense to the guy, but his grades were so much lower than Ford’s, it’s almost laughable.
6. James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
I know, I know — the Cardinals were bad this year. But James Conner? He was very good on a very bad team. Fifth-best rushing grade in the league, third in missed tackles forced, and a knack for turning absolutely nothing into something.
If anyone deserved recognition for dragging his team kicking and screaming through a rough season, it was Conner. Yet he’s sitting at home while others bask in Orlando.
5. Christian Benford (CB, Buffalo Bills)
Benford is basically McDuffie’s twin in this argument. Fourth-highest overall grade for a corner, allowed just two touchdowns all year, and missed 3.3% of his tackles. But sure, let’s prioritize household names instead.
It’s almost like the voters didn’t watch a single Bills game this year. Maybe they didn’t. Could you blame them after that overtime disaster in Week 14?
4. Trent McDuffie (CB, Kansas City Chiefs)
Do you know how rare it is to find a corner who can do everything well? Trent McDuffie had top-five grades in coverage, tackling, pass-rushing, and run defense. That’s… absurd. He held Kansas City’s defense together like duct tape on an old lawn chair.
And yet, somehow, Derek Stingley Jr. and Denzel Ward snuck in instead. Stingley was solid. Ward? Not even close. Somebody’s going to have to explain this one to me like I’m five.
3. Bijan Robinson (RB, Atlanta Falcons)
Look, Bijan Robinson had one of those seasons where you’d assume the Pro Bowl invitation was waiting for him in his locker before the voting even opened. Second in rushing grades, first in wins above replacement for running backs, and just generally making defenders look like they were stuck in quicksand.
But nope. Apparently, we needed Jahmyr Gibbs there instead. Don’t get me wrong — Gibbs is electric — but Bijan outclassed him in nearly every metric. Maybe next year, kid.
2. Jordan Mailata (T, Philadelphia Eagles)
This one? This one physically hurts. Mailata was the best player in the entire NFL (according to PFF) this season. Not just tackles, not just offensive linemen — the whole shebang. With a 95.8 grade, he was historically good.
Yet, here we are, watching Penei Sewell and Lane Johnson get the nod over him. Nothing against those guys, but Mailata is out here playing like a human bulldozer, and we just… ignored it?
1. Kerby Joseph (S, Detroit Lions)
Oh, where do I even start? Kerby Joseph had the best coverage grade in the league among non-defensive linemen. That’s not just “good for him”; that’s elite. Throw in his league-leading 9 interceptions, and you’ve got yourself a Pro Bowl lock. Or so we thought.
Instead, we get Budda Baker and Brian Branch, who — while solid — weren’t Kerby Joseph good. I mean, Baker ranked 10th in safety grades, and Branch faded harder than my New Year’s resolutions by Week 10. But hey, name recognition, right?
The Pro Bowl isn’t just a popularity contest — or at least, it shouldn’t be. These players showed week in and week out that they’re among the best in the league. Yet here we are, scratching our heads and ranting on the internet. Again.
If nothing else, let this serve as a reminder: stats don’t lie. But voters? Sometimes they do.
P.S. If Kerby Joseph doesn’t make the All-Pro team, we riot.
P.P.S. Can someone tell me why the Pro Bowl is still in Orlando?
P.P.P.S. My fantasy team would’ve been better if I’d just drafted all these guys.