Predictions for 1 first-time Pro Bowler on all 32 NFL teams
By Brad Weiss
Predictions for 1 first-time Pro Bowler on all 32 NFL teams
Minnesota Vikings: Irv Smith Jr., TE
After a breakout 2018 season with the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Minnesota Vikings selected Irv Smith Jr. in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The son of a former NFL player, Smith grew up around the game, and across his first two seasons, he displayed the kind of athleticism teams need in a tight end in today’s game.
Unfortunately, Smith would tear his meniscus heading into Year 3, and the injury forced him to miss the entire 2021 campaign. With elite wide receivers on the outside, and Smith as the unquestioned starter at tight end, I could see him breaking out in a big way this season, giving Kirk Cousins a dominant middle-of-the-field option.
New England Patriots: DaVante Parker, WR
This offseason, the Miami Dolphins traded away DaVante Parker for a draft pick, ending what was a seven-year run in South Beach. Parker has everything you look for in a legitimate WR1 but has never stayed healthy enough to become one of the better wideouts in the NFL.
The 2019 season was by far Parker’s best, as he appeared in a career-high 16 games, and racked up over 1,200 yards receiving. With Jones continuing his development, and Parker being the WR1 in New England, you have to think this is his best chance in while to put together a Pro Bowl season.