The next Pro Bowler is waiting on the draft board, waiting for their shot. Who will they be? Here are ten draft prospects who could become Pro Bowlers.
1) Saquon Barkley, RB
Running backs simply don’t go No. 1 overall these days, but it’s telling that Barkley looks like he’s in the mix. He should go top five and may be the first non-quarterback off the board. Barkley looks like one of the surest things in the draft. Fast and elusive, he should be a day-one starter who has proven he can handle an NFL-level workload. He should excel quickly — he might be the safest pick in the entire draft.
2) Bradley Chubb, DE
Chubb isn’t much worse than Myles Garrett, last year’s first overall pick. He had 23 sacks and ten tackles for loss in his senior year at NC State, and he has all the physical attributes you look for in a top-flight edge rusher. He’s an excellent athlete who can play on either the right or left side of the defensive line, and he should be a terror early on for opposing quarterbacks. Garrett collected seven sacks in just 11 games. It wouldn’t be stunning to see Chubb do something similar.
3) Quenton Nelson, G
Teams in need of a potential anchor on the offensive line need look no further than Nelson, who dominated opposing defensive linemen all season long for Notre Dame. The guard has all the tools to become an outstanding offensive lineman. Like some of his peers, he should adapt to the NFL game quickly. That could mean a very early Pro Bowl appearance. As long as he fulfills his potential, it probably won’t be just one.
4) Derwin James, S
James is already very good but has a lot of room to grow. That does leave some bust potential, but it also means that James has an extremely high ceiling. A versatile safety with excellent tackling and blitzing skills, James is a true physical freak and a strong leader. If he can maximize his potential in terms of coverage, he could very easily become one of the game’s elite defensive players, and the accolades will follow.
5) Da’Ron Payne, DT
How good of an athlete is Payne? All you have to do is watch last year’s Sugar Bowl. The defensive lineman was the defensive player of the game with a key interception, and then he caught a touchdown pass on offense. It’s highly unlikely that an NFL team would deploy him in that role, but it demonstrates just how skilled Payne is. He should be a dominant run-stopper, and if his pass rushing can improve, you’re looking at a star.
6) Tremaine Edmunds, LB
Edmunds isn’t a huge name, but you’d be wise to familiarize yourself with him, because he’s one of the best athletes in the entire draft. His 108 total tackles in 2017 for Virginia Tech would be evidence of that. He can play any linebacker spot and simply fills the stat sheet. He’s even good enough to cover for mental lapses with his physical skill. He has plenty of room to grow, but he could prove to be an exceptionally valuable player.
7) Roquan Smith, LB
Smith posted huge numbers in college (137 total tackles, 14 for loss in 2017) and, like Edmunds, is a fantastic, versatile athlete. A very smart player, what really sets him apart is his speed and ability to chase down players that many linebackers simply cannot. He was, after all, a former high school wide receiver. He should be an impact NFL player from day one.
8) Sam Darnold, QB
There is no slam-dunk franchise quarterback in this draft, but Darnold looks to be the safest choice. Even if he doesn’t reach his possible ceiling, he projects as a solid NFL starter. In some years, even that is enough to get a Pro Bowl invitation, even if you’re not a superstar.
Of course, Darnold could progress to the highest reaches of the sport. He has a good, strong, accurate arm and above-average quarterback mobility. He has everything you look for, and he could be really, really good with the proper coaching.
9) Baker Mayfield, QB
Here’s your boom-bust. Mayfield has been a success everywhere he’s gone, and he has the arm to make himself a success at the NFL level. There are questions — his size is an issue, and off-field perceptions of him have garnered unflattering comparisons — but Mayfield has a very real chance to be an elite quarterback in the league. It will take work, but watch out for him.
10) Nick Chubb, RB
If you’re looking for a potential sleeper, Chubb could certainly fit the bill. A catastrophic 2015 knee injury turned him from an emerging star into a solid college runner, but there’s plenty of use for that — he ran for 15 touchdowns last season. Might that knee injury end Chubb’s shot of being an elite NFL runner? Well, maybe. But as he continues to recover, we know the skill and mentality is in there for something special. Stranger things have happened.
