Since the NFL hasn’t yet given up on the Pro Bowl and have continued with the theme of naming two Hall of Fame players as team captains who draft their teams from the pool of elected Pro Bowlers, we now have two distinct teams led by legendary wide receivers Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice.
Team Irvin Pro Bowl roster: Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman headline team
Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman headline Team Irvin’s roster for the 2016 Pro Bowl.
Rice and Irvin have already drafted their teams, though there are quite a few players who dropped out and were replaced with backups. This Pro Bowl is the most declined in history, with a total of 133 players selected for the game. All seven New England Patriots players who were selected backed out, and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy also begged off, citing an illness.
Still, there are going to be 86 very good players taking the field if you happen to care about the NFL’s All-Star game. Below, we’re going to take a look at Team Irvin’s roster.
Offense
Irvin went with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson as his first pick. Wilson has been incredible this season, though it's worth asking if Cam Newton would have been the top pick if he weren't set to play in the Super Bowl. Irvin went young with plenty of his biggest positions, landing rookies Jameis Winston and Todd Gurley as backups at quarterback and running back.
Devonta Freeman will be his starting running back, and one of his team captains. He landed Delanie Walker, a very underrated tight end, to be his starter there, and before the draft ended up with a stellar offensive line featuring Branden Albert, David DeCastro and Travis Federick. The matchup with Rice, who has Eli Manning, Adrian Peterson and Odell Beckham Jr. as his starters, is certainly a tough one.
QB: Russell Wilson (1st pick), Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Devonta Freeman (captain), Todd Gurley, Latavius Murray
WR: Julio Jones, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson
TE: Delanie Walker, Tyler Eifert
FB: Patrick DiMarco
OT: Branden Albert, Tyron Smith, Andrew Whitworth
G: David DeCastro, Zack Martin, Marshal Yanda
C: Travis Frederick, Alex Mack
Defense
On defense, Irvin made Geno Atkins one of his captains. The defensive line also consists of Michael Bennett, Ezekial Ansah, Carlos Dunlap, Calais Campbell and Jurrell Casey. At linebacker. Sean Lee and NaVorro Bowman are two comeback players and will strengthen the defense a whole lot. The biggest strength comes in the secondary, where Irvin landed guys like Richard Sherman, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
DL: Ezekiel Ansah, Michael Bennett, Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins (captain), Calais Campbell, Jurrell Casey
LB: Anthony Barr, Lavonte David, Sean Lee, NaVorro Bowman, Derrick Johnson
DB: Richard Sherman, Desmond Trufant, Reshad Jones, Adam Jones, Malcolm Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Harrison Smith
Special Teams
The special teams are fairly standard, of course. Dan Bailey, Sam Koch, Darren Sproles and Justin Bethel are among the league's best at their positions. Winston Moss will be coaching with Mike McCarthy citing an illness. Andy Reid will be coaching Team Rice.
K: Dan Bailey
P: Sam Koch
KR: Darren Sproles
PR: Justin Bethel
Coach: Winston Moss (Packers associate head coach)
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