With half of the season in the books, now is an appropriate time to start talking about Pro Bowl considerations. Here’s my ballot (as filled out on NFL.com) at the midway point, determined by observations from film study (with statistics serving as an infrequent “verification tool”).
*Indicates a starter; all other players are listed in no particular order.
A.F.C. Offense
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers*
The most physically gifted quarterback in the A.F.C. has improved his mental approach to the game.
Tom Brady, Patriots
Recent struggles aside, he is orchestrating one of the most efficient passing attacks in football.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills
Has five wins with a spread offense that lacks a big-time receiving corps.
Running Back
Fred Jackson, Bills*
Could go to Hawaii just for his running, receiving or blocking.
Darren McFadden, Raiders
The best north/south runner in the game right now.
Arian Foster, Texans
The best all-around runner in the A.F.C. right now. (And he’s assumed an elevated role in the passing game, too.)
Wide Receiver
Mike Wallace, Steelers*
The most lethal downfield weapon in the N.F.L. is the reason Pittsburgh has fully transformed into a passing team.
Wes Welker, Patriots*
No longer on a record-smashing pace, but 66 receptions and 960 yards are almost Pro Bowl numbers for a full season.
A.J. Green, Bengals
The only truly dynamic weapon in Cincy’s effective ball-control offense.
Anquan Boldin, Ravens
His third quarter against Arizona alone makes him worthy.
Fullback
Marcel Reese, Raiders
Has missed time because of injury but is the only genuine mismatch-creating fullback in the A.F.C.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, Patriots*
Fantastic blocker who can also beat cornerbacks one-on-one from the slot. He’s not easy to tackle, either.
Heath Miller, Steelers
The steadying force of Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense.
Offensive Tackle
Michael Roos, Titans*
Consistent as a clock. Don’t even think about blaming him for Chris Johnson’s struggles.
Andrew Whitworth, Bengals*
A natural run blocker who has built himself into one of the premier pass protectors in the game.
Joe Thomas, Browns
Same as Roos, only with “Cleveland’s” in place of “Chris Johnson’s”.
Guard
Kris Dielman, Chargers*
Great pass protector and an even better puller.
Marshal Yanda, Ravens*
The best all-around blocker on a remade but surviving offensive line.
Brian Waters, Patriots
Kansas City’s cutting him will never make sense.
Center
Nick Mangold, Jets*
Sealed his fourth Pro Bowl when the Jets played on national TV without him.
Chris Myers, Texans
Not good in a phone booth but outstanding on the move as part of a five-man unit. Good thing he plays in a zone-blocking scheme.
A.F.C. DEFENSE
Defensive End
Brett Keisel, Steelers*
Good versatile presence who does all the dirty work that makes Pittsburgh’s front seven special.
J.J. Watt, Texans*
His long arms and supple strength have been huge for Houston’s revamped front seven.
Marcell Dareus, Bills
He has gotten better since moving to nose tackle. But the ballot lists him as an end, and the two usual Pro Bowl players in Indy have vanished over the past month.
Defensive Tackle
Vince Wilfork, Patriots*
Tireless.
Richard Seymour, Raiders*
Penalties are a concern, but it’s hard to not get penalized when you can toss people around the way he does.
Haloti Ngata, Ravens
A little quieter than usual, but come on – you’ve seen the man play.
Inside Linebacker
Brian Cushing, Texans*
Has exploded as a downfield attacker in Wade Phillips’s scheme.
Ray Lewis, Ravens
If he was 100 percent at his peak, he was asked, what percent is he at now? He says 105. In actuality, it’s probably more like 85. Good enough.
Outside Linebacker
Tamba Hali, Chiefs*
Relentless low-leverage force whom offensive tackles must absolutely hate dealing with.
Terrell Suggs, Ravens
Baltimore’s best down-to-down defender this season.
LaMarr Woodley, Steelers
When he’s healthy, multi-sack games are practically guaranteed.
Cornerback
Darrelle Revis, Jets*
The best defensive player in football, no discussion.
Johnathan Joseph, Texans*
Has been everything and more that the Texans were looking for. A shadow-man defender who’s willing to hit.
Ike Taylor, Steelers
Champ Bailey has been terrific but has had slightly more safety help than this guy.
Strong Safety
Troy Polamalu, Steelers
Next.
Free Safety
Ed Reed, Ravens
Next.
Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders
Makes 50-yarders look like extra points.
Punter
Shane Lechler, Raiders
It’s always a numbers game. As in, he always has the best numbers. This year is no exception.
Return Specialist
Joe McKnight, Jets
Averaging over 40 yards per kick return? You kidding?
Special Teamer
Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens
Let’s be honest: special teams aren’t studied on film. So every outsider’s guess is as good as anyone’s. The thinking here is this guy’s been doing it a long time, and he’s been serviceable in Baltimore’s sub defensive packages this season.
N.F.C. Offense
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Packers*
The best first half of a season we’ve seen from any quarterback. Ever.
Drew Brees, Saints
It’s the closest we can get to voting in Jimmy Graham twice.
Eli Manning, Giants
Has the Giants in first place despite a rash of injuries and a disintegrated running game.
Running Back
Matt Forte, Bears*
Pay the man.
LeSean McCoy, Eagles
The most frightening open-space runner in the game.
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Tough to not include Darren Sproles here, but the fact of the matter is the Vikings don’t exist without this guy.
Wide Receiver
Calvin Johnson, Lions*
The most intimidating physical specimen any cornerback will line up against this season.
Greg Jennings, Packers*
Because Aaron Rodgers likes him.
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Frustrated by the lack of weapons around him but is still able to produce.
Steve Smith, Panthers
He should take Cam Newton as his guest.
Fullback
Tyler Clutts, Bears
Credit Mike Martz for being flexible and letting him play.
Tight End
Jimmy Graham, Saints*
Borderline unguardable.
Jason Witten, Cowboys
If it were strictly about talent, Jermichael Finley would get the nod (he’s having a solid season). But it’s about production and impact. Witten’s the clear choice.
Offensive Tackle
Jason Peters, Eagles*
Consistently proving that he’s the most athletic tackle in the game today.
Jordan Gross, Panthers*
Almost never requires help from tight end or running back chips.
Donald Penn, Bucs
He’s decent, but to be frank, for the second straight year, there just aren’t any standout tackles in the N.F.C.
Guard
Josh Sitton, Packers*
The best guard in football last year has helped keep the Packers’ front line afloat despite injuries at both tackle positions.
Carl Nicks, Saints*
Would like to see a little more consistency this season, but he’s still the most physically impactful inside blocker in the game.
Jahri Evans, Saints
Also not quite as consistent this season as you’d like, but the bar for him is set extremely high.
Center
Scott Wells, Packers*
This year it’s been easy to see why teammates have always loved him. He’s a fundamentally sound, stabilizing force.
Ryan Kalil, Panthers
Easily the most skilled center in the N.F.C.
N.F.C. DEFENSE
Defensive End
Jared Allen, Vikings
On pace to break Brett Favre and Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. Has also been a force against the run.
Chris Clemons, Seahawks*
Jumps out on film every week. Far more disruptive than his solid-but-unspectacular numbers suggest.
Cliff Avril, Lions
A matchup nightmare for right tackles and has been one of the driving forces behind Detroit’s emergence.
Defensive Tackle
Ndamukong Suh, Lions*
Think he’ll play dirty in an all-star game? Does he know any other way?
Justin Smith, 49ers*
Makes four to five splash plays every game and always fights opponents to, at minimum, a positive stalemate for the defense.
Darnell Dockett, Cardinals
The Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, would have zero trouble implementing his new scheme if he had one or two more Darnell Docketts to work with.
Inside Linebacker
Brian Urlacher, Bears*
Having a renaissance in his 12th season.
NaVorro Bowman, 49ers
Do we really have to choose between Bowman and Patrick Willis?
Outside Linebacker
DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys*
Rob Ryan has made pretty good use of him, wouldn’t you say? Like Jared Allen, he’s on pace to break Brett Favre and Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record.
Clay Matthews, Packers*
Never mind the dipped sack numbers. He’s been a headache for every offense he’s faced.
Ahmad Brooks, 49ers
Dominant edge-rushing talents – and he’s finally learned to play the run, too.
Cornerback
Charles Woodson, Packers*
His brilliance as a nickel back is the key to Dom Capers’s system. He’s been surprisingly elite in traditional coverage at times this season, too.
Corey Webster, Giants*
Shadowing the opposing team’s No. 1 outside receiver week in and week out.
Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
Downfield man coverage has been nearly as impressive as his punt returning.
Strong Safety
Charles Godfrey, Panthers
Solid. Not many N.F.C. strong safeties have had the consistency or impact to warrant that description.
Free Safety
Antrel Rolle, Giants
His versatility is a major plus for the defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
Kicker
Mason Crosby, Packers
Pretty simple – he hasn’t missed.
Punter
Michael Koenen, Bucs
Has brought value on punts (leads the conference with 16 inside the 20) and kickoffs.
Return Specialist
Devin Hester, Bears
Has the big plays again this year and affects field position more than any other player in the game.
Special Teamer
Jarrett Bush, Packers
Has been decent moonlighting with the regular defense.
Andy Benoit is an NFL analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit@NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.
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