In honor of this week's MLB All-Star Game, the Giants.com crew discusses locks for the Pro Bowl this season and who could make a push for a nod with a big campaign.
John Schmeelk: There are never any locks given the ebbs and flows of the National Football League, but as long their health cooperates, there are some Giants I would be confident as Pro Bowl selections. The conversation starts with Andrew Thomas, who was one of the best left tackles in the league last season. There's no reason to think that won't continue. There are other excellent tackles in the NFC, such as Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Mailata and Tristan Wirfs, but Thomas should be right with that group.
Dexter Lawrence is the second player in that group I would be confident in. He is a dominant defensive tackle just entering his prime. He will have competition with other excellent defensive tackles like Aaron Donald, Leonard Williams, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Vita Vea, Derrick Brown and Javon Hargrave.
Darren Waller, if healthy, should also be one of the top tight ends in the NFC and should garner heavy Pro Bowl consideration.
Other players I would have on my radar as possibilities: Daniel Jones, Adoree' Jackson, Xavier McKinney, Bobby Okereke, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari.
Dan Salomone: Since I can't really argue with any of my colleagues' musings or add much more, I'm going to use this as an opportunity for a Graham Gano appreciation post. In just three seasons with the Giants, Gano has already made 20 field goals from at least 50 yards. In the almost 100 seasons of the franchise, the next closest is Joe Danelo with nine.
Of course, the Pro Bowl is not a Giants award. It's a league-wide nod. Since he joined the team in 2020, he ranks fourth in field goal percentage (91.8) and third in 50-yard field goals with 20, just three behind Brandon McManus' 23. Gano has also been virtually automatic in the range of 40-49 yards, missing just one of 25 attempts from that distance due to a block. Send that man to the Pro Bowl.
Get excited for the 2023 season with photos from Media Day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
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OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
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WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), WR Darius Slayton (86)
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DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
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WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
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WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
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RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
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OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
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OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
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DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
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DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
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OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
LB Troy Brown (46)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
TE Darren Waller (12)
DB Leonard Johnson (35)
DB Leonard Johnson (35)
DB Leonard Johnson (35)
TE Darren Waller (12)
DE Ryder Anderson (90)
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DE Ryder Anderson (90)
DE Ryder Anderson (90)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
TE Darren Waller (12)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
LB Troy Brown (46)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
DB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DB Darnay Holmes (30)
DB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
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DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr (93)
OL J.C. Hassenaauer (63)
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr (93)
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WR Parris Campbell (0)
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr (93)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
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LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
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WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
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S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
OL Evan Neal (73)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
OL Evan Neal (73)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
WR Makai Polk (87)
OL Evan Neal (73)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Matt Breida (31)
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LB Carter Coughlin (52)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
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TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
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LB Cam Brown (47)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
LB Cam Brown (47)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
DT DJ Davidson (98)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
DT DJ Davidson (98)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
DL Vernon Butler (96)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
DB Aaron Robinson (33)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
DB Aaron Robinson (33)
OL Matt Peart (74)
DB Aaron Robinson (33)
OL Tyre Phillips (79)
OL Tyre Phillips (79)
OL Matt Peart (74)
OL Tyre Phillips (79)
S Dane Belton (24)
OL Matt Peart (74)
OL Corey Cunningham (70)
S Dane Belton (24)
OL Corey Cunningham (70)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
OL Shane Lemieux (66)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), WR Darius Slayton (86)
OL Shane Lemieux (66)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
OL Jack Anderson (77)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
OL Jack Anderson (77)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
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OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
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QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
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QB Daniel Jones (8)
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DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
NT Jordan Riley (95)
RB Eric Gray (20-O)
RB Eric Gray (20-O)
LB Troy Brown (46)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
DB Leonard Johnson (35)
DB Leonard Johnson (35)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
DB Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Makai Polk (87)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
K Graham Gano (9)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
DE Ryder Anderson (90)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL Evan Neal (73)
DB Darnay Holmes (30)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
S Dane Belton (24)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Matt Breida (31)
DE Ryder Anderson (90)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
RB Matt Breida (31)
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr (93)
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr (93)
RB Matt Breida (31)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
LB Jarrad Davis (57)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
RB Matt Breida (31)
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WR Jeff Smith II (19)
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TE Ryan Jones (49)
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DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
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DB Aaron Robinson (33)
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LB Micah McFadden (41)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
LB Cam Brown (47)
LB Darrian Beavers (43)
LB Cam Brown (47)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
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WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
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DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
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WR Darius Slayton (86)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
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WR Darius Slayton (86)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
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OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
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QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
Lance Medow: Last season, the Giants had two Pro Bowl selections in running back Saquon Barkley and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who was coming off a career year. Thanks to the latter's performance, he was rewarded with a lucrative contract and now the team is looking for a strong return on its investment. Lawrence has improved each season, and based on the competition at his position, he should once again be in the mix to earn an All-Star nod, especially if his sack production is right around the 7.5 he posted in 2022. The same can be said for left tackle Andrew Thomas, who didn't make the Pro Bowl last season but was named Second-Team All-Pro. That clearly means he's receiving attention around the league, and I would argue that is a more prestigious honor.
Two players come to mind as strong candidates to reach that status this season with a strong campaign. Tight end Darren Waller has already posted two 1,000-yard seasons in his career. When you look at the NFC tight end landscape on paper, the former sixth-round pick is a top five player at his position. If he stays healthy, he could very well lead the team in receiving yards, which would put him in a great position for a Pro Bowl invite. Safety Xavier McKinney could also easily be in the conversation if he can stay on the field. The former Alabama standout made a push for that label in 2021 after appearing in all 17 games but was limited to just nine contests last season. With Julian Love leaving in free agency, McKinney is the veteran safety whom Wink Martindale will lean on and move around based on his versatility.
Matt Citak: Let's start with the Pro Bowl locks. This part is easy, as one player on each side of the ball immediately jumps out. On defense, it's Dexter Lawrence. The defensive lineman is coming off a breakout campaign that saw him register new career highs with 7.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits. His performance earned him a selection as Second-Team All-Pro in addition to his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Lawrence was rewarded with a long-term contract, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he was back in the Pro Bowl this season. On the other side of the ball, perhaps the biggest Pro Bowl snub last year was Andrew Thomas. The left tackle also enjoyed a dominant season, one that saw him surrender just 20 total pressures on 578 pass blocking snaps. Similar to Lawrence, Thomas was named Second-Team All-Pro and is now being recognized by many in the media as one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL.
Now let's move on to players who could make a push for the Pro Bowl with a big season. On defense, there are a few players who could thrive in Year 2 in Wink Martindale's defense, but none more so than Kayvon Thibodeaux and Xavier McKinney. Thibodeaux is coming off a solid rookie campaign that saw him record four sacks. However, the outside linebacker dealt with a knee injury to start the season, which led to a slow start. In the final five weeks of the regular season, Thibodeaux picked up steam and registered three sacks. With a full offseason to get more comfortable in the defense, Thibodeaux could truly break out this season. The same goes for McKinney, who was enjoying a strong season before a hand injury forced him to miss most of the second half of the season. Martindale has a history of getting strong play out of his safeties, and McKinney should be the next in line to succeed at that position.
On offense, two players stand out in particular, and the success of each one could depend on the other's performance. I'm talking about quarterback Daniel Jones and tight end Darren Waller. Jones is coming off his best NFL season, one that saw him make significant improvement in the first year under Brian Daboll. If he can take another step in his development in Year 2, the sky is the limit for the fifth-year quarterback. Waller should serve as his top target in 2023, and his impact has already been felt throughout spring practices. Waller was not only one of the top tight ends in the league from 2019-20, but also one of the top overall pass-catchers. If the 6-foot-6 tight end can stay healthy, he could return to those big numbers posted just a few seasons ago. Both of these players will lean heavily on the other, and if both remain on the field for most or all of the season, each one could enjoy a stellar 2023 campaign.
