The NFL got it right with only 3 Cleveland Browns being named to the Pro Bowl

The Cleveland Browns only had three players named to the Pro Bowl.

The Cleveland Browns’ up-and-down season continues with the revelation this past week that the Browns only got three players named to the Pro Bowl. Those three names should surprise no one, as defensive end Myles Garrett, running back Nick Chubb, and left guard Joel Bitonio all made the team this year.

The actual Pro Bowl game is gone, and this year the league is doing skills competitions and flag football games. Not exactly an improvement but what can you do? Frankly, they should just hold the Pro Bowl as part of the kickoff celebration at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But that would make sense.

The Browns threesome may have company, as offensive tackle Jack Conklin, cornerback Denzel Ward, right guard Wyatt Teller and tight end David Njoku have all been named as alternates should anyone opt not to go to the Pro Bowl festivities this season.

The Cleveland Browns were right to only have three make the team

By any metrics, Bitonio, Garrett, and Chubb are the only three Brons to deserve the selection. PFF lists all three men as the top three players on the team with Garrett earning a 92.9, Chubb having an 88.6, and Bitonio an 85.9.

While I don’t believe PFF is the end all be all of player and talent evaluations, it does help to paint a picture of who has been the most consistent player throughout the year. This is also why I reject the notion that anyone on the team not named Garrett, Chubb, or Bitonio deserves a slot, alternate or not.

Njoku, Teller, and Conklin have been up and down all year. Njoku is historically an inconsistent player, while Teller is a great run blocker but an average pass blocker, and he’s among the most penalized on the team. Conklin has looked much better the last few weeks but this is about his entire body of work across the season, and frankly, he hasn’t earned a Pro Bowl nod in my opinion.

As far as Ward being selected as an alternate; that’s a joke. He’s only getting that selection due to his name, not his play. He’s among the worst-rated corners in the league this year (97 out of 120). If he makes the Pro Bowl, he should sit out on principle. He’s been bad and if he doesn’t know that, then this secondary needs more help than we thought.