The New England Patriots have two players that lead their respective positions in the AFC voting for the 2017 Pro Bowl, and four other players that rank close to the top of the NFL.
QB Tom Brady trails only Cowboys rookie QB Dak Prescott in the quarterback voting, while Brady leads Raiders QB Derek Carr, Falcons QB Matt Ryan, and Saints QB Drew Brees to round out the top five.
TE Martellus Bennett ranks 3rd for tight ends, behind a pair of NFC tight ends in Panthers TE Greg Olsen and Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham. Bennett is the only AFC tight end in the top five as he edges out former teammate Cowboys TE Jason Witten and Washington TE Jordan Reed. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is a serious snub at this point.
The third Patriots offensive player that ranks in the top five might be a surprise. It’s not WR Julian Edelman, or RB LeGarrette Blount, or OT Nate Solder. It’s OC David Andrews, who ranks a ridiculous 3rd of all centers, behind only Cowboys OC Travis Frederick and Steelers OC Maurkice Pouncey
The Patriots don’t have any defensive players in the top five, which gives CB Malcolm Butler, FS Devin McCourty, and DT Alan Branch reason to have chips on their shoulder.
New England does boast three special teams players in the top five of their positions, which is, uh, interesting to say the least.
K Stephen Gostkowski ranks 4th, behind Cowboys K Dan Bailey, Ravens K Justin Tucker, and Colts K Adam Vinatieri, and it appears that Gostkowski might have received more votes than FS Devin McCourty because there’s not much of a difference between the 4th kicker and the 5th free safety. I don’t know who Allen paid off to get this many votes, or if he’s just getting votes because his last name comes first alphabetically.
P Ryan Allen ranks 2nd, behind Raiders P Marquette King. Allen’s 112,384 votes are definitely more than a lot of Patriots defenders because that represents more votes than the 4th or 5th ranked player at OLB, ILB, SS, and FS. Poor McCourty and LB Dont’a Hightower.
WR Matthew Slater ranks 4th for special teams players, behind Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander, and Cowboys S Jeff Heath.
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