The NFL announced its 2021 Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday night, and among those listed are three members of the New England Patriots: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, special teamer Matthew Slater, and punter Jake Bailey. Gilmore and Slater also were part of the three Patriots representing the team on the all-star roster last season, alongside linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Bailey, on the other hand, is a first-time nominee.
P Jake Bailey
A fifth-round draft selection by the Patritos in 2019, Bailey has developed into one of the most consistent members of the team since his rookie season. While he had some ups and downs in Year One, he has been a weapon for the team so far during this regular season: Bailey’s leg strength, hang time and ball placement are all excellent, and have helped New England flip field position even as the offense has struggled this year. The 23-year-old ranks fourth in the NFL in gross punting average (48.7 yards) and first in net punting (46.1 yards).
CB Stephon Gilmore
Even though his season ended in disappointment last Sunday, when he suffered a partially torn quad that will knock him out for the remainder of the year, the Patriots’ number one cornerback has had another spectacular season so far. In 11 games this season, Gilmore has routinely taken on opponents’ top wide receivers but still given up only 20 receptions on 37 targets for 276 yards as well as a touchdown and an interception. His defensive passer rating of 76.0 is among the better in the league. 2020 is the third year in a row that Gilmore made the Pro Bowl, and his fourth selection overall.
WR/ST Matthew Slater
No current Patriot has more Pro Bowl nominations on his résumé than Matthew Slater, who has made the cut nine times now — including two straight. This is not a surprise considering that he is still on the very top of his game, even at age 35: Slater is routinely the first player down the field on punt and kickoff returns, and has helped make some key tackles as well as blocks. All in all, the team captain has helped stop five return attempts this year. That number may not stand out compared to other members in the league or even on his own team, but Slater’s ability to impact the return game is still unparalleled.
The full 2020 Pro Bowl rosters look as follows:
AFC Offense
QB Josh Allen* (Bills), QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), QB Deshaun Watson (Texans); WR Keenan Allen (Chargers), WR A.J. Brown* (Titans), WR Stefon Diggs* (Bills), WR Tyreek Hill (Chiefs); RB Nick Chubb (Browns), RB Derrick Henry (Titans), RB Josh Jacobs* (Raiders); FB Patrick Ricard (Ravens); TE Travis Kelce (Chiefs), TE Darren Waller* (Raiders); OT Orlando Brown (Ravens), OT Eric Fisher (Chiefs), OT Laremy Tunsil (Texans); G Joel Bitonio (Browns), G David DeCastro (Steelers), G Quenton Nelson (Colts); C Ryan Kelly (Colts), C Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers)
*first time selection
AFC Defense
DE Joey Bosa (Los Angeles Chargers), DE Frank Clark (Chiefs), DE Myles Garrett (Browns); DT Calais Campbell (Ravens), DT Cameron Heyward (Steelers), DT Chris Jones (Chiefs); OLB Bradley Chubb* (Broncos), OLB Matthew Judon (Ravens), OLB T.J. Watt (Steelers); ILB Tremaine Edmunds (Bills), ILB Darius Leonard (Colts); CB Xavien Howard (Dolphins), CB Stephon Gilmore (Patriots), CB Marlon Humphrey (Ravens), CB Tre’Davious White (Bills); FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), FS Justin Simmons* (Broncos); SS Tyrann Mathieu (Chiefs)
*first time selection
AFC Specialists
P Jake Bailey* (Patriots); K Justin Tucker (Ravens); LS Morgan Cox (Ravens); RS Andre Roberts (Bills); ST Matthew Slater (Patriots)
*first time selection
NFC Offense
QB Kyler Murray* (Cardinals), QB Aaron Rodgers (Packers), QB Russel Wilson (Seahawks); WR Davante Adams (Packers), WR DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), WR Justin Jefferson* (Vikings), WR DK Metcalf (Seahawks); RB Dalvin Cook (Vikings), RB Aaron Jones* (Packers), RB Alvin Kamara* (Saints); FB Kyle Juszczyk (49ers); TE Evan Engram* (Giants), TE T.J. Hockenson* (Lions); OT Terron Armstead (Saints), OT David Bakhtiari (Packers), OT Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers); G Elgton Jenkins* (Packers), G Andrus Peat (Saints), G Brandon Scherff (Football Team); C Jason Kelce (Eagles), C Frank Ragnow* (Detroit Lions)
*first time selection
NFC Defense
DE Brandon Graham* (Eagles), DE Cameron Jordan (Saints), DE Chase Young* (Football Team); DT Fletcher Cox (Eagles), DT Aaron Donald (Rams), DT Grady Jarrett (Falcons); OLB Khalil Mack (Bears), OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (Buccaneers), OLB Za’Darius Smith (Packers); ILB Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), ILB Fred Warner* (49ers); CB Jaire Alexander* (Packers), CB James Bradberry* (Giants), CB Marshon Lattimore (Saints), CB Jalen Ramsey (Rams); FS Quandre Diggs* (Seahawks); SS Jamal Adams (Seahawks), SS Budda Baker (Cardinals)
*first time selection
NFC Specialists
P Jack Fox* (Lions); K Younghoe Koo* (Falcons); LS Tyler Ott* (Seahawks); RS Cordarrelle Patterson (Bears); ST Nick Bellore* (Seahawks)
*first time selection