With success, like say a division title, comes respect from around the league. The NFL announced the 2024 Pro Bowl rosters on Wednesday night, and five Detroit Lions were selected. It's the most Pro Bowl selections for the team since 2014 (Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh, Calvin Johnson, Glover Quin and Golden Tate).
Here are this year's Lions Pro Bowlers.
-C Frank Ragnow-third career Pro Bowl selection
-OT Penei Sewell-second Pro Bowl selection
-DE Aidan Hutchinson-first Pro Bowl selection
-TE Sam LaPorta-first Pro Bowl selection
-LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (special teams)-first Pro Bowl selection
Detroit Lions have 5 Pro Bowlers, and 7 alternates
Ragnow is Pro Bowl Focus' highest-graded center this season (88.5), despite dealing with an ongoing toe issue and various other ailments he's been dealing with this season (back, knee, calf). He's simply better physically compromised than many other centers are at 100 percent health.
Sewell is PFF's highest graded offensive tackle (92.0) this year. He has allowed just one sack, and he's top-10 in ESPN's pass-blocking win rate. As noted, two Pro Bowl selections in his first three seasons will drive the cost of Sewell's fifth year option, which the Lions have to pick up in the offseason, up.
LaPorta is currently sixth among NFL tight ends with 860 receiving yards. He ranks fifth all-time in rookie tight end receiving yards, and his nine touchdowns are just three off the rookie tight end record. He owns nearly all the Lions' single-season records for a tight end, and needs three catches in Week 18 to have them all.
Hutchinson "only" has 9.5 sacks this season (tied for 20th in the league), but his 93 total pressures (per PFF) ranks third in the NFL and is a big uptick from last year (53). He also has 47 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Reeves-Maybin’ has been one of the best special teamers in the league for several years, but this is his first Pro Bowl nod. Per Team Rankings, Reeves-Maybin is currently tied for the most special teams tackles in the league with 13. He has also carried out two successful fake punts, one as the ball carrier and the other as a passer.
The Lions also had seven players voted as Pro Bowl alternates.
-QB Jared Goff (second alternate)
-RB Jahmyr Gibbs (first)
-RB David Montgomery (fourth)
-WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (first)
-G Jonah Jackson (third)
-LB Alex Anzalone (fifth)
-PR Kalif Raymond (fourth)
As first alternates, St. Brown and Gibbs are practical locks to end up going to Orlando, Florida for the Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 4. As a second alternate. Goff would be well in line to go too. Unless the Lions are otherwise engaged, as in going to the Super Bowl. Then none of their Pro Bowlers will be going to Orlando.