6 Detroit Lions players who could be first-time Pro Bowlers in 2024

Last year, in line with their winning the NFC North, the Detroit Lions had seven Pro Bowlers. Five were elected in original voting (Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, Sam LaPorta, Aidan Hutchinson, Jalen Reeves-Maybin), and two (Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown) were added as alternates.

Of those seven Lions' Pro Bowlers, four (Hutchinson, Gibbs, LaPorta and Reeves-Maybin) were first-timers. Of course two of them (LaPorta and Gibbs) were also rookies.

The 49ers led the league last year with nine players selected to the Pro Bowl Games. If the Lions reach the Super Bowl this year, anyone they have who was elected to the NFC team will not be participating. It's also fair to virtually lock Sewell, Hutchinson and St. Brown in to repeat as Pro Bowl selections, with Ragnow also a strong candidate.

But shifting back toward potential first-timers, with acknowledgement they won't all make it, here are six Lions who could earn their first career Pro Bowl selection this year.

6 Detroit Lions who could be first-time Pro Bowlers in 2024

6. CB Terrion Arnold

If a Lions' rookie is going to follow in the footsteps of LaPorta and Gibbs to a Pro Bowl nod this year, Arnold is the easy favorite. He's in line to be the starter at the outside corner spot opposite Carlton Davis, and in line with that expectation he's getting some Defensive Rookie of the Year buzz.

As a rookie corner, Arnold will naturally be tested early and often this season. All the early signs are pointing toward him being up to the task, from clips of the work he's doing between OTAs and training camp to quotes that reflect his confidence and overall mentality.

It won't be easy for a rookie cornerback to earn a Pro Bowl selection. But Arnold can get it done.

5. OT Taylor Decker

The longest-tenured Lion, entering his ninth season, Decker has been a solid left tackle for his entire career. He made this list last year, then went out and finished as Pro Football Focus' ninth-highest graded offensive tackle with a slightly better pass blocking grade than Sewell had (79.4 to 79.2).

Cracking the offensive tackle mix on the NFC Pro Bowl team will not be easy, as always. But there is a definite path for Decker to at least be an alternate initially, and if the Lions don't make the Super Bowl to him being a participant in the Pro Bowl Games.