NFL Pro Bowl Roster 2012: Maurice Jones-Drew and Backups Who Should Be Starting

The ever-popular Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday. Several seemingly deserving players were left off the initial roster completely. Of those that did punch their ticket to Hawaii, some should be starting who are not.

Of course, injuries and "rest" will shake up the rosters and starting line-ups come time for the game, but certain players shouldn't need this to happen to be considered as starters. 

The following pros may have been shafted, as they have proved they have earned the right to start in the Pro Bowl.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Ray Rice was named the starter for the AFC, but it's Jones-Drew who has been more of a dynamic force at running back this season. 

When you think about the Jacksonville Jaguars this season, a few things come to mind. The firing of Jack Del Rio, how awful Blaine Gabbert has been and how Jones-Drew is practically their entire offense. 

Jones-Drew leads the NFL in rushing, and the only major rushing category that Rice betters him in is touchdowns. Rice had 10 to Jones-Drew's eight, but Jones-Drew was far more valuable to the Jags than Rice to the Baltimore Ravens.

There's a chance Jones-Drew gets the nod because the Ravens might be in the Super Bowl. But, since he has 264 more rushing yards, as well as higher a higher yards-per-carry average and more runs of over 20 yards, Jones-Drew deserved to be the starter over Rice in the first place. 

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald are the starting receivers for the NFC, but Smith should be in that role over Fitzgerald. 

No receiver has been more dominant this season than Johnson, and he was a lock to start the Pro Bowl. However, Smith has had a better season that Fitzgerald, and he should've been honored with the starting role. 

Smith had more total receiving yards, yards after catch, total receptions and receptions of over 20 yards than Fitzgerald.

The only category Fitzgerald beat Smith in was touchdowns, having reached the end zone eight times to Smith's six. 

Cam Newton helped Smith return to prominence this season, and he should've been awarded the starting spot in the Pro Bowl for such a terrific season. 

Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Ray Lewis was named the starting inside linebacker for the AFC, but the right move would have been putting Johnson over Baltimore's Lewis.

The big-name factor helps Lewis earn the gig, and he isn't the only one who fell into that category. While both Lewis and Johnson have been very valuable to their respective teams, it's Johnson who has had the better season. 

Granted, Lewis has been hurt and missed games for the Ravens, but Johnson was still playing better than him before Lewis went down with turf toe. 

Johnson shined all season long, and he should be the starter over a guy who got hurt. Not to discredit Lewis since, he would've put up good numbers had he stayed healthy, but it seems as if he got, perhaps, a pity vote to start because of his injury. 

Johnson recorded 126 tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions on the year. This is his first Pro Bowl selection, and he was robbed of the starting spot by a bigger star that would help ratings.

Such a shame.