Assessing the Deserving Candidates for the 2015 Pro Bowl

Only two weeks remain in one of the most exciting NFL seasons in recent memory, as more than half the teams in the league have a very realistic chance at securing a postseason berth. All four top seeds in the two conferences are still up for grabs, and as many as nine of the 32 teams could clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, per Sports Club Stats. 

The awards races will also come down to the wire, as the MVP and Rookie of the Year races are far from decided. The final couple of weeks could see a surprising player shoot to the top of the list with a memorable performance. 

But one thing has already been determined. Although it hasn't been released yet, the league's Pro Bowl voting has already been determined. Below is my list of Pro Bowl players across the league for both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It's not a list of who I think will make it, and it's not based on a popularity contest. This list is comprised solely of who i think should be named to the league's annual All-Star team. The players are listed in order, too. 

Quarterbacks (6): Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees

Although Aaron Rodgers is the likely MVP favorite, expect Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to challenge for the league's most prestigious individual award. Those three are the most dominant signal-callers in the game and have captured eight Most Valuable Player awards in the last 11 seasons. This year will undoubtedly make nine out of 12. Two names that just missed the cut are Tony Romo and Philip Rivers. 

Running Backs (6): DeMarco Murray, Le'Veon Bell, Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett, Arian Foster

Any chance DeMarco Murray had at rushing for 2,000 yards is likely gone, as the fourth-year running back broke a bone in his hand and is questionable for Sunday's game. He's the runaway rushing leader, though, and only Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell is in his class as an all-around back this season. Charles and Lynch turned in their usual dominant seasons, while Foster revived his career at age 28. The big surprise is veteran Justin Forsett, who only got his chance at a starting job after the release of Ray Rice. 

Wide Receivers (8): Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Jordy Nelson, T.Y. Hilton, Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb

I still think Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL, but injuries kept him from posting his usual dominant stat lines. The best receiver in 2014 is easily Antonio Brown, whose consistency is unmatched by perhaps any receiver in the last decade. Most of the other names are to be expected, although the big surprise on this list is Jeremy Maclin. Coming off a torn ACL, Maclin has successfully replaced DeSean Jackson as the go-to weapon in Chip Kelly's offense. Detroit's Golden Tate, another pleasant surprise in 2014, just missed the cut. 

Tight End (4): Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Martellus Bennett, Greg Olsen

Gronk has re-established himself as the most dominant tight end in the National Football League. The favorite for Comeback Player of the Year, Rob Gronkowski has averaged more than 75 yards and close to a touchdown per game. Despite 12 touchdowns, Julius Thomas missed the cut, as the Broncos' playmaker hasn't produced the all-around numbers of the other tight ends on this list. 

Tackle (6): Joe Thomas, Jason Peters, Andrew Whitworth, Branden Albert, Jared Veldheer, Tyron Smith

It's Joe Thomas and Jason Peters and then everybody else at the left tackle position. Both are solidifying their case for an eventual spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Whitworth, arguably the most underrated lineman in the game, hasn't allowed a sack, per Pro Football Focus. 

Guard (6): Marshal Yanda, Josh Sitton, Kelechi Osemele, Zack Martin, T.J. Lang, Kevin Zeitler

The Baltimore Ravens survived the loss of former Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice because of the emergence of veteran Justin Forsett, but it was the team's pair of dominant guards who helped pave the way for the ground attack. Marshal Yanda surpassed Philadelphia's Evan Mathis, who struggled with injuries, as the best guard in the game. Rookie Zack Martin should be a fixture on Pro Bowl ballots for years. 

Center (4): Nick Mangold, Corey Linsley, Travis Frederick, Max Unger

There's no clear-cut best center in the NFL, but Pro Football Focus grades Nick Mangold higher than anybody else, and it's really not close. Cleveland's Alex Mack missed out on a spot after a season-ending injury, while rookie Corey Linsley has been easily the biggest surprise out of any Pro Bowl offensive lineman. 

Defensive Ends (6): J.J. Watt, Cameron Wake, Calais Campbell, Mario Williams, DeMarcus Ware, Jurrell Casey

It's J.J. Watt and then everybody else. There really aren't enough adjectives to describe how dominant the fourth-year defensive end has been, not just this season but throughout his entire career. Per Pro Football Focus, Watt has collected 17 sacks, 38 quarterback hits, 44 hurries and 10 batted passes. The rest of the group is to be expected, with veteran DeMarcus Ware continuing his pass-rushing prowess in Denver. 

Defensive Tackles (6): Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Fletcher Cox, Gerald McCoy, Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson

I grouped a few 3-4 defensive ends on this list, but hey, it's my Pro Bowl ballot. St. Louis rookie Aaron Donald should be the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, while Ndamukong Suh could be the most coveted free agent in the NFL this offseason. Even with multiple injuries, Gerald McCoy makes this list. Philly's Fletcher Cox has evolved into a one-man wrecking crew on the league's most underrated pass rush, while Wilkerson and Richardson provide two of the few bright spots on a bottom-five NFL team. 

Inside Linebackers (4): Dont'a Hightower, Luke Kuechly, Chris Borland, Bobby Wagner

The big surprise on this list of San Francisco rookie Chris Borland, who took over as a full-time starter in Week 7 and already ranks as the third-best inside linebacker in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Borland's been a tackling machine, averaging a tackle every 5.9 snaps. That's the best mark in the league, and it's really not close. Seattle's Bobby Wagner has solidified the middle of the Seahawks defense as much as Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas have done for the back end. 

Outside Linebackers (6): Von Miller, Justin Houston, Elvis Dumervil, Lavonte David, Terrell Suggs, Khalil Mack

Von Miller's probably the second-best defensive player in the NFL, as he's successfully returned to the elite form he showed in 2012. Houston and Dumervil are tied for the league lead with 17 sacks, and each has a slim chance at breaking the single-season sack record. Rookie Khalil Mack is a rare hit for the Oakland Raiders, as Mack's dominance against the run has him in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

Cornerbacks (8): Richard Sherman, Chris Harris, Vontae Davis, Darrelle Revis, Brent Grimes, Joe Haden, Corey Graham, Xavier Rhodes

The self-proclaimed best cornerback in the game, Richard Sherman is playing out of his mind right now. He's allowed just a 48.7 passer rating this season, only slightly higher than his 44.6 completion percentage, per Pro Football Focus. Denver's Chris Harris has gone from a dominant nickel corner to a dominant starter, grading as Pro Football Focus's top corner, while allowing no touchdown passes on 84 pass attempts. Vontae Davis and Brent Grimes, both criminally underrated, have allowed a 35.5 passer rating and intercepted five passes, respectively. Future Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis isn't quite as dominant in coverage, but he grades as the league's second-best corner, per Pro Football Focus. 

Safeties (4): Eric Weddle, Tashaun Gipson, Glover Quin, George Iloka

Eric Weddle has been one of the league's best safeties for years now, but the other three names are all new to casual football fans. Gipson collected six interceptions before a season-ending injury. Quin also has six interceptions, while Iloka has allowed no touchdowns and a league-best 23.0 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus.