Ranking the 50 Players Most Likely To Make the 2012 Pro Bowl

With the 2012 Pro Bowl less than two months away, and voting for the roster already underway, now would be a good time to see which players have the best opportunity to make this year's Pro Bowl.

Players like Tom Brady and Drew Brees are almost certain to make the roster, while upstart superstars like Von Miller and Beanie Wells are still up in the air about their status.

Today we'll look at, and rank, the 50 players most likely to make the 2012 Pro Bowl.

50. Tim Tebow, QB

I will never doubt Tim Tebow again. He will officially be on every list I ever make for the rest of my life.

Need a list of the 10 best receivers in the NFL? Tim Tebow is on it.

Is it highly unlikely that Tebow will get voted to the Pro Bowl? Yes, but would I be surprised if he somehow pulled a last-minute comeback to land on the roster?

Absolutely not.

49. Beanie Wells, RB

Had Beanie Wells not dealt with injuries, he would have been a lock to make his first Pro Bowl.

However, he has had problems with injuries this year, but even with those injuries, he is still putting up staggering numbers. He has 943 yards with nine touchdowns this season, and eclipsed the 200-yard mark in a Week 12 matchup against the St. Louis Rams.

Wells' future looks bright and he should fight for a Pro Bowl spot for years to come.

48. Connor Barwin, LB

Connor Barwin has literally come out of nowhere to become one of the better pass-rushing linebackers in the NFL.

When Mario Williams went down with a season-ending injury earlier in the year, Barwin stepped in and picked up right where Williams left off. He currently has 10 sacks on the season.

The only thing going against Barwin is that the AFC has a bunch of talented outside linebackers.

47. Chris Long, DE

There aren't many defensive lineman that are as overlooked as Chris Long is for the St. Louis Rams.

Long has a constant motor and has been an effective pass rusher for the past few seasons. His style of play is extremely enjoyable to watch. 

What makes him even more impressive is the fact that he doesn't have any other teammates providing pressure opposite him, yet he still puts up quality numbers.

However, he may miss out on the Pro Bowl because of the poor overall play of his team.

46. Johnathan Joseph, CB

When the Houston Texans picked up Johnathan Joseph as a free agent, he was expected to make an impact on their defensive unit. No one really expected him to make this big of an impact, though.

Joseph has been an absolute stud, and has turned around one of the worst defenses against the pass in the league. In fact, it is Houston's defense that has really caused them to take control of the AFC South division.

Should Joseph continue his high level of play for the remainder of the season, a Pro Bowl bid is extremely likely.

45. Joe McKnight, KR/PR

Both the NFC and AFC Pro Bowl teams need a kick/punt returner. For the AFC, that man will probably be Joe McKnight.

McKnight currently leads the NFL in average kick return with over 32 yards per return. While he has only found the end zone once this year, he is still averaging over four yards more per return than anyone else in the league.

44. Cam Newton, QB

The third quarterback spot for the Pro Bowl probably belongs to Eli Manning, but Cam Newton has been too exciting to overlook this year.

Sure, he has thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns, but he also has 13 rushing touchdowns, the second most in the entire league.

One thing that Newton has going for him is the likelihood that either Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees will be forced to miss the Pro Bowl, which might allow for Newton to sneak onto the roster.

43. Morgan Burnett, S

There wasn't a safety in the league that started out as hot as Morgan Burnett did for the Green Bay Packers.

However, after an injury to fellow starter Nick Collins, Burnett has cooled off a little with the added pressure. He is still one of the better playmakers in the NFC, and will be an exciting player to watch develop for years to come.

42. Jordy Nelson, WR

There are only two players in the league with more receiving touchdowns than Jordy Nelson so far this year. Those players are Calvin Johnson and Rob Gronkowski.

Nelson has 10 touchdowns to set the pace for a talented group of receivers for the Green Bay Packers. With news of Greg Jennings' knee injury, Nelson will be forced to play a bigger role in the offense, which should lead to him getting more touches.

No receiver has improved as much as Nelson has this year, and a Pro Bowl berth seems in line.

41. Tamba Hali, LB

After posting 15 sacks last season, Tamba Hali looks poised to once again post double-digit sacks in 2011.

With his defense facing so many injuries, the fact that Hali has been able to continue to produce at a high level is rather impressive. He will also have stiff competition at the linebacker position, but his chances look pretty good right now.

40. Julius Peppers, DE

In the past, it's almost been a guarantee to see Julius Peppers on the Pro Bowl roster.

While he hasn't been nearly as dominant this year, he is still having a quality season. It's likely that he will end up on the Pro Bowl roster because of his past achievements.

It may not be fair to a guy like Jason Babin, but that's the way the Pro Bowl goes sometimes.

39. Carlos Rogers, CB

There might not have been a more impacting free-agency signing that the San Francisco 49ers signing Carlos Rogers in the offseason.

He has been an absolute force for one of the best defenses in the league. He's consistently gone up against the opposing team's top receiver and come out on top.

With the cornerback situation in the NFC looking thin this year, it is likely that Rogers will find himself on the Pro Bowl roster.

38. Tony Gonzalez, TE

Tony Gonzalez has been a constant on Pro Bowl rosters for nearly every one of his 15 seasons in the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Gonzalez on the 2020 Pro Bowl roster.

His continued high level of play will likely land him on the 2012 roster, but it likely won't be as the starter.

37. Vincent Jackson, WR

In an important season for Vincent Jackson, he is quietly having a solid season for a struggling San Diego Chargers team.

He's been Philip Rivers' most reliable target, taking away that honor from Antonio Gates this year. With a big contract awaiting Jackson in the offseason, a spot on the 2012 Pro Bowl roster will only raise his value.

36. Ryan Clady, OT

With Jake Long having a difficult season for the Miami Dolphins, Ryan Clady has been the second best offensive tackle in the AFC.

That, plus the fact that the Denver Broncos look poised to make the playoffs, should be enough to get Clady the start at right tackle for the AFC roster.

35. Mason Crosby, K

After a few disappointing seasons for the Green Bay Packers, Mason Crosby is finally living up to expectations for the Packers.

He's hitting over 90 percent of his field goal attempts, and has been perfect on attempts over 50 yards.

34. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

I'm not sure if there is a more intimidating defensive lineman in the league right now than Jason Pierre-Paul. Sure, Jared Allen deserves to be in that discussion, but Pierre-Paul has been extremely impressive this season.

He has 61 tackles to go along with his 13 sacks on the season. His impact on a game is felt way more often than the statistics show.

With the New York Giants facing a huge amount of injuries to their defense, Pierre-Paul has basically kept them afloat single-handedly.

33. Larry Fitzgerald, WR

What is so impressive about Larry Fitzgerald is that he continuously puts up great numbers year after year no matter who is throwing him the ball.

With the Arizona Cardinals playing three different quarterbacks this year, Fitzgerald has still been able to put up over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

If Fitzgerald had a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady throwing him the ball, there is no doubt that he would be the best statistical receiver in the NFL.

32. Arian Foster, RB

Arian Foster's Pro Bowl status is a tough one to get a feel for.

While there are few who would argue that Foster has been one of the best running backs in the AFC when on the field, the problem is that he missed a handful of early games because of injury.

Now that he is healthy, he is making quite the impact as a runner and a receiver. If he continues to put up ridiculous numbers for the remainder of the season, he is definitely worthy of a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.

31. Chris Snee, OG

As one of the best offensive guards in the NFL, Chris Snee is basically guaranteed a Pro Bowl spot.

With Josh Sitton going down with an injury two weeks ago, it is also likely that Snee will be starting in the 2012 Pro Bowl.

30. D'Qwell Jackson, LB

Coming into the season, the Cleveland Browns were looking for a leader on their defense.

Well, D'Qwell Jackson has absolutely become that leader for a surprisingly good defensive unit. He ranks second in the NFL in tackles with 125 total tackles, and he has added four sacks and an interception to his impressive resume.

The Browns defense is on the rise, and Jackson is a big reason why. 

29. Mike Wallace, WR

We are now at the place in the rankings where the following players are all almost guaranteed to make the Pro Bowl roster.

Mike Wallace starts off the list with his second straight impressive season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he isn't having quite the year he had last year, he still has over 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

That should be plenty to land him on the Pro Bowl roster this year, even if it's as a backup receiver.

28. Jimmy Graham, TE

Jimmy Graham has emerged as the best tight end in the NFC, and possibly the second best in the NFL.

He's an athletic player with great hands who is a perfect fit in the offense that New Orleans runs. Teams have had a difficult even slowing him down this year, and a Pro Bowl invite is absolutely guaranteed.

27. Terrell Suggs, LB

Terrell Suggs is once again proving that he is just as valuable as Ed Reed and Ray Lewis to the defense of the Baltimore Ravens.

On the season, Suggs currently has 13 sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. He's quietly having a career season.

Not only will Suggs make another Pro Bowl in 2012, but he could be a contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

26. Frank Gore, RB

While the defense for the San Francisco 49ers deserves major credit for making this team a Super Bowl contender, Frank Gore might deserve just as much credit.

Even with a slow start to the season, Gore has already eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark this season. He's the focal point of the 49ers offense, and even when opposing defenses focus on him, they've had a difficult time slowing him down.

Had Matt Forte not gotten injured, Gore probably wouldn't have made the Pro Bowl, but the door has been opened and Gore has taken a giant step through it.

25. Mike Pouncey, C

As a rookie for the Miami Dolphins, Mike Pouncey is having an exceptional season.

All year long he has been one of the better centers in the AFC, and much like his brother, Maurkice Pouncey, did last year, Mike should get invited to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Even playing for a subpar team won't be able to stop him from going to Hawaii.

24. Steve Smith, WR

Many thought that Steve Smith's career was over with the Carolina Panthers heading into the 2011 season.

However, a guy by the name of Cam Newton has revitalized Smith's career, and he is having one heck of a season. His 1,217 receiving yards are second only to Wes Welker and his 18.2 yards per catch average is the sixth best in the NFL.

Don't be surprised if this isn't the last time we see Smith in the Pro Bowl thanks to his ultra-talented quarterback.

23. Eric Weddle, S

When Eric Weddle signed a gigantic contract in the offseason, everyone thought he was overpaid.

Now that we are through 14 weeks of the season, most have changed their mind. His seven interceptions are tied for the most in the league, and he has rightfully earned playmaker status.

There haven't been many bright spots for the San Diego Chargers this year, but Weddle is certainly one of them.

22. Carl Nicks, OG

As the best offensive guard in the NFC, Carl Nicks will be on a Pro Bowl roster for many, many years.

His teammate Jahri Evans is another outstanding guard, and will likely make the Pro Bowl also, but Nicks is a lock at this point of the season.

21. Andy Lee, P

Yeah, a punter made this list. I'll even let you in on a little secret: two punters made this list.

Andy Lee has been the best punter in the NFC and will make the Pro Bowl.

20. Patrick Willis, LB

Patrick Willis' Pro Bowl hopes all rest on a quick return from injury. If a speedy recovery happens, he will have no trouble making the roster.

Even if he misses another week or two, he quite possibly has been dominant enough to garner a spot in the 2012 Pro Bowl. He's simply been that good this year.

Willis is the best in the game, and thanks to the San Francisco 49ers being relevant this year, we've all been able to see just how good he really is.

19. Von Miller, LB

Coming into the NFL, we all knew that Von Miller was going to be able to rack up some sacks.

I think it would be safe to say that we didn't expect him to do it so easily or frequently in his rookie season, but that is exactly what he has done. He's the favorite to bring home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and his 12 sacks and 62 tackles make him worthy of that award.

This will be the first of many Pro Bowl invitations that Miller will receive over the course of his career.

18. London Fletcher, LB

There may not be a more underrated player in the NFL than London Fletcher. It seems like every year we forget about how good Fletcher really is.

Maybe it's because of the fact that he plays for the Washington Redskins that he doesn't receive his due attention, but 134 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions are impressive for any middle linebacker.

Fletcher absolutely deserves to make the 2012 Pro Bowl, and if he doesn't, it will be the snub of the decade.

17. Shane Lechler, P

I told you there were two punters on this list. Andy Lee was the first, and Shane Lechler is the second.

I'll let you in on a little secret. As long as Lechler is a punter in the NFL, you can put his name on the Pro Bowl roster.

16. Patrick Petersen, PR/KR

It may seem crazy to not have Devin Hester as the return specialist for the NFC, but Patrick Petersen has been better than Hester this year.

He has four punt returns for touchdowns already this year, and numerous of them were crucial to the Arizona Cardinals winning the game. If anyone can dethrone Hester as the best return man in the NFL, it's Petersen.

15. Ray Rice, RB

Ray Rice has been the most complete back in the AFC during the 2011 season.

He already has over 1,600 total yards and 12 touchdowns, and he has been the focal point of the Baltimore Ravens offense this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Rice finishes the season with over 2,000 total yards and at least 15 touchdowns.

Those type of numbers will guarantee him a spot on the 2012 Pro Bowl roster.

14. LeSean McCoy, RB

Coming into the 2011 season, everyone thought that Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson were going to be the offensive leaders for the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, that honor has clearly gone to LeSean McCoy, who is not only having a Pro Bowl season, but an All-Pro season also. He has the second most rushing yards in the NFL with 1,172. He also has 14 touchdowns, which leads the NFL, and has been a threat as a receiver also.

McCoy is a definite MVP candidate, and will likely be the starting running back for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

13. Calvin Johnson, WR

At the start of the season, it looked like Calvin Johnson was going to break the record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season.

However, he has now cooled down quite a bit, and now he'll have to have some huge games to simply lead the league in touchdown receptions this year. This decline throughout the year shouldn't slow down his Pro Bowl chances, as he is still the best receiver in the NFC.

Johnson will be starting in the 2012 Pro Bowl.

12. Charles Woodson, CB

I'm not sure how it's possible that Charles Woodson gets better with age, but that is absolutely what he is doing.

Woodson is having a fantastic season for the Green Bay Packers. He is tied for the league-lead with seven interceptions, and also has two sacks and 62 tackles to add to his resume. His versatility is what makes him such a great cornerback.

Not only will Woodson likely make the 2012 Pro Bowl, but he is also a dark-horse candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

11. Haloti Ngata, DT

Haloti Ngata is the best in the game at his position.

He does everything you could ever want a nose tackle, or defensive tackle, to do for your team. Whether it's eating up blockers or getting pressure on the quarterback, Ngata does it all.

The 2012 Pro Bowl will just be one of many future Pro Bowls for Ngata.

10. Joe Thomas, OT

The debate between Joe Thomas and Jake Long as the best offensive tackle in the league has been going on for quite a while.

Now that Long is having a down year, Thomas has shown that he is deserving of the title as the best in the business. He's an absolute beast for a struggling Cleveland Browns offense, and he is the most trustworthy offensive tackle in the game right now.

9. Wes Welker, WR

No one could have predicted the type of season that Wes Welker is currently having. It started with the first game of the season against the Miami Dolphins, and he hasn't slowed down since.

Not many people thought Welker would be capable of being the No. 1 receiver for the New England Patriots, but he has proven all his doubters wrong. He isn't simply a slot receiver anymore.

Welker currently leads the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards, and is a lock to make the 2012 Pro Bowl.

8. Rob Gronkowski, TE

The only New England Patriot that might be more impressive than Tom Brady or Wes Welker this year is Rob Gronkowski.

The second-year player is having a historic season for a tight end, and if he keeps playing at the level he has the past few weeks, he could end up having a historic season for any type of receiver.

To put it simply, Gronkowksi has been unstoppable. His play during this season has separated him as the best tight end in the league.

7. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

It's truly a shame that Maurice Jones-Drew plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars because he never gets the respect that he deserves.

Even though he leads the NFL in rushing yards, no one seems to talk about how great of a season Jones-Drew is having. He's been nearly unstoppable, even when opposing defenses have been able to solely focus on him.

If you were to put Ray Rice or LeSean McCoy on the Jaguars, I'd be very surprised if they were able to produce like Jones-Drew has. That's what should make him a lock for the 2012 Pro Bowl.

6. DeMarcus Ware, LB

Year after year, DeMarcus Ware continues to demoralize offensive lines and strike fear into opposing quarterbacks' hearts.

There is only a handful of defensive players that are even on the same level as Ware is at rushing the quarterback. He's been so good for so many years, it's no surprise that he is once again near the league lead in sacks.

Until teams can figure out how to slow down Ware, which they haven't been able to in seven years, he will be a fixture on Pro Bowl rosters.

5. Darrelle Revis, CB

Now we are getting to the best of the best.

Darrelle Revis kicks off the list as the best shutdown cornerback in the NFL. No one even comes close to having the type of impact that Revis has on games.

Quarterbacks literally don't even look in his direction when playing against him, and he has done a fantastic job at completely shutting down the opposing team's top receiver.

His ability is extremely rare and enjoyable to watch, and hopefully we'll be able to watch it in the 2012 Pro Bowl.

4. Jared Allen, DE

With 17.5 sacks on the season, Jared Allen has been an absolute beast. He has a legitimate chance at breaking Michael Strahan's record for sacks in a single season.

Not only has Allen been one of the best defensive players all year long, he has done it for a rather crappy team. Most players might give up on the season if their team only had two wins, but not Allen. He's continued to play at a high level and dominate football games.

Right now, Allen is the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and he will absolutely make the 2012 Pro Bowl.

3. Drew Brees, QB

It's too bad that both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are having such phenomenal seasons because it is taking away from the type of season that Drew Brees is having.

His 4,386 yards lead the NFL, and he also leads the league with a 70.9 completion percentage. It's very possible that Brees will break Dan Marino's record of passing yards in a single season.

If he continues to play at such a high level, and Rodgers and Brady cool off, Brees could walk away with the MVP Award this season.

2. Tom Brady, QB

Tom Brady has been the second-best quarterback in the NFL this season.

Even though he doesn't have weapons like Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers, he still finds a way to get it done. He makes players like Deion Branch look like top receivers.

He leads one of the best teams in the AFC, and will be voted as the starting quarterback for the 2012 Pro Bowl.

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB

Is anyone really surprised that Aaron Rodgers is the most likely player to make the 2012 Pro Bowl?

The man has been playing in another universe all year long. He quarterbacks for the best team in football, a team that has a legitimate chance at finishing the season 16-0.

If you watch Rodgers, you can't help but shake your head in disbelief at what he does. Being voted to start at quarterback for the NFC in the 2012 Pro Bowl is just one of many honors that Rodgers will have at the end of the season.