Bleacher Report's Official 2012 Pro Bowl Roster Predictions

Selection of the full Pro Bowl rosters consists of three parts.

Fan voting concluded on Dec. 19. Votes from players and coaches will make up the other two-thirds in determining the NFL starters who represent their respective conference in Honolulu one week before the Super Bowl.

Before the actual results are revealed on Tuesday, here is what we expect the teams to look like.

NFC Quarterbacks

Starter: Aaron Rodgers

With the exception of a dud in Kansas City, Rodgers has (along with his team) been perfect. His incompletions and interceptions are sparse, while his TDs are numerous.

Backups: Drew Brees, Eli Manning

If this were just about any other season, Brees (who is about to set the single-season passing yardage mark), would be the NFC starter and the league MVP. No QB has done more with less this year than Manning.

AFC Quarterbacks

Starter: Tom Brady

If it weren't for the play of Brady and his offense, the Patriots may not even be in the playoffs right now. Instead, they're aiming to be the top seed in the AFC.

Backups: Ben Roethlisberger, Andy Dalton

Big Ben (as usual) overcomes pain to pilot a strong Steelers passing attack. Not many projected the rookie out of TCU to even be considered for Honolulu at the beginning of this season, but Dalton has the Bengals a win away from the postseason.

NFC Running Backs

Starter: LeSean McCoy

The leading rusher in the NFC has been one of the few offensive bright spots in what has been a rather uninspiring season from Philadelphia. McCoy set the single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by an Eagle, breaking the mark previously held by Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren.  

Backups: Michael Turner, Frank Gore

Turner has five games of 100 yards or more on the ground, but most of those have come in the season's early games. Similarly, much of Gore's 1,202 yards have come before Thanksgiving, as he's tailed off slightly in the latter part of 2011.

Nevertheless, these two have been among the most productive RBs in the conference.

AFC Running Backs

Starter: Arian Foster

Proving he's no one-season star with his 1,224 yards, Foster has continued to lead the charge on the Houston running game with 10 rushing TDs. An early hamstring injury hasn't slowed him down one bit.

Backups: Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice

MJD tops the NFL in rushing yardage with 1,437 and averages 4.5 yards per carry. Rice is a threat both on the ground and through the air. The fourth-year tailback has totaled nearly 1,900 yards and has found the end zone 13 times. 

NFC Fullback

Starter: John Kuhn

One of the Packers' unsung heroes from last season's Super Bowl run, Kuhn has matched his 2010 total in rushing TDs (four) and receiving scores (2). Kuhn is usually called on for the short-yardage plays...and usually delivers.

AFC Fullback

Starter: Vonta Leach

Arguably the best signing by the Baltimore Ravens this past offseason was the 6-foot, 255-pound Leach. The former Houston Texans fullback proved he was worth his three-year, $11 million contract, providing key blocks for Joe Flacco and Ray Rice.

NFC Wide Receivers

Starters: Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith

There's no more unstoppable wide receiver in the NFL than Johnson and his 15 touchdowns. With him and Matthew Stafford linking up as a lethal passing combination, the Lions are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Steve Smith has been revived thanks to the play of rookie QB Cam Newton.

Backups: Roddy White, Greg Jennings

White has been a major reason for the Falcons' resurgence in the second half of the season. He's caught five touchdown passes over the course of the past four contests. Jennings was the top target for Aaron Rodgers in the Packers offense prior to him suffering a knee injury on Dec. 11 against Oakland.

AFC Wide Receivers

Starters: Wes Welker, Brandon Marshall

No wide out is more reliable than the Patriots' Welker. He has hauled in 116 passes, which is far away the best total in the league this year. Marshall has 77 catches, which is good for seventh-best in the NFL. The Dolphin also boasts a 15.5-yard reception average.

Backups: Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe

The up-and-coming Pittsburgh wideout has accumulated 1,182 yards via the air and is credited with eight TDs. Bowe has managed to have another solid campaign despite being saddled with a struggling offense in Kansas City.

NFC Tight Ends

Starter: Jimmy Graham

The second-year player from Miami has become another cog in New Orleans' potent offense. Graham's 1,171 yards and nine receiving TDs lead all NFC tight ends.

Backup: Tony Gonzalez

All modern-day tight ends will be measured against Gonzalez, who continues to put up solid numbers and be a key contributor to any team he is a part of.

AFC Tight Ends

Starter: Rob Gronkowski

Re-writing the record book at his position, Gronkowski has 15 touchdown catches. That's the most by a tight end in one season.

Backup: Aaron Hernandez

The Patriots don't just have one stout TE. Easily overlooked due to Gronkowski, Hernandez has six TDs and 772 receiving yards.

NFC Offensive Line

Starters: Jordan Gross (LT), Jahri Evans (LG), Scott Wells (C), Chris Snee (RG), Tyson Clabo (RT)

A perennial Pro Bowler, Gross has done a fine job taking care of Cam Newton. Scott Wells protects the middle of the line and gives Aaron Rodgers open lanes to throw.

Backups: Jason Peters, Ryan Kalil, Carl Nicks

Opening up the holes for LeSean McCoy has been Peters, who is looking to reach his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl. The Panthers' Kalil is after his third straight.

AFC Offensive Line

Starters: Duane Brown (LT), Logan Mankins (LG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Brian Waters (RG), Eric Winston (RT)

This group combines for nine Pro Bowl appearances. The majority of those comes from the veteran Waters, a former Chief who has continued his standout play with New England. The line is book-ended with a pair of Houston Texans each seeking their first All-Star selection.

Backups: Marshal Yanda, Chris Myers, Andrew Whitworth

Yanda continues to be the top offensive lineman on the Baltimore Ravens. Whitworth has effectively protected rookie Andy Dalton's blind side.

NFC Defensive Line

Starters: Jason Babin (DE), Justin Smith (DT), Ndamukong Suh (DT), Jared Allen (DE)

If either have a standout performance in their respective season finales, Babin or Allen could set the single-season sack record. As we well know, Suh can terrorize opponents as well.

Backups: Jason Pierre-Paul, Cullen Jenkins

With 15 sacks, Pierre-Paul leads the Giants' stellar pass rush. Jenkins hasn't had much of a drop-off since transitioning from Green Bay to Philly.

AFC Defensive Line

Starters: Elvis Dumervil (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT), Phil Taylor (DT), Dwight Freeney (DE)

The Broncos' top pass rusher has come alive since Week 9, notching 9.5 sacks. Freeney may have slowed down a step, but that doesn't mean he's no longer among the AFC's elite. Ngata consistently stuffs anyone who dares to come through the Ravens' defensive line.

Backups: Richard Seymour, Jeremy Mincey

The most underrated member of this group is Mincey, who has been a solid piece for the Jacksonville Jaguars with his 5.5 sacks. Seymour provides veteran leadership for the Oakland Raiders.

NFC Inside Linebackers

Starter: London Fletcher

There may be other flashy choices, but no one is as consistently effective as the leading tackler in the NFL. Fletcher also has two interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Backup: NaVarro Bowman

His teammate, Patrick Willis, could easily take this spot as well. However, the nod goes to the less-heralded Bowman and his 102 solo tackles.

AFC Inside Linebackers

Starter: Pat Angerer

The best player on an otherwise lousy Colts club has been Angerer. A second-year player out of Iowa, Angerer has recorded 137 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.

Backup: Ray Lewis

He's pretty much a lock for Honolulu...along with the Hall of Fame. Mid-season injuries haven't slowed this 16-year veteran down a bit.

NFC Outside Linebackers

Starters: DeMarcus Ware, Brian Orakpo

When the Dallas Cowboys defense plays well, it's usually Ware leading the charge with his exceptional pass rush. Orakpo is imitating Ware's abilities in Washington.

Backups: Aldon Smith

Von Miller gets plenty of praise, but it could be Smith who takes the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Ole Miss product has 14 sacks.

AFC Outside Linebackers

Starters: Terrell Suggs, Tamba Hali

Suggs' stats (13 sacks, 64 tackles, two INTs) and leadership show that he is the leading candidate for the NFL Defensive MVP. Hali has had many solid games this season, but his performance against Green Bay made him a lock for this spot in the Pro Bowl.

Backups: Von Miller

This high draft pick by the Broncos appears to be well worth the hype. Miller has notched 11.5 sacks along with 64 tackles.

NFC Cornerbacks

Starters: Carlos Rogers, Charles Woodson

Overrated and underperforming in Washington, Rogers is the recipient of six interceptions as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Woodson continues to be one of the best at his position with seven picks, one of those returned for a TD.

Backups: Brandon Browner

Browner has had the fortune of taking back two INTs to paydirt. His 220 interception return yards is second-best in the NFL.

AFC Cornerbacks

Starters: Darrelle Revis, Johnathan Joseph

It's still a dangerous endeavor to throw in the vicinity of Revis. The same is becoming true of Joseph, a former Bengal who has been a great addition to the Houston secondary. 

Backups: Kyle Arrington

New England's defense may be porous, but Arrington certainly isn't. He shares the league lead with seven interceptions and has 82 tackles.

NFC Safeties

Starters: Dashon Goldson, Kam Chancellor

The NFC West is well represented in this area. Goldson, once one of the most underrated safeties, will be getting his just due. Chancellor, a second-year player out of Virginia Tech, is having a breakout season.

Backup: Charlie Peprah

Who said the Packers have a lousy secondary? Green Bay leads the league in turnovers and Peprah has contributed to that cause with four interceptions. One of those, in Week 9 against San Diego, was returned to the end zone.

AFC Safeties

Starters: Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed

Neither of these two are the players they once were, but they both continue to present the ability to change the game. Polamalu and Reed together have 13 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Backup: Eric Weddle

No safety in the NFL does more with less (5-11, 200 pounds). In addition to seven picks, Weddle has recorded 83 tackles.

NFC Special Teams

Kicker: David Akers

With 42 field goals made in 2011, the current 49er and former Philadelphia Eagle set the record for the most in a single season.

Punter: Andy Lee

Also kicking the ball just fine for San Francisco is Lee, who averages 50.5 yards per punt with a net of 43.5.

Returner: Devin Hester

Patrick Peterson gave him a run for this spot. But when given the choice, we'd rather have Hester taking back the kicks. That is, if the opposing team even has the audacity to kick to him.

AFC Special Teams

Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski

Considered to be a questionable decision when he was taken in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Janikowski has been consistently effective with Oakland ever since. He makes field goals of 50 or more yards with regularity.

Punter: Shane Lechler

Like his teammate, Lechler has been one of the best in the game at his position over the course of the past decade. This would be his seventh selection to the Pro Bowl.

Returner: Josh Cribbs

The Browns' specialist peaked a few years back, but he still can be dangerous. Cribbs has a kick return average of 25.7 and took a punt back to paydirt from 84 yards out this season.