Eight most surprising NFL players having Pro Bowl seasons

Midway through the 2023 NFL season, there have been plenty of surprise performances and breakout players. Here’s a look at eight players who are unexpectedly putting up Pro Bowl-caliber numbers:

Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders

Yes, Howell is on track to break David Carr’s record for most sacks taken in a single season. But it’s not his fault the Commanders stuck him behind a dreadful offensive line and told him to figure it out. If anything, Washington’s O-line issues further prove why Howell is deserving of a Pro Bowl nod.

Among QBs to play in eight or more games, Howell is the sixth-most pressured (37.3% of dropbacks) but he leads the NFL in pass attempts (353) and completions (235), and he ranks second in passing yards (2,471), seventh in touchdowns (14) and 13th in completion percentage (66.6). He’s also tied for the fifth-most touchdown passes of 20 or more yards (five) and the seventh-most completions of 20 or more yards (15).

D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Cast away like an afterthought after the Detroit Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in April, the Eagles landed Swift on the cheap, giving up fourth- and seventh-round picks in 2025 for the Georgia alum.

Through nine games, Swift ranks third in the NFL in rushing (614) and eighth in yards from scrimmage (780). He’s just three yards away from setting a new career high in rushing yards and he has the third-most yards from scrimmage among running backs behind only San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey and Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne.

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

When the year began, no one would have been surprised if Robert Woods, John Metchie and rookie Tank Dell all were higher on the depth chart than Collins. But eight games into the year, Collins ranks 10th in the NFL in receiving yards (631) and his 17.5 yards per catch is fifth-most among WRs with 20 or more receptions. 

Collins, who leads the Texans in all major receiving categories, has already set new career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns (four), and he’s just two receptions away from setting a new career best in that category as well.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, New York Giants

Though Thibodeaux had a solid rookie season (45 pressures, four sacks), he didn’t have the kind of impact the Giants were likely expecting from a fifth overall pick. This season, in a time when the Giants have seemingly nothing going for them, Thibodeaux has been their lone bright spot.

The 22-year-old leads the league in sack yardage (78), and he ranks sixth in sacks (8.5) and he’s tied for 14th in tackles for loss (eight). Of the seven players with eight or more sacks this season, Thibodeaux has done it with the third-fewest pass-rush snaps (263) and the lowest pass-rush win rate (7.6%).

Carl Granderson, DE, New Orleans Saints

Entering this year, Granderson had never had more than 5.5 sacks or 28 pressures in any season. Nine games through the year, he’s already matched his 5.5-sack career high and his 37 pressures and 24 hurries are both career-bests. 

Granderson ranks 12th in the NFL in hurries, 13th in QB hits (seven), 16th in pressures, and he’s tied for 19th in sacks. He has more pressures than Haason Reddick, Montez Sweat and NFL sack leader Danielle Hunter, more hurries than Hunter, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, and more sacks than Jeffery Simmons, Aidan Hutchinson and Joey Bosa.

DaRon Bland, CB, Dallas Cowboys

Bland has surrendered 20 receptions on 41 targets and allowed just one touchdown this season. He’s tied for the fourth-most passes defensed in the NFL (10), and his four interceptions are second-most behind only Ravens safety Geno Stone (see below). 

The 24-year-old also leads the league in interception return yardage (116) and defensive touchdowns (three). Of cornerbacks with 100 or more coverage snaps, Bland has the lowest passer rating when targeted (33.8) and he’s surrendered the ninth-lowest completion percentage (48.8).

Geno Stone, S, Baltimore Ravens

Stone leads the league with six interceptions, and he’s picked off a pass in four straight games. Of safeties to play 100 or more coverage snaps this season, he’s tied for the third-fewest yards per reception allowed (7.2) and the sixth-lowest passer rating allowed (48.6).

Nick Folk, K, Tennessee Titans

Given the Titans' kicking woes over the last four seasons, Folk’s year is pretty remarkable. He’s hit all 19 of his field goals and all 13 of his extra points; he’s one of two players to make 100% of both. He’s also 3-for-3 on kicks of 50 yards or longer.