The New Orleans Saints have just one Pro Bowler in 2024. That title belongs to Rashid Shaheed. He's the return specialist for the NFC.
Unfortunately, New Orleans did not get another nomination that it deserved this season. Veteran linebacker Demario Davis should have been selected to the Pro Bowl, but he was not. Davis is second among NFC LBs in Pro Football Focus rating with an 89.8.
Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks made it over Davis, somehow. The NFC's other linebacker selected was Fred Warner. He's top LB in the NFL, so that makes a bit more sense.
Davis may not be as popular or have as many tackles as Wagner, but he's been a more impactful and consistent player this season. Not to mention, Davis has seven sacks to Wagner's 3.5. He has forced zero turnovers. Davis has forced one fumble this season.
If you have watched the Saints defense this year, you've seen Davis making plenty of plays. In the team's win over the Giants, Davis singlehandedly took over the first quarter. He had multiple tackles for loss and a sack in that matchup.
He had an impressive return on a forced fumble in Week 17, too.
Overall, the snub for Davis is not surprising. He has been overlooked many times in previous seasons as well.
The Pro Bowl is mostly a popularity contest with a bit of box score scouting in many cases. Davis may not have the most tackles in the league, but he's a top four linebacker in the NFL this season - undoubtedly.
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