By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The NFL announced its 2020 Pro Bowl selections Tuesday. The Bills, holding court among the league’s best with a 10-4 record, earned only one selection for the NFL’s all-star game.
Cornerback Tre’Davious White earned a spot among the league’s star-studded contest after years of being among the snubbed players himself.
Buffalo’s record is a testament to the team-first mentality that the organization emphasizes. Still, several Bills deserved accolades and the opportunity to perform on this stage.
Here are three Bills who were snubbed on this year’s Pro Bowl vote:
WR John Brown
Brown has been a revelation for the Bills aerial attack, giving Buffalo its closest player to a No. 1 receiver in years. The veteran wideout has given quarterback Josh Allen a reliable option in all parts of the field this year, despite many tabbing him as nothing more than a vertical, speedy threat when he signed with the Bills.
Brown has demonstrated that he is more than just a burner, running precise routes and beating defenders out wide. He is 10th in the AFC in receptions (71) and seventh in receiving yards (1,007). When focusing solely on wide receivers, Brown is sixth in each category. This past week against the Steelers, Brown had 99 yards receiving, which gave the Bills their first 1,000-yard playmaker since Sammy Watkins in 2015.
Brown also threw a touchdown pass this season:
Some trickeration from the Bills gives John Brown AND Devin Singletary a TD on the same play!pic.twitter.com/vzCPfRasWq
— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) November 28, 2019LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds is trending toward future All-Pro status in the coming years, as he is dominating in the center of the Bills defense. Early in his career, he struggled, but that hasn’t been the case since about halfway through his rookie season.
Currently, Edmunds is sixth in the AFC in tackles with 105, a testament to his ability to read plays at an all-star level. He has registered 1.5 sacks, including a safety. Edmunds has also fared well in pass coverage, recording one interception and nine passes defensed. He is a do-it-all, sideline-to-sideline force for Buffalo.
DT Jordan Phillips
Phillips has been a surprise disruptive force in the middle of the Bills defensive line this season. His 9.5 sacks lead all defensive tackles in the AFC and only trails Rams star Aaron Donald in the category across the NFL. Phillips has also registered 14 tackles for loss this year.
Overall, he has been a headache for opponents’ offensive lines. Buffalo has lacked consistent pressure from the interior of their defensive line for years. Phillips’ play will make him a target for teams in free agency this spring, but from the looks of it, there should be mutual interest in both sides to retain Phillips. However, he bet on himself, re-signing with the team on a one-year deal this offseason and boy has he proven something.