Marshal Yanda, G, fifth Pro Bowl selection: He’s the best guard in the NFL and possibly the top offensive lineman. Yanda is the highest-graded offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus for the second straight season. He has built a reputation for being a mauling run-blocker and a stellar pass protector. It’s the fifth straight Pro Bowl for Yanda, which is a significant accomplishment. Only two offensive linemen (Cleveland’s Joe Thomas and New Orleans’ Jahri Evans) have longer current streaks.
Sam Koch, P: It’s a well-deserved first Pro Bowl for Koch, who is in his 10th NFL season. He tops the league with a 44-yard net average, and he is fourth with a 47.7-yard gross average. Koch and St. Louis’ Johnny Hekker are the NFL’s only punters who rank in the top four in net and gross average. He is unique in that he has developed several different types of punts, including a boomerang one, that keep returners guessing. “He’s changing the way the game is going to be played,” special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said earlier this season.
SNUBS
Brandon Williams, NT: In his second season as a starter, Williams is quickly establishing himself as one of the emerging interior defensive linemen in the league. Williams, Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh and Dallas’ Nick Hayden are the NFL’s only defensive tackles with at least 30 solo tackles, two sacks and two passes defensed this season. He’s the anchor of the line that has held teams to 3.8 yards per carry, which is tied for fifth best in the league.
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