2021 NFL Draft: 5 rookies who’ll eventually be Pro Bowl candidates

The 2021 NFL Draft had some very talented players and guys that I think will be franchise cornerstones. However, it seems that every fan will convince themselves that the guy that their team picked will become a pro bowler instantly and help their team out from the time that he steps out onto the field, but that is rarely the case for rookies.

I think that there are certain positions that make it easier to make the pro bowl and those should be the guys that get the nod in January for the NFL’s version of an “all-star” game.

To be clear, this list is of guys I think will be Pro Bowlers in their career, not just their rookie year.

For quarterbacks, it will always be tough because you have the biggest stars in the game at the position and that can make it hard for a rookie to get in. Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones all should start from Week 1, but all of those guys but one (Fields) play in the same league as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, which could make it tough to make it.

For running backs and wide receivers, it is much more favorable because of the situation the player is in and the workload that he will have. Don’t be surprised if Najee Harris is a Pro Bowl player in Pittsburgh because of the volume of carries that he is likely to receive.

Right now, Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams will have to compete for carries and until they separate from their teammates, it will be tough to make a Pro Bowl. Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Devonta Smith will have a chance to be the No. 1 receivers for their respective teams and put up monster numbers, so keep your eye on them.

Defensive players in this year’s draft were not thought of as highly as the offensive players, but there is always one guy that finds a way to break out and be a high-level Pro Bowl player. Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain II, and Jaelan Phillips are guys to watch to be Pro Bowlers.

Here are the five 2021 draftees who I think will be Pro Bowlers in their career.