Offense
QB Derek Carr: At 33 years old, Derek Carr gets to his 3rd pro bowl in his career and second consecutive during his career resurgence on the Saints. Time will tell if New Orleans trust him to continue this as he ages, but Carr deserves credit for his 48 total touchdowns and over 4,750 total yards. He did throw 26 interceptions and take 22 sacks but an exceptional season from the veteran who led the Saints to a 14-3 record.
FB Taysom Hill: At 34 years old, Taysom Hill finally makes a pro bowl after he was reclassified as a full back. He blocks, runs, and catches with the best of them and was a new wrinkle to the Saints offense this season earning an accolade for the first time in his professional career. This may be his swan song season and he contributed 289 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns and countless plays of effort and hustle that aren’t recorded in the box score. Well deserved.
WR Chris Olave: After dealing with injuries last season, Olave balled out in a full season under this high powered New Orleans offense and made his first pro bowl in his 3rd season at age 24. He’ll be looking to be an all-pro alongside this pro bowl appearance as he recorded 89 receptions, 1,464 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns along with 60 rushing yards. He ascended to the top of the wide receiver landscape and clearly has his eyes on bigger accomplishments.
Defense
MLB Smael Mondon Jr: As a 21 year old rookie, Smael took over for the elite veteran Demario Davis when he retired and the defense not only didn’t miss a beat, but may have gotten better. Mondon came from Georgia and looked like he was still playing in college with 125 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 touchdown. He did it all and earned this pro bowl appearance and probably the defensive rookie of the year award as well. Off ball linebackers aren’t often worth a first round pick, but Smael is showing he was.
CB Paulson Adebo: The Saints extended Adebo early in the season and it paid off as he surely would have demanded more money after the fantastic pro bowl season he put together. With 79 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 11 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 1 touchdown Paulson Adebo made his mark as perhaps the best cornerback in the league and will be money well spent for New Orleans for years to come as the first time pro bowler heads into his second contract in his prime.
CB Alontae Taylor: Alontae Taylor is back in the pro bowl for a second consecutive season after New Orleans traded Marshon Lattimore and trusted its young duo to shine. Shined they have as Taylor is the second half of this 25 year old cornerback duo that lead the league in cornerback interceptions. He had 58 total tackles, 8 interceptions, 5 pass deflections, and 1 touchdown. I’m not sure if any team in history has ever had their two starting cornerbacks make the pro bowl together but the Saints now have that accolade and without Marshon Lattimore. Taylor will be up for a hefty extension after the two years he’s put together back to back.
