Three Patriots lead fan voting for the Pro Bowl at their positions

Author Matt Dolloff

November 24th, 2021 11:22 AM

The Patriots are well-represented in the fan balloting for the 2021 Pro Bowl. According to the latest data released by the league, three Patriots lead their respective positions in fan voting for the AFC Pro Bowl team: cornerback J.C. Jackson, center David Andrews, and long snapper Joe Cardona.

Jackson leads all AFC cornerbacks to this point with 58,166 fan votes. Andrews leads at center with 39,504 votes, over 9,000 more than the NFC leader, Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz. Cardona leads all long snappers with 34,033 votes.

New England has the second-most fan votes among teams, with the Cowboys leading the way. The Rams, Chiefs, and Ravens round out the top-5.

The Pro Bowl lacks the prestige of the All-Pro awards, but they can be helpful for players who are in line for a new contract – like Jackson. He leads the AFC in interceptions and leads the league in total pass breakups, and there’s no obvious favorite for the First Team All-Pro award at cornerback, so Jackson is realistically in the conversation for that honor.

The Patriots have other players who have a good chance to make the Pro Bowl, despite being absent from the voting leaderboards. Here’s a rundown of their other All-Pro/Pro Bowl candidates…

• Matthew Judon

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  It's quite crowded among pass-rushers, as usual. So there's no shame in Judon falling short in Pro Bowl voting to the leader at outside linebacker, the Steelers' T.J. Watt. But if Watt is classified as an "edge rusher" in All-Pro voting, then he's competing for that award with the Browns' Myles Garrett. That leaves an opening for Judon to grab some hardware as a linebacker. He's third in the NFL in sacks with 10.5, and third in QB hits with 22. He's in the conversation, for sure.

• Hunter Henry

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  Henry has some serious competition for awards at his position. But his seven touchdown catches do lead all AFC tight ends, two more than Travis Kelce and three more than Mark Andrews. Henry might ultimately lack the volume stats to be able to beat out Kelce for positional awards, but he has a chance to make the Pro Bowl as a reserve.

• Nick Folk

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  Folk leads the NFL with 26 total field goals made, and ranks fourth with a 92.9 field goal percentage despite having the most attempts in the league (28). Folk especially played a big role for the team in the early weeks of the season, salvaging drives as the Patriots worked through issues with their red zone offense. He may not beat out Justin Tucker for the Pro Bowl, but Folk should get legitimate All-Pro consideration. And that's incredible, considering he was out of the league in 2018.
• Gunner Olszewski

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  Olszewski is enjoying another outstanding season as the Patriots' primary punt returner. He's second only to the Ravens' Devin Duvernay in yards per punt return with 12.6. Duvernay leads with 15.6. Pittsburgh's Ray-Ray McCloud leads the Pro Bowl voting, but Olszewski and Duvernay look like the competition for the All-Pro team.

Ultimately, All-Pro awards and Pro-Bowl nods don’t mean much to anyone other than the players themselves. And ideally, their real goal is to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots might not be ready to compete for a championship as soon as 2021, but their stable of Pro Bowl candidates is a great sign that the team has rebounded strongly from a down year in 2020.

MORE: Have the 2021 Patriots found their identity?

• NFL: New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons

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  Nov 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) celebrates after a touchdown pass with center David Andrews (60) and offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons

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  Nov 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) celebrates after an interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

• New England Patriots Training Camp

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  FOXBOROUGH, MA - JULY 28, 2021: Joe Cardona #49 of the New England Patriots walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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Author Matt Dolloff

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David Andrews,jc jackson,joe cardona,Matt Dolloff,New England Patriots,NFL