By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — While the team itself has struggled throughout the season, some New Orleans Saints players have performed very well and are being recognized for it.
The NFL kicked off Pro Bowl voting on Nov. 25 as fan voting opened for the public. Pro Bowl players are selected by consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group is equally weighted and the event’s 88-man roster is selected.
On that roster, four New Orleans Saints players currently rank within the top-10 at their respective positions: running back Alvin Kamara, safety Tyrann Matheiu, fullback Adam Prentice and punter Matthew Hayball. The rookie punter was also revealed on Monday to be the top vote-getter at his position through the early portion of voting.
#ProBowlVote update:
Alvin Kamara, Tyrann Mathieu Adam Prentice, and Matthew Hayball are in the top 10 of their respective positions in early #ProBowlGames voting!
VOTE: https://t.co/pf7WG0yEkE pic.twitter.com/N8StLYrAhC
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 3, 2024
Okay, sure. Prentice ranks within the top-10 at his position with only nine eligible options at the position. However, he does deserve recognition as a likely highly-ranked option. The 27-year-old fullback has not received a carry this year, but has been a quintessential part of the run game still as one of the team’s best blockers. Saints fans are typically ravenous throughout this process as well, giving their fullback a chance.
Kamara is having one of the best seasons of his career, on pace for his first ever 1,000 yard rushing year. He has also added 450 receiving yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage. His 53.4 rushing and 37.5 receiving yards per game averages are his highest since 2020. The back also ranks No. 3 in the NFL in yards from scrimmage, trailing only Philadelphia Eagles rusher Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens. Barkley and Henry lead their conferences in votes at the position.
Mathieu left last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams with a shoulder injury that is not expected to be serious, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Matheiu has also had a strong season this year despite being hard on himself as the team was struggling through a seven-game losing streak. Next Gen Stats had him ranked with the 4th-lowest target rate (4.5%) among qualifying safeties. He also had the No. 2 ball hawk rate from the analytics site as well at 37.5%.
