These five Seahawks have real potential to make their first Pro Bowl

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes for 4 yards against linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes for 4 yards against linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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These five Seahawks players are all solid candidates to make their first Pro Bowl in 2018.

The Seattle Seahawks certainly haven’t lacked talent in the Pete Carroll era. The Legion of Boom and their friends up front got a lot of noteriety, rightly so. The offense has their stars too. Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin are the obvious perennial picks. But Tyler Lockett and Duane Brown have made the Pro Bowl too.

So they’re out. But who’s in? We’ve got a backup getting his time to shine, some second year players, a rookie stepping up – shoot, we even have an offensive lineman. Yes, on the Seahawks. So let’s get to it! I’ll list them in order of the longest shot to the surest thing. Although of course, there are no sure things. It’s probably no surprise the two facing the toughest odds are on offense.

Justin Britt, center. Britt found his role at center in 2016. He took a bit of a step back last year, but it wasn’t exactly the best year for the Seahawks offensive line in general. He might be the biggest longshot in this group, but I expect him to make a big leap forward under new line coach Mike Solari.

Chris Carson, running back. To pull off a Pro Bowl bid, Carson will have to win (and keep) the starting job on his own team first. But as I wrote previously, I think Carson and first round pick Rashaad Penny can give the Seahawks a powerhouse combo in the backfield. Splitting carries didn’t keep Mark Ingram or Devonta Freeman off the Pro Bowl squad, and it won’t stop Carson, either.

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Seahawks have better odds on defense

Shaquill Griffin, cornerback. Griffin is taking Richard Sherman’s old position in the LOB. So he might as well take his spot on the Pro Bowl team too. Actually his rookie season looks pretty good next to Sherman’s. Sherman had four picks to Griffin’s one, but the other stats are interchangeable. Griffin had a few more tackles and one sack, while Sherman forced a fumble. Sherman made a huge leap forward in his second year. Griffin will do the same.

Frank Clark, defensive end. Despite getting 12 starts last year due to Cliff Avril’s injury, Clark was only in for 67 percent of defensive snaps. He should be in for about 85 percent in 2018. I see Clark getting 15 sacks this season as the former Michigan Wolverine comes into his own.

Michael Dickson, punter. Yes, I’m putting a rookie on the Pro Bowl roster before he’s even locked up his spot on the Seahawks. No disrespect to Jon Ryan at all. He’s been excellent for Seattle, and he definitely still has the “fire in the belly“. But Dickson is a once in a generation player, a true game-changer. Within two years, the Competition Committee will come up with some ridiculous rule to try to negate his effect on the game. Just watch.

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Will all five make the Pro Bowl? Of course not. Wilson, Bobby Wagner, and Earl Thomas (assuming he plays) will all be in. Doug Baldwin and K.J. Wright could certainly make it back, and Tyler Lockett is primed for a great season. The Seahawks are not going to have 10 Pro Bowl players. But they will have more than last year’s four, and more wins, too.