The Seattle Seahawks have had a strong presence at the Pro Bowl over the last few years. Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Tyler Lockett have all been on the Pro Bowl roster in the last few seasons, representing the Emerald City.
While many of those players are likely to suit up in the Pro Bowl again next season, the Seahawks also have a handful of players who could find themselves making their first career Pro Bowl appearance next season.
Here are three players on the Seahawks who are primed to make their first Pro Bowl in 2018:
FRANK CLARK, DEFENSIVE END
Frank Clark was a second round pick by the Seahawks in 2015. He has played in 46 out of a possible 48 games since then, although he’s only started 17 of them – 12 which came last year.
However, with Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Sheldon Richardson all gone, Clark will step into an increased role in 2018. And with the amount of skill he has shown in a part-time role, he should be able to put together a Pro Bowl worthy season for the Seahawks.
Clark is an elite pass-rusher, having racked up 19 sacks in the last two seasons. That’s more than both Bennett and Avril in the same window, even though Clark only started 17 games.
He also earned himself a grade of 81.2 last season from Pro Football Focus, good for #35 among edge rushers. Clark should continue to improve on that number with an increased role next season.
Clark should have no problem eclipsing double-digit sacks again in 2019, and has a very real chance of finding himself in Orlando for his first Pro Bowl nod.
JUSTIN BRITT, CENTER
Britt has been a bright spot on an otherwise unimpressive Seahawks offensive line in recent years. He started at right tackle his rookie year, before switching to guard his second year and now cementing himself as the team’s starting center.
His overall grade from Pro Football Focus last year was a 66.9, which only ranked him 17th among centers. However, Britt excels as a pass blocker, earning a 98.7 score for pass blocking efficiency. In fact, he only allowed 11 pressures last season in 651 total pass-blocking snaps.
Britt will once again lead a steadily improving offensive line, and if he can continue to work on his run-blocking he could find himself snapping the ball to Russell Wilson at the Pro Bowl in February.
RASHAAD PENNY, RUNNING BACK
Should Justin Britt and the rest of Seattle’s line make the necessary improvements to their run blocking next year, Rashaad Penny would be the biggest beneficiary. In fact, Penny could find himself in the Pro Bowl in his first year.
Penny was a do-it-all back at San Diego State, and the Seahawks are hoping he can establish himself as a three-down back in Seattle. If he is able to beat out Chris Carson for carries and can hold his own in pass-protection, Penny could become a true bell-cow next year. A 1,000 yard season and a few receptions per game is a lofty, but attainable, projection for the rookie running back – and would almost certainly get him a Pro Bowl jersey in Orlando next year.
