Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson Should be Pro Bowl Replacements

Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) runs onto the field for player introductions before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) runs onto the field for player introductions before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers reaching the Super Bowl, there will be 14 players that will need to be replaced at the Pro Bowl, three of which are at the cornerback position. That doesn’t include the players that could pull out of the NFL’s all star game.

Cornerbacks Josh Norman, Chris Harris, and Aquib Talib were voted to go to the Pro Bowl, however, because they are now in the Super Bowl, they will no longer be able to attend.

Due to the exceptional depth in the NFL at the cornerback position, Los Angeles Rams cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins missed out in initial voting. However, with Norman, Harris, and Talib all going to the Super Bowl and three spots opening up, there is a good chance Jenkins and/or Johnson could replace them.

How they didnt make the Pro Bowl in the first place is amazing enough, however, with three spots opening up, if they dont make the roster, there is a serious problem with the system.

For starters, Johnson had 58 total tackles, 7 interceptions, 17 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown in 2015. From a statistical standpoint, “Tru” has put up Pro Bowl worthy numbers this season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson was the third best cornerback in the NFL in terms of QB rating allowed (54.1) through Week 14 of the regular season. He only trailed Josh Norman and Patrick Peterson, who both made the Pro Bowl.

Prior to the season it was thought that Johnson was the third best cornerback on the roster behind Jenkins and second year player E.J. Gaines. By the end of the year, it could be argued that the Rams should bring back Johnson over Jenkins this offseason. Johnson shut down some of the NFL’s best receivers making him Pro Bowl worthy.

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Jenkins, playing in a contract year, had one of his best seasons as a pro. “Jack Rabbit” had 15 passes defended this year which was a career best to go along with three interceptions which was one shy of his rookie year best. It was #ClampSeason in St. Louis with Jenkins as he was put up man to man and forced to shadow number one receivers week in and week out.

Both Johnson and Jenkins deserve to go to to Pro Bowl especially with now three cornerback spots opening up. The two players would join Aaron Donald and Johnny Hekker as Rams in the all-star game.

The NFL Pro Bowl will take place on January 31st at 4:oo PM PT at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. This will be the third year in the new Pro Bowl format meaning the teams will be led by Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin.