:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52391353/630223188.0.jpeg)
The 2017 edition of the Pro Bowl won’t be the way it’s been in the recent past with a drafted format. We’re back to the game being the AFC vs. the NFC, and there’s also some new and fun additions to the festivities this season.
Now, we’ll have a Pro Bowl Skills Showdown that will be produced by the team that does American Ninja Warrior. It will consist of Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball, the Power Relay Challenge, Precision Passing, and Best Hands competitions. Tony Gonzalez and Charles Woodson will be the captains offensively and defensively for the NFC squad.
Leading the way in players were the Atlanta Falcons with six players, led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Ryan has been one of the league’s most prolific passers with nearly 5,000 yards through the air, 1,409 of them going to Jones, which is best in the NFC.
Ezekiel Elliott was named the starting running back for the NFC, and Dak Prescott was given a nod along with Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. Elliott has led the NFL in rushing with 1,551 yards. That, alongside Prescott has led the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC.
Cardinals running back David Johnson was voted in but had to bow out due to a knee injury. Bears rookie Jordan Howard took his place.
Typically the Pro Bowl takes place in Hawaii, but this year it will be in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET.
Here is the full roster of the NFC’s Pro Bowl players, with starters in bold. The AFC roster can be found here:
Offense
| QUARTERBACKS (3) | TIGHT ENDS (2) |
|---|---|
| QUARTERBACKS (3) | TIGHT ENDS (2) |
| Dak Prescott, Dallas | Greg Olsen, Carolina |
| Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay | Jordan Reed, Washington |
| Matt Ryan, Atlanta | |
| TACKLES (3) | |
| WIDE RECEIVERS (4) | Jason Peters, Philadelphia |
| Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants | Tyron Smith, Dallas |
| Mike Evans, Tampa Bay | Trent Williams, Washington |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona | |
| Julio Jones, Atlanta | GUARDS (3) |
| T.J. Lang, Green Bay | |
| RUNNING BACKS (3) | Zack Martin, Dallas |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas | Brandon Scherff, Washington |
| Devonta Freeman, Atlanta | |
| CENTERS (2) | |
| Jordan Howard, Chicago | Travis Frederick, Dallas |
| Alex Mack, Atlanta | |
| FULLBACK (1) | |
| Mike Tolbert, Carolina |
Defense
| DEFENSIVE ENDS (3) | INSIDE/MIDDLE LINEBACKERS (2) |
|---|---|
| DEFENSIVE ENDS (3) | INSIDE/MIDDLE LINEBACKERS (2) |
| Cliff Avril, Seattle | Luke Kuechly, Carolina |
| Michael Bennett, Seattle | Bobby Wagner, Seattle |
| Everson Griffen, Minnesota | |
| CORNERBACKS (4) | |
| INTERIOR LINEMEN (3) | Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants |
| Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia | Patrick Peterson, Arizona |
| Aaron Donald, Los Angeles | Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota |
| Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay | Richard Sherman, Seattle |
| OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (3) | FREE SAFETIES (2) |
| Vic Beasley, Atlanta | Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay |
| Thomas Davis, Carolina | Harrison Smith, Minnesota |
| Ryan Kerrigan, Washington | |
| STRONG SAFETY (1) | |
| Landon Collins, New York Giants |
Special Teams
| PUNTER (1) | RETURN SPECIALIST (1) |
|---|---|
| PUNTER (1) | RETURN SPECIALIST (1) |
| Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles | Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota |
| PLACEKICKERS (1) | SPECIAL TEAMER (1) |
| Matt Bryant, Atlanta | Dwayne Harris, New York Giants |