Chandler Jones and Budda Baker lead their positions in Pro Bowl voting
Dec 16, 2017, 3:06 PM | Updated: 4:39 pm
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates his sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars with defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Chandler Jones has been one of the brightest stars for the Arizona Cardinals this season and he is starting to see the rewards trickle in.
Jones and rookie specialist Budda Baker are each leading their positions in Pro Bowl voting. For both players it would be their first Pro Bowl appearance if selected.
With more than 171,000 votes, Jones leads all outside linebackers in the NFC in large part because of his league leading 14 sacks and career high 43 total tackles.
Jones is in his sixth season as a pro and just his second on the Cardinals and has some people talking about a potential Defensive Player of the Year award in the near future.
The linebacker has four sacks, 15 tackles and one forced fumble in his last three games and has recorded a sack in all but two of his 13 games started this season.
Baker was a second round draft pick last season and moved to a full time starter in week 11 against Houston. The safety had a career high 13 tackles, one sack, two passes deflected and two forced fumbles in that game.
Despite only four career starts, Baker received 96,595 based on the merits of his special teams play. Tyler Matakevich of the Steelers is leading the AFC as the top special teamer with 91,497 votes, that is 5,000 votes less than the rookie Baker.
Neither the Redskins nor Giants (the Cardinals next two opponents) have any players leading their positions in Pro Bowl voting.
There are two Seahawks on the list, who the Cardinals play in the final week of the season, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor at free safety and strong safety. Chancellor has already been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a neck injury suffered against the Cardinals in week 10.
