Last season we saw two players from the NY Giants make the Pro Bowl, with that being Dexter Lawrence and Saquon Barkley. However, entering the 2023 season, there is a great chance we see much more than just two players earn the honor.
Not only did the Giants gain tons of talent, but their recognition amongst the fans who are voting will be much higher. This lack of recognition last season is what led to certain Giants getting snubbed from the games. After what will likely be back-to-back successful seasons, though, it will be impossible to deny these guys from making the Pro Bowl:
5. EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
After an incredibly fun rookie year, Kayvon Thibodeaux enters his second NFL season with a chance to make the leap to stardom. The flashes Thibodeaux showcased last year gave us hope that he could go down as one of the best pass-rushers in Giants history, which is a tough thing to ask for of course.
Will Thibodeaux's play be worthy of a Pro Bowl selection? Who knows. However, the history of young pass-rushers to undeservingly make the game is almost funny. Players like Bradley Chubb and Chase Young have both made the game in the last three years while not having anywhere close to Pro Bowl-level seasons.
Not only does Thibodeaux have this factor going his way, but he also has a very good chance to play at a high enough level to actually be deserving of a selection. Thibodeaux had several moments last season where he looked like the best player on the Giants defense, which is saying a lot considering the talent their core has. Remember his game at Washington? Of course you do.
This is definitely the biggest long shot on our list, but we believe in Thibodeaux's potential and abilities. There are going to be few young edge-rushers in the league more exciting to watch than this guy.
4. TE Darren Waller
The entire case for Darren Waller to make his second career Pro Bowl this season depends on his ability to stay healthy. If Waller can remain healthy for the majority of the season, then we have few doubts that he will play at a high enough level to be a Pro Bowler.
In 2020, the last season in which Waller played all 16 games, he caught 107 passes for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. If he has numbers somewhat close to this in 2023, then he will be a sure-shot lock for the Pro Bowl.
Pairing Waller with this NY Giants offense seems like a match made in heaven. This team has been without a WR1 talent since Odell Beckham Jr. While Waller may not be your typical pass-catcher, he certainly puts up numbers like a top receiver in the NFL.
With Giants fans behind him and a hopefully healthy season, it almost seems certain that we see Waller make his return to the Pro Bowl. Regardless, his impact on the Giants' offense will be made known. He's got the potential to be a superstar for Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka.
3. RB Saquon Barkley
After a bounce-back season in 2022 in which he made his second career Pro Bowl, Saquon Barkley enters 2023 with a chip on his shoulder thanks in part to how poorly his contract negotiations have gone this offseason. Regardless, Barkley will be playing hard trying to earn the big-time paycheck he wants. This means we very well could get the best version of Barkley we've seen yet.
Last season, Barkley ran the ball 295 times for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns, making his second career Pro Bowl. Now, entering this year with a new-and-improved offensive line and pass game, the running lanes might be way more open for Barkley than they ever were before.
In previous seasons, teams would be able to stack the box against Barkley thanks to the Giants' weak pass game. Now, after acquiring some great pass-catchers this offseason, defenses likely won't be able to do this anymore. Not only will this have a drastic impact on Barkley's season, but it will be a massive boost to the Giants' offense overall.
Hopefully, with another successful season under his belt, Barkley and Joe Schoen can come together on a contract that will not only benefit him, but the team as well. All we know is that back-to-back Pro Bowls will make it hard to deny giving him his payday - who knows, maybe it could come this offseason before the July 17 deadline too.
2. OT Andrew Thomas
When we were talking about Giants who got snubbed from the Pro Bowl last season, we meant Andrew Thomas. Really, though, how on earth does a top three tackle in the entire NFL, let alone NFC, not make the Pro Bowl?
Trent Williams making the Pro Bowl over Thomas is one thing, as he has been by far the best tackle in the league over the last couple of years. However, there is a notable gap between Thomas and the rest of the tackles that made the game last season.
Entering 2023, though, it will likely be impossible to deny Thomas the recognition he deserves. Not only are his talents more known around the league now, but he is likely going to take another jump and potentially take Williams' spot as the best tackle in the NFL at just 24.
The way fans just completely ignored Thomas in Pro Bowl voting was disturbing to watch. We truly don't get how people don't recognize how talented of a player he is. Regardless, there won't be many ways to deny him this season. Hopefully we see Thomas make his name more known amongst common fans so he can finally make the Pro Bowl.
1. DT Dexter Lawrence
Not only was Dexter Lawrence the best player on the NY Giants last season, but he was arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL. After earning himself a massive extension this offseason, it's likely we see Lawrence in a Giants uniform for a very long time. In this period of time, the odds of Lawrence making tons of Pro Bowls are incredibly high.
Last season, Lawrence racked up 61 combined tackles, nine sacks, 63 total pressures, and two forced fumbles. All of these numbers were career highs and amongst some of the best in the league, so it's no surprise that Lawrence made both a Pro Bowl, as well as an All-Pro Second Team. The best part about all of this is that Lawrence is just 25 years old and is only going to get better as his career progresses.
There were few defensive linemen in all of football more exciting to watch than Lawrence last season. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he is also one of the best personalities in the league. The way he dominates the trenches and has fun doing so is just such a great thing to see.
Hopefully, we see a similar season in terms of production out of Lawrence. Keeping this level of play up alongside the additions Schoen made on defense could spell disaster for the opposing teams New York faces this season.
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