Several Arizona Cardinals enjoying Pro Bowl caliber seasons

Despite the squad’s losing record, the Arizona Cardinals have a number of players who could warrant Pro Bowl consideration

Let’s face it, pointing out positives about the 2019 Arizona Cardinals is not an easy thing to do. There has certainly been improvement on the offensive side of the ball, but the club’s defense has been a disaster. The Cards have won just three times in 11 tries, and are currently riding a four-game losing streak.

Despite the lack of success, there are several Cardinals who have been outstanding for the team this fall. Individuals who have a legitimate shot at representing the organization in this year’s Pro Bowl. In fact, there are five Arizona players who immediately come to mind when the subject is brought up among the masses.

For quite some time now, sack specialist Chandler Jones has been one of the NFL’s most underrated defenders. Through 12 weeks, the 29-year old has registered a league-leading 12.5 sacks, and has contributed 31 tackles, five forced fumbles and 15 quarterback hits as well. Jones has been a disruptive force for the Cards, and fully deserves a Pro Bowl invitation for his performance this season.

Jordan Hicks, a free agent pickup of the Cardinals this past offseason, is pro football’s leading tackler thus far in ’19. The former Philadelphia Eagle has racked up 111 stops, three interceptions, six passes defensed and 1.5 sacks in 11 appearances. Hicks has been worth every penny of the four-year, $36 million contract that Arizona handed him this past March.

Budda Baker, like Hicks, has also been a tackling machine for the Cards. The safety has tallied 98 stops, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 outings. Back in 2017, Baker’s spectacular special teams play got him voted to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Not one, but two Cardinals special teamers have a chance to be playing in the upcoming all-star contest. Placekicker Zane Gonzalez has been successful on 26 of 29 field goal attempts and 20 of 21 extra points. Andy Lee, at the current moment, is the NFL’s number two ranked punter with a 48.8 average.

What a difference a year makes. In 2018, cornerback Patrick Peterson was Arizona’s lone Pro Bowl participant. Having upwards of five Cardinals headed to Orlando, Florida in January would be quite an impressive feat for the franchise.