2018 Pro Bowl snubs: Alex Smith, Mitchell Schwartz have reasons to be upset
By Matt Conner
Alex Smith
Alex Smith has made two Pro Bowls already in the past, in 2013, his first season with the Chiefs, and just last year in 2016. If he made it for his performance in those years, then how in the world can the NFL exclude him from the proceedings when he’s having the sort of year he’s enjoying in 2017?
Smith is setting career highs in just about every category in 2017 and was in the MVP conversation through the first half of the year. While his play slipped at midseason, there’s still no doubt that he’s having one of the best overall seasons at quarterback in the NFL this year.
Smith is the highest rated passer in the NFL right now at 105.4 and he’s fifth in total touchdown passes with 25. He’s sixth in passing yards at 3,738 and fourth in yards per pass attempt at 8.0, dispelling the silly myth that he lacks the arm strength to really move the chains.
This year, Smith is moving the ball down the field better than anyone else in the NFL. Per Pro Football Focus, “Smith sees the league’s highest passer rating on deep passes (20-plus yards in the air) at 130.4, nearly 10.0 points higher than the next.”
Even more impressive is that Smith only has 5 interceptions thrown this season, showing he’s able to maintain his accuracy even as he’s taking more and more chances down the field. He’s also shown his athleticism this year with 342 rushing yards.