With two weeks to go, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is the early leader in Pro Bowl voting.
According to a list released Monday by the NFL, Maye has received a league-high 31,452 fan votes. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (27,162), Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons (25,165), Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (25,134), and Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (24,951) round out the top five.
Fans have until Dec. 15 to vote. Those results are just one factor in determining which players will be named to the Pro Bowl, as the opinions of coaches and players are also taken into consideration.
The final roster will be announced in early January.
Last season, core special teamer Brenden Schooler was the lone Patriot named to the Pro Bowl. Maye, coming off his promising rookie season, still participated as part of the “Passing the Test” event in the skills competition.
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The NFL announced earlier this year that the Pro Bowl will be integrated into the mid-week festivities leading up to the Super Bowl. The event, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, will feature a 7-on-7 flag football game in addition to a skills competition.
The remaining top vote-getters in the league’s list were 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (24,636), Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (24,335), Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (23,831), Bills quarterback Josh Allen (23,238), and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (22,982).
In addition to Maye, other Patriots that could be in line for their first Pro Bowl nods are cornerback Christian Gonzalez and return specialist Marcus Jones.
The Patriots were without some of their best trench players on both sides of the ball Monday.
Already missing defensive tackle Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga (chest) was also inactive for the first time this season. In addition, starting left guard Jared Wilson (ankle) joined left tackle Will Campbell (knee), who was placed on injured reserve this week.
One bit of good news up front? Garrett Bradbury, who was questionable with an illness, got the start for at center.
Other inactives were defensive back/special teamer Schooler, who sustained an ankle injury in last week’s win over the Bengals, as well as outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson, offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, and tight end C.J. Dippre. Tommy DeVito was the third/emergency quarterback.
