Mangold, Richardson, and Wilkerson Make PFF Pro Bowl Team

Pro Football Focus has named a Pro Bowl team, and three Jets made it. Nick Mangold and Sheldon Richardson are starters while Muhammad Wilkerson is a reserve.

Center

Starters: Nick Mangold (NYJ) and Corey Linsley (GB)
Reserves: Travis Frederick (DAL) and Rodney Hudson (KC)

Breakdown: Mangold is back to his best and Linsley stunned us with his consistency in his rookie year. Quite the impression for a guy who was only starting because of injury. Special nod to Max Unger who has playing lights out but had his playing time limited through injury.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Aaron Donald (SL), Gerald McCoy (TB), Sheldon Richardson (NYJ) and Fletcher Cox (PHI)
Reserves: Ndamukong Suh (DET), Muhammad Wilkerson (NYJ), Calais Campbell (ARZ) and Marcell Dareus (BUF)

Breakdown: Again we’ve taken some of the guys balloted as defensive ends and slotted them here, given how they’re used as interior defenders. No big surprises — all of these guys make enough plays that it would be harder not to notice them.

This season has been a return to the top for Mangold after a few less than stellar (by Mangold standards) seasons. Wilkerson had another good year. Richardson is the guy I really have interest in. He followed up an outstanding rookie year with an even better sophomore campaign.

As a rookie I felt like he relied upon his overwhelming athleticism and was wondering whether he could improve his technique to make the next step. This season I still feel like he relies upon his athleticism to make plays. I think the difference is that he has become a smarter player. I might take a guess it has to do with film study, but it seems like Richardson has developed a real feel for opponent blocking schemes and exactly where a crease will open up for him to explode through. He has grown as a pass rusher as a result, and I feel like there is still room for him to grow.