Broncos Roundtable: Who will be Denver's next Pro Bowler?

DENVER — Christmas came four days early for Bradley Chubb and Justin Simmons as they were both selected to their first Pro Bowl on Monday night.

It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if this was the first of many for both of the talented young defensive players. But who will be the Broncos’ next Pro Bowler?

The DNVR Broncos Crew weighs in and gives their final score predictions for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

WHO WILL BE THE BRONCOS’ NEXT PRO BOWLER?

Zac

Noah Fant — After having the best rookie season for a tight end in Broncos’ history in 2019, Denver’s former first-round pick has quietly put together an even better second year in the NFL.

Despite missing a game, Fant is on pace for 646 receiving yards and 60 receptions, even with being in one of the league’s worst statistical passing offenses.

As long as the quarterback play improves and is consistent, 2021 will be a big-time breakout year for Fant. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound tight end has all of the physical tools to be one of the NFL’s best, including a 4.5 40-yard dash.

Additionally, especially in 2020, Fant has proven he is a reliable receiver as he has a 67 percent catch rate, which is the second-best on the team for non-running backs. Finally, and most importantly, Fant has flashed greatness on many occasions.

The AFC’s two Pro Bowl tight ends in 2020 are Travis Kelce and Darren Waller. If Fant had as many targets, i.e., opportunities, as Kelce and Waller this year, he would have the third-most receptions (81) and the third-most receiving yards (847) among all tight ends in the NFL entering Week 16.

If Fant is given the opportunities next year, he will have a great chance to be Denver’s next Pro Bowler.

Mase

Garett Bolles — Truth is, Bolles should have been a Pro Bowler this year. Just like Justin Simmons should have been in the Pro Bowl last year, and like Ryan Clady should have been during his 2008 rookie season. But safety and offensive line are two position groups where reputation has an outsized impact on selection, and this leads to delayed recognition.

Everything about Bolles’ performance bellows Pro Bowler. No sacks allowed, according to the data compiled by Pro Football Focus. Dominant work in the run game, particularly in space, to create extra room for Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay. Improved technique that has allowed him to trust his athleticism and not have to rely on the grabbing that led to his passel of penalties over his first three seasons.

Simmons, Clady and even all-time Broncos greats of prior eras such as Steve Atwater and Tom Nalen had to wait a year after reaching elite status before a Pro Bowl selection landed on their doorsteps — and Atwater and Nalen emerged for Broncos teams that won 11 or more games, so Bolles’ snub is not simply a result of playing on a losing team.

They waited while remaining at their high level, and eventually got the reward. Expect the same for Bolles.

Ryan

Bryce Callahan — If he has stayed healthy this year, Callahan very well may have been a Pro Bowler this year. Of course, that will always be the big question will Callahan, “Can he stay healthy,” but if he can, Callahan is the type of player who can get himself to Orlando.

This season, Callahan boasted an 84.1 grade from Pro Football Focus, which’s the third-highest grade in the entire NFL and second in the AFC, behind only Xavien Howard of the Dolphins.

Callahan is very capable of elite play if he can stay out there, and if he does, he’s my pick for a new Bronco in the Pro Bowl next season.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTIONS AT CHARGERS (-3.5)

Zac

Chargers 31, Broncos 24 — For a second-consecutive week, Vic Fangio’s defense faces a brutal matchup. Slowing down Justin Herbert is a tall task for any team, but it will be especially difficult for the Broncos with their depleted cornerback room.

The first time the two teams met in Week 8, Herbert threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns against a Fangio defense that had Bryce Callahan and A.J. Bouye. The Broncos will be without their top two cornerbacks on Sunday.

In Week 15, Josh Allen torched Denver’s depleted pass defense as he dropped 359 yards through the air. With nearly identical season statistics as Allen, there’s no reason Herbert won’t be able to have a similar air attack against Denver this week.

The pressure will be on Drew Lock’s shoulders to keep up with the sixth-overall pick. Lock delivered the first time the two teams met, but it will be just too tough of a task on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Mase

Chargers 35, Broncos 32 — This game screams, “Shootout.”

Denver should be able to accumulate points on the Chargers — even though Los Angeles defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is unlikely to re-emphasize prevent coverages as he did in the fourth quarter prior to Denver’s game-winning drive on Nov. 1. The absence of defensive end Joey Bosa will make life easier; he will miss Sunday’s game due to a concussion and a shin injury.

But the question that could decide this game is whether the Broncos defense will have enough to keep Herbert and the Chargers from stacking scores. If Bradley Chubb’s ankle injury lands him on the game-day inactive list, the Broncos could be at a defense’s deadly intersection: one where they will struggle to both rush and cover.

Denver’s offense could make its last outing of the 2020 calendar year its most productive. Lock should be able to find his groove much earlier than he did in Week 8. Running back Melvin Gordon — who will not lack motivation going against his former team — could be in position for a monster game.

But it might not be enough.

Ryan

Broncos 30, Chargers 27 — We’ve reached the ever-so-fun part of the season where it’s probably better for the Broncos long term if they lose. You know what that means? They’ll probably win.

It doesn’t make much sense considering the Broncos will be without their three top corners as well as Bradley Chubb going up against a quarterback in Justin Herbert who has racked up big yardage in games like this all year, but in the end, the Chargers are going to Charger, and the Broncos are going to Bronco.

That’s all I’ve got.