2018 Pro Bowl Lineup Overview
The 2018 Pro Bowl presented an unusual format and notable storylines in the league. The game featured a non-contact flag football variant and separate roster selections by fans, players, and coaches. This overview breaks down how players were chosen, highlights key position groups, and examines the broader context of the 2018 edition. The selections reflect both performance and the evolving approach to the Pro Bowl as an event. Below is a detailed breakdown of the AFC and NFC rosters, coaching staffs, and notable omissions.
AFC Roster Selections
Offensive Starters
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Selected by fan vote |
| RB | Le’Veon Bell | Pittsburgh Steelers | Selected by fan vote |
| RB | Melvin Gordon | Los Angeles Chargers | Selected by fan vote |
| WR | Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh Steelers | Selected by fan vote |
| WR | Tyreek Hill | Kansas City Chiefs | Selected by fan vote |
| TE | Rob Gronkowski | New England Patriots | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Quenton Nelson | Indianapolis Colts | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Laremy Tunsil | Houston Texans | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Joe Thuney | Kansas City Chiefs | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Andrus Peat | New Orleans Saints | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Russell Okung | Los Angeles Chargers | Selected by fan vote |
Defensive Starters
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Jason Pierre-Paul | New York Jets | Selected by fan vote |
| DE | Calais Campbell | Baltimore Ravens | Selected by fan vote |
| DT | Geno Atkins | Cincinnati Bengals | Selected by fan vote |
| DT | Danny Shelton | Cleveland Browns | Selected by fan vote |
| OLB | Von Miller | Denver Broncos | Selected by fan vote |
| OLB | Tamba Hali | Kansas City Chiefs | Selected by fan vote |
| ILB | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders | Selected by fan vote |
| ILB | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers | Selected by fan vote |
| CB | Stephon Gilmore | New England Patriots | Selected by fan vote |
| CB | Xavien Howard | Miami Dolphins | Selected by fan vote |
| S | Harrison Smith | Minnesota Vikings | Selected by fan vote |
| S | Eric Berry | Kansas City Chiefs | Selected by fan vote |
Special Teams and Coaching
Special teams contributors and coaching staff for the AFC were selected by players and coaches. The AFC was coached by Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, with player captains including Tom Brady and Von Miller. Notable special teams performers filled roster spots based on performance and availability.
NFC Roster Selections
Offensive Starters
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | Selected by fan vote |
| RB | Todd Gurley | Los Angeles Rams | Selected by fan vote |
| RB | Alfred Morris | Washington Redskins | Selected by fan vote |
| WR | Julio Jones | Atlanta Falcons | Selected by fan vote |
| WR | Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | Selected by fan vote |
| TE | Gerald Everett | Los Angeles Rams | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Andrew Whitworth | Los Angeles Rams | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Lane Johnson | Philadelphia Eagles | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Alex Mack | Cleveland Browns | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Richie Incognito | Buffalo Bills | Selected by fan vote |
| OL | Jordan Gay | Buffalo Bills | Selected by fan vote |
Defensive Starters
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Robert Quinn | Washington Redskins | Selected by fan vote |
| DE | Leonard Floyd | Chicago Bears | Selected by fan vote |
| DT | Aaron Donald | Pittsburgh Steelers | Selected by fan vote |
| DT | John Atkins | Detroit Lions | Selected by fan vote |
| OLB | Chandler Jones | Arizona Cardinals | Selected by fan vote |
| OLB | Matthew Judon | Cincinnati Bengals | Selected by fan vote |
| ILB | Luke Kuechly | Selected by fan vote | |
| ILB | Nick Vigil | Kansas City Chiefs | Selected by fan vote |
| CB | Marlon Humphrey | Baltimore Ravens | Selected by fan vote |
| CB | Xavien Howard | Miami Dolphins | Selected by fan vote |
| S | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders | Selected by fan vote |
| S | Deone Bucannon | Washington Redskins | Selected by fan vote |
Special Teams and Coaching
The NFC coaching staff was led by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Player captains for the NFC included Drew Brees and selected defensive leaders. NFC special teams featured Return Specialist, Kicker, and Punter selections chosen by players and coaches.
Notable Storylines and Context
The 2018 Pro Bowl was the last under the traditional AFC-NFC format before the league moved to conference championship game-style rosters in subsequent seasons. The game introduced a non-contact flag football format, which influenced roster construction and player availability. Several high-profile players dealt with injuries during the season, affecting selections and participation. The event served as both an all-star showcase and a reflection of the league’s evolving all-star game strategy.
Roster Participation and Game Details
Player participation in the 2018 Pro Bowl was strong despite the non-contact format, though some opted out due to injury or rest. The game was held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and featured fan voting that heavily influenced the final roster. Below is a concise summary of key event details in a structured format.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | January 28, 2018 | Official NFL release |
| Venue | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL | Official NFL release |
| Format | Flag football, non-contact | Official NFL announcement |
| Winning Conference | AFC | |
| MVP | Eric Berry (S, Kansas City Chiefs) | Official NFL release |
Summary of 2018 Pro Bowl Roster Picks
The 2018 Pro Bowl featured a mix of veteran presence and emerging talent, selected through a combination of fan, player, and coach voting. The AFC and NFC fielded strong core groups on both sides of the ball, with several future Hall of Fame candidates and impactful contributors. The season’s context, including injuries and preparation for the upcoming merger-style format, shaped final decisions. The game concluded with an AFC victory and Eric Berry earning MVP honors in a competitive flag football environment.
Conclusion and Legacy
The 2018 Pro Bowl represents a transitional moment for the league’s all-star game, balancing fan engagement with player safety and competitive storytelling. The roster selections highlight the depth of talent in the league and the evolving nature of the Pro Bowl as a marquee event. This overview provides a durable reference for understanding the 2018 edition and its role in the broader history of the game.