The NFL announced its 2016 Pro Bowl selections Tuesday, and the Oakland Raiders paced all teams with seven selections.
Five of those selections came on offense as quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, tackle Donald Penn, guard Kelechi Osemele and center Rodney Hudson were all chosen to represent the AFC.
Then two defensive players, defensive end Khalil Mack and safety Reggie Nelson were also named to the AFC roster for the game that will be played Jan. 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Carr, who will be playing in his second Pro Bowl, joins Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger as the AFC’s quarterbacks. Carr ranks ninth in the league with 3,705 passing yards to go along with 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions while completing 63.5 percent of his passes.
The only starter who has been sacked less than Carr is Brady, and he has played four less games. Carr has been sacked just 15 times on the season, and that is thanks in part to Penn, Osemele and Hudson. This is Penn’s second Pro Bowl appearance, and the first for both Osemele and Hudson.
His top receiver, Cooper, is also going to his second Pro Bowl in just his second season. He ranks seventh in the NFL with 1,038 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Mack, who is also playing in his second Pro Bowl, ranks fifth in the NFL with 11 sacks and is tied for second with five forced fumbles. He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for the month of November in which he recorded at least one sack in every game he played.
Nelson has been the Raiders anchor in the secondary, leading the team with four interceptions and ranking third with 60 tackles on the season. Like many of his others teammates this is also his second Pro Bowl.
Cooper, Penn, Osewele, Hudson and Mack were all named starters for the game, while Carr and Nelson are reserves.
