Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun projected to earn Pro Bowl nod in 2022

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t been very good over the last three years and that has been reflected in the scarcity of players they’ve sent to the Pro Bowl in that span. On the bright side, there are several players on their roster that could be selected in 2022 and one of them is linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, at least according to Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report.

Wharton recently drew up a list of NFL players that could earn their first Pro Bowl selection in 2022 and Oluokun made the cut. Wharton notes that the linebacker led the league in tackles last year and has previously played at a Pro Bowl level.

"A 2918 sixth-round pick, Foyesade Oluokun was an incredible find by the Atlanta Falcons. He had three seasons with 91 or more tackles, including Pro Bowl-caliber years in 2020 and 2021. To put his league-leading 192 tackles from last year in perspective, they were the seventh-most tackles in a season ever. Oluokun cashed in with the Jacksonville Jauars as they spent heavily in free agency. Turning 27 this summer, he’ll make $45 million over the next three seasons. He’ll be well worth his salary if he can come anywhere near the production he amassed on a much worse defense over the last two years."

Not only can Oluokun tackle but he can create big plays as well. Over the last two years, he’s forced five fumbles, logged the same amount of interceptions, and had 10 passes defensed. The Jaguars had a hard time creating turnovers last season and ranked 32nd in the league with nine. The former Atlanta Falcon could help them generate a few more this upcoming season.

The other players Wharton mention as potential Pro Bowl picks in 2022 are quarterback Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Odafe Oweh (Baltimore Ravens), Antonio Gibson (Washinton Commanders), De’Vondre Campbell (Green Bay Packers), A.J. Terrell (Atlanta Falcons), Jordan Poyer (Buffalo Bills), and Amani Oruwariye (Detroit Lions).

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As Wharton noted in his article, the competition to make the Pro Bowl as an inside linebacker in the AFC isn’t as tough as it is in the NFC. Darious Leonard has been selected in three of the last four years but other than him, there isn’t a surefire pick, which could work in Oluokun’s favor.

Denzel Perryman made the Pro Bowl last year but he’s only earned the designation once in his seven-year career. Another player that could be in the race is Tremaine Edmunds, who was selected in 2019 and 2020 but was omitted in 2021.

One thing that could strengthen Oluokun’s case is that he’s been playing well over the last two years and as long as he doesn’t experience a dropoff in production, he will have a chance to earn the nod. Another thing that could help him or any Jaguars players is winning games. The more wins they rack up, the more attention they’ll get from those who cast a Pro Bowl ballot.

Not long ago, wide receiver Christian Kirk was named a potential Pro Bowl pick in 2022. While he might have a harder time making the cut than Oluokun, it’s encouraging to see Jaguars players getting consideration for the honor ahead of the regular season.