Early numbers have come out in the NFL’s Pro Bowl voting and the results for the Bucs are…not necessarily good.

Of the 20 positions eligible to be voted for in the Pro Bowl, the Bucs only had four different players rank in the top 10 and with nobody ranked better than third. The players listed were strong safety Tykee Smith (3), cornerback Jamel Dean (3), offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (3) and rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (6).

Bucs Have New Names In Pro Bowl Consideration

While it might be frustrating that other notable Bucs names aren’t found anywhere on the list, it’s good to see some newcomers for Tampa Bay get recognition. Tristan Wirfs has tons of accolades in the league and has made numerous Pro Bowls, but this is the closest that Jamel Dean has been on this list in his seven-year career. Dean leads the Bucs with three interceptions, including a pick-six and has been the best corner on the team.

Tykee Smith is a second-year player and Emeka Egbuka is a rookie, so it’s great to see that Tampa Bay has young players that are getting attention from a national outlook. Doing a little of everything for the defense, Smith leads the team with 87 combined tackles and two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, while also having two sacks on the year.

Bucs SS Tykee Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Egbuka leads the Bucs in all of the important receiver categories with 52 catches for 791 yards and six touchdowns. He is 14th in the league in yards and tied for 11th in touchdowns. Offensive Rookie of the Year honors are still up for grabs between Egbuka and Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. They’re very close statistically, with McMillan slightly ahead of Egbuka at the moment with 57 catches, 826 yards and six touchdowns, but has played in one more game with Carolina’s bye coming up this week.

Tampa Bay’s rookie receiver would need six catches and 36 yards to surpass McMillan looking at a 13-game comparison. Egbuka is also well ahead in the Pro Bowl voting, as McMillan isn’t even listed. It might be tough for Egbuka to get a Pro Bowl nod, but Wirfs, Dean and Smith all have a good chance.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

Should Any Other Bucs Players Be In The Top 10 Of The Voting?

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that there aren’t more Bucs at least in the top 10 when it comes to Pro Bowl voting. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Bucky Irving have all been injured for the majority of the season, so it wouldn’t make sense for them to be eligible. Right tackle Luke Goedeke has missed too much time to be considered, and the offensive line has had several players move around. No Tampa Bay tight end has played at a level anywhere close to getting votes, either.

If there were to be some big surprises it’s Baker Mayfield on offense along with Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David on the defensive side. I’m not saying any of these players are guarantees to get in, but the fact that Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has the eighth spot ahead of Mayfield is alarming. Dart has played 10 games and has just two wins. Mayfield has certainly fell off from his MVP level play earlier in the year, but he’s played well enough to be top 10 in voting.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

We’ve learned throughout the years with the Pro Bowl that much of it is players getting in on reputation over actual production. That’s why it’s a surprise that Lavonte David isn’t in the top 10. Is he playing at a Pro Bowl level? No, but seeing Bobby Wagner in there and not David while Wagner’s team is not in playoff contention is frustrating.

Nose tackle Vita Vea has made two Pro Bowls, including last season. Yet his sack numbers have dropped more this year, recording just 3.5 QB captures. Free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. not being in the top 10 does come as a surprise since he’s had a bounce back season. The former All-Pro has recorded 63 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and six pass breakups. He’s been healthier and it’s led to better play. Given all the struggles the Bucs defense has had, it would be even worse without him.

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

It’s likely that the four Bucs on the top 10 list have a better chance of moving up their rankings than the other named even getting on. There’s still a little over a week for fans to vote. Click the link here to do so.