‘All-Pro Quality’ KC Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed Lands on Pro Bowl Snubs List

There's plenty of discourse surrounding why Kansas City's star CB didn't make his first career Pro Bowl this season.

On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Chiefs had five players selected for the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games and another five listed as alternates. While cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was on one of those lists, it wasn't the primary group. No member of the Kansas City secondary was named a Pro Bowler this season, much to the surprise of many.

Sneed, in particular, is a player who had a very strong argument for getting the nod. Naturally, not making it lands him in the group of those who were "snubbed." 

Taking to NFL.com on Wednesday, Around the NFL writer Kevin Patra ranked the top 10 players he felt "were worthy of Pro Bowl inclusion." Sneed slotted in at second on the list, with Patra using a bevy of statistics to support his case: 

Clearly, the voters and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to defensive backs. Perhaps most side with Ja'Marr Chase's assertion about the Chiefs secondary. But while you might be able to ding Sneed for all the penalties (17, per PFF), he is as physical as any corner in the NFL, and the results speak for themselves. The 26-year-old corner silences opponents. He's allowed 5-plus catches and 50-plus yards in a game just twice this season, per Next Gen Stats, and he's given up ZERO touchdowns in 462 coverage snaps. His -29.7 target EPA is third-best among all CBs in 2023. His play is not just Pro Bowl-worthy -- it's All-Pro quality.

Patra makes a strong point about Sneed's penalties, but it's safe to say that Kansas City will take those "cost of doing business" flags (as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo calls them). The upside is tremendous, as the fourth-year corner has locked up numerous top wide receivers. Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and more can all attest to that. Sneed hasn't given up a single touchdown in coverage this year and boasts an impressive 56.2 passer rating when targeted. Posting plenty of career-best marks, the 26-year-old certainly is producing at a Pro Bowl level.

Combining coverage stats, matchup difficulty, playing multiple nationally televised games and his aggressiveness as a tackler, it's easy to see why folks believe Sneed is a Pro Bowler. His consistency is a major reason why the Chiefs' defense ascended to one of the NFL's best this year. As he prepares for a playoff run and free agency in the spring, it's imprudent to imply that his lack of a Pro Bowl accolade will factor into negotiations. Not making it is still unfortunate, though. Perhaps an All-Pro berth will balance out the tough break for Kansas City's former fourth-round pick.

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