The NFL today announced that fullback Patrick DiMarco and cornerback Desmond Trufant have been named to the 2016 Pro Bowl roster.
DiMarco, a four-year veteran, has earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. He is also the first Falcons' fullback to go to the Pro Bowl since Ovie Mughelli was selected in 2010. DiMarco finished the season as Pro Football Focus' top rated fullback – 14.0 ranking, no other fullback had a rating over seven.
DiMarco finished the season with 13 receptions for 110 yards. His 13 receptions ranked fourth among fullbacks in the NFL this season, and the second best mark in the NFC. In Week 11 versus the Indianapolis Colts, DiMarco recorded his first receiving touchdown of the season to give the Falcons their first touchdown of the game. He followed that up with his second touchdown later in the first half to post the first multi-touchdown game of his career. According to True Media, he was one of five running backs – two full backs – to have two or more receiving touchdowns in a single game this season. Since 1992, he's the 13th fullback with two receiving touchdowns in a game – the second Falcon (Justin Griffith, 2006).
In his third year in the NFL, Trufant has earned his first career Pro Bowl selection. This season, Trufant was on a mission to prove to everyone across the NFL that he is one of the top cornerbacks in the League. According to Pro Football Focus, Trufant was only targeted 56 times this season, which was an NFL low among cornerbacks who played at least 75-percent of their team's defensive snaps. Trufant also only allowed 32 receptions, which was the third lowest total among cornerbacks who played at least 75-percent of their team's defensive snaps.
Trufant finished the season with 42 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, one interception, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. In Week 2 against the New York Giants, he was the only player in the NFL to play more than 50 snaps and not be thrown at the entire game, according to Pro Football Focus. In Week 7 versus the Tennessee Titans, Trufant was targeted twice and only gave up one reception for six yards. In Week 14 versus the Carolina Panthers, he was targeted twice, but did not allow a reception in 64 total snaps (32 pass coverage situations).
DiMarco and Trufant will join running back Devonta Freeman and wide receiver Julio Jones who were named to the 2016 Pro Bowl roster in December. Freeman will be one of the four active captains for the Pro Bowl this season. He will be paired with Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. The 2016 Pro Bowl presented by USAA will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2016 and televised live on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET from Aloha Stadium in Hawaii.
