Brian Costello

Brian Costello

NFL

Wilkerson, Folk deserve Pro Bowl — but it won’t be easy

The Pro Bowl rosters will be announced Friday. Will any Jets make it?

In my view, two Jets are deserving of the trip to Hawaii — defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and kicker Nick Folk. The format has changed this year, so it is no longer divided by conference. The best players from the entire NFL will be picked and then divided up by a draft, not by conference.

Wilkerson should make it, but it might not be easy. The third-year pro has 10 ½ sacks to lead the Jets this year and has been the leader of a defense that is third against the run. The problem for Wilkerson is his position is loaded with talented players, some who have more sacks than him.

Wilkerson plays a hybrid end/tackle role in Rex Ryan’s defense. Sometimes he’s even lined up over the center. But he is grouped with 4-3 defensive ends, some of whom are solely end rushers who have better sack numbers.

Six defensive ends will be chosen. Wilkerson’s top competition is: Houston’s J.J. Watt, St. Louis’ Robert Quinn, Arizona’s Calais Campbell, Miami’s Cameron Wake and New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan.

It’s going to be much tougher for Folk to make it to Hawaii. He has been the Jets’ most reliable player this season. He has made 31 of 33 field goal attempts this season and booted game-winners three times for the Jets this season. The problem for Folk is it’s been a good year for kickers. Denver’s Matt Prater and Baltimore’s Justin Tucker are the favorites to go.

Wilkerson’s and Folk’s pure statistics don’t speak to how important they have been for the Jets this year. Anyone who has watched every Jets game knows the margin of error was slim for this team this season. Wilkerson and Folk were two guys the Jets could always count on and they are both a huge reason the team has seven wins.