Last month, it was revealed that defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward will represent the Cleveland Browns in the 2019 Pro Bowl.
As it turns out, they'll have company.
On Thursday, the Browns announced that Joel Bitonio has been selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl, replacing Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro. Initially named a first-team alternate, Bitonio's Pro Bowl selection marks the first of his five-year NFL career.
“I am so honored to be able to represent the city of Cleveland and all the great Browns fans at the Pro Bowl,” Bitonio said in a press release. “It’s good to be recognized by the players, coaches and fans for your hard work. What’s really cool, though, is that I can share this honor with Myles and Denzel, but I wish all our offensive linemen could come too because it’s a group effort.”
A second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection, Bitonio started all 16 games for the Browns this past season. In that span, he helped pave the way for Nick Chubb's franchise rookie rushing record 996-yard season, in addition to blocking for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw a NFL rookie record 30 touchdown passes.
According to STATS, Bitonio allowed just one sack and only committed three penalties over the course of the entire 2018 campaign. Advanced analytics site Pro Football Focus ranked the Nevada product as its No. 5 overall guard for the season and named him to its All-Pro team.
"After a preseason shakeup almost saw him slotted to start at left tackle, Bitonio kicked back into to his normal spot and had a career year," the site wrote of Bitonio, who along with linebacker Christian Kirksey is the longest-tenured member of the Browns roster. "He didn’t allow a sack or a hit until Week 15, and that would be the only one he allowed all season."
The 2019 Pro Bowl is scheduled to take place in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 27.