Knocking on the Pro Bowl door

#  Baltimore Ravens G Ben Grubbs: The AFC guard spot is wide open as far as the Pro Bowl is concerned. Nine-time AFC Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca was cut and moved to the Arizona Cardinals. Patriots jerseys guard Logan Mankins could be a holdout because he's not happy with his contract offer. That puts San Diego Chargers three-time Pro Bowler Kris Dielman at the head of the class and moves everybody else up. Grubbs was a first alternate last season and the Ravens' line projects to be even better with Michael Oher moving to left tackle.

# Tennessee Titans FB Ahmard Hall: Le'Ron McClain has had a stranglehold on the AFC fullback spot for the past two seasons because of his blocking and his ability to run as a big back. Still, it's going to be hard for McClain to hold off Hall, who's the blocking back for 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson jersey. Hall was the first alternate last season. As long as Johnson doesn't hold out, Hall should get his first shot at the Pro Bowl.

# San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree: The NFC wide receiver race had the biggest turnover last season. Four first-time Pro Bowlers made it -- Miles Austin of the Cowboys, DeSean Jackson of the Eagles, Sidney Rice of the Vikings and Steve Smith of the Giants. Crabtree is the next NFC receiver ready to break out. Crabtree held out into the regular season last year and had to learn the offense and sync up with Alex Smith as the season progressed. Despite those obstacles, he caught 48 passes in 11 games. All Smith has to do is get Crabtree five or six completions a game to put him in the Pro Bowl mix.

# Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco: OK, I'm going to again put myself in the line of fire for putting Flacco among the elite quarterbacks in the league. Calm down and follow my logic for a second. The Ravens have a great chance of winning the AFC North this year, which would be Flacco's third playoff run. Plus, other quarterbacks might pull out. Don't forget, the three quarterbacks who played for the AFC in the last season's Pro Bowl were Matt Schaub, Vince Young and David Garrard. Flacco could win that race.

# Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack or Tennessee Titans center Eugene Amano: The AFC is looking for the next young center to step up. Nick Mangold of the Jets is considered to be at the top of the class, but Amano might be the next in line. The Titans jerseys nominated Amano by giving him a five-year, $26.25 million contract on a very talented line. Mack was the Browns' first-round choice in 2009 and could also be poised to emerge.