SELECTIONS:

Tony Romo, QB, 4th Pro Bowl Selection: Romo has thrown for more yards in a season, but he has never been more efficient, as despite being 23rd in pass attempts, he is fifth in touchdown passes with 32. He leads the NFL in quarterback rating and completion percentage. His last Pro Bowl appearance came in 2009, which coincides with the Cowboys' most recent playoff appearance.

Who he beat out: Seattle’s Russell Wilson, New Orleans’ Drew Brees and San Diego’s Philip Rivers deserved notice, but they didn’t have a better season than Romo.

Dez Bryant, WR, 2nd Pro Bowl Selection: He became the first Cowboys’ wide receiver to post three straight 1,000-yard seasons since Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, and he leads the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. He needs one more touchdown to equal the club mark for TD receptions in a season set by Terrell Owens in 2007. He is 10th in catches (84) and ninth in yards (1,221) but he has saved his best for big moments.

Who he beat out: Detroit’s Golden Tate and Denver’s Emmanuel Sanders had more catches and yards than Bryant, but would any team take either over Bryant?

DeMarco Murray, 2nd Pro Bowl Selection: He was added to the Pro Bowl last year as an injury replacement, but there was no denying his spot this year. He leads the NFL in rushing with 1,745 yards and needs 29 yards Sunday to break Emmitt Smith’s single-season team record. He opened the season with eight straight 100-yard games, an NFL record, and has 11 100-yard games on the season. He has career highs in carries (373), yards, receptions (54) and touchdowns (12). He also displayed his toughness last week, playing six days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left hand.

Who he beat out: As the NFL’s leading rusher, he should have beaten out every running back in the league.

Tyron Smith, OT, 2nd Pro Bowl Selection: The Cowboys signed him to a $100 million contract extension in August, showing just how important he is to the club. To many he is considered the best tackle in the NFL, but he did have a few blips that were not as apparent last season, when he made the Pro Bowl for the first time. He might be the most athletic offensive lineman in the NFL today. The best part for the Cowboys is that he just turned 24 on Dec. 12. He could be in the early stages of a long Pro Bowl run.

Who he beat out: Like Murray, he shouldn’t have had to beat any tackle out. Just ask the scouts, general managers and personnel directors.

Travis Frederick, C, 1st Pro Bowl Selection: Some cringed when the Cowboys chose him with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2013 draft, but he has been a dominant starter since Day 1 and quickly became one of the leaders on offense. He plays with great leverage and strength and is more athletic than people realize. His smarts, however, are what set him apart from most centers. He does not make the same mistake twice. The last Cowboys’ center to make the Pro Bowl was Andre Gurode in 2010.

Who he beat out: Green Bay’s Corey Linsley did a great job as a late fill in and Seattle's Max Unger deserved consideration, but Frederick has been one of the best centers in the league all season.

Zack Martin, G, 1st Pro Bowl selection: He is the first rookie offensive lineman to be named to the Pro Bowl in franchise history. Jerry Jones might have wanted Johnny Manziel leading into the draft, but Martin solidified the offensive line. He started every game at tackle at Notre Dame, but made a smooth transition to guard as a rookie. He is the first Cowboys guard to make the Pro Bowl since Leonard Davis made the squad in 2009.

Who he beat out: If you want to argue about Philadelphia's Evan Mathis or Pittsburgh's David Decastro, then fine, but Martin might have the highest grades of any Cowboys linemen and two of them made the Pro Bowl.

SNUB

Jason Witten, TE, 9 Pro Bowls: His numbers are not as prolific as they have been in the past -- 60 catches, 654 yards, five touchdowns -- but his blocking has played a big part in the reason why Murray leads the NFL in rushing. Jason Garrett consistently calls him the best all-around tight end in the NFL.

Who he should have beaten out: Denver’s Julius Thomas has more touchdowns than Witten, but fewer catches and yards. If we’re talking total package, Witten makes it.