The Broncos’ defense will be well represented in Hawaii.

Cornerback Champ Bailey, linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil were voted to the Pro Bowl, with the announcement made Tuesday. Bailey and Miller made the AFC team as starters and Dumervil as a reserve.

Having three defensive selections is impressive considering the Broncos had the NFL’s worst defense a year ago, with only Bailey making the trip to Hawaii — as an alternate. Denver ranks No. 23 in total defense this season but is tied for seventh in sacks with 40. Miller and Dumervil account for 21

of that total.

“I think it’s promising. It’s a good way to say, ‘OK, we’ve got some talent, and obviously we’ve got more talent around the three of us,’ ” Bailey said Tuesday night on a conference call. “It says a lot about what we’ve been able to do lately, and where we go from here is up to us.”

The Broncos could have more players joining that trio in Honolulu. They have three first alternates in running back Willis McGahee, offensive tackle Ryan Clady and safety Brian Dawkins, and three second alternates in quarterback Tim Tebow, punter Britton Colquitt and place-kicker Matt Prater. Tebow might well make the trip, because quarterbacks often back out of the game because of injuries or have a scheduling conflict should their team reach the Super Bowl.

Players were selected based on voting by fans, players and coaches, with each weighing one-third toward the overall selection.

Tuesday’s Pro Bowl selections were special to Bailey, Miller and Dumervil, but for different reasons. For Bailey, it is his 11th selection, moving him into a second-place tie for the most in NFL history.

“What makes it special to me now is I’m in my 13th year, and you don’t see guys going to the Pro Bowl this late in their career,” Bailey said. “When you’ve got your peers saying you’re one of the best still, that means a lot.”

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, becomes just the second Bronco to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie, joining kicker David Treadwell, who made the team in 1989. He is one of three rookies to make the Pro Bowl this year, along with Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green (No. 4 overall) and Arizona cornerback/punt returner Patrick Peterson (No. 5 overall).

“I never really thought about it,” Miller said of his prospects of making the Pro Bowl this year. “To me, the most important thing is winning games, and if you win games, all the other stuff will come.”

Dumervil made his first Pro Bowl in 2009 after leading the NFL in sacks. But after missing all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle and struggling through shoulder and ankle injuries early this season, it took until the second half of the season for Dumervil to return to an elite level. All of his 9½ sacks have come in the past eight games.

“It was a testament to finishing strong,” Dumervil said. “It’s a blessing to go through all that and still be here to help give my team a chance to reach the playoffs, and then to achieve this personal goal, it’s huge.”

Tebow finished fifth in quarterback voting, behind Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and first-alternate Andy Dalton. If two of those players can’t go to Hawaii for whatever reason, Tebow — who finished third in fan voting — would make the team.

“He deserves it,” Miller said. “He should be starting, if it were up to me.”

Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com

