Tag: all-pro teams

The Associated Press on Friday announced the 2019 All-Pro teams. Three 49ers landed on the two squads that represent the NFL’s best players for the season. Tight end George Kittle was a first-team selection for the first time in his career. Cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner were both second-team choices.

Kittle probably should’ve been the first-team pick last year, but he settled for Second-Team in his second season. This year, his production saw a small dip, but his impact on the 13-3 49ers’ offense was undeniable. He is a monster as a blocker in the run game, and he still managed to post 85 receptions, 1,053 yards and five touchdowns despite missing two games with knee and ankle injuries.

There was a case that Kittle was the best tight end in the NFL a season ago, but Kansas City’s Travis Kelce was always going to get the nod over Kittle given his team’s success, and catching passes from breakout MVP Patrick Mahomes. This year it was evident that Kittle is among the most dominant individual players in the league, and his path to the First-Team All-Pro squad was clear from the first game of the season.

Sherman was another obvious All-Pro choice. This is his fourth All-Pro nod, and his first time on the second-team. The 31-year-old has blossomed back into elite form in his second year removed from an Achilles injury. All of his numbers, both traditional and advanced pointed to him being among the league’s best players at the position. Sherman posted 61 tackles, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, and allowed a 46.8 passer rating on throws his direction according to Pro Football Focus.

The All-Pro nod earned Sherman a $2 million incentive bonus on his contract. His presence has been essential to the 49ers’ defensive turnaround on and off the field. It’s not a coincidence San Francisco played one of their worst games of the year when he was out with a hamstring injury. Still, the intangibles weren’t necessary for him to land on an All-Pro team, and it was evident all year that he was on his way to making one.

Buckner’s placement as a Second-Team All-Pro feels like a make-up for last season’s snub. He was very good this season with 7.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. His production saw dramatic dips across the board from a year ago, yet he still earned his first ever All-Pro honor this season.

It’s worth noting that a lot of the increased production from other edge rushers can probably be attributed to some of the attention Buckner receives. He is a force on the interior of the defensive line, and despite a small regression in 2019, he’s still among the best players in the league at his position.

The surprise behind his addition has more to do with the players that didn’t make it. Defensive end Nick Bosa looked well on his way to getting a nod. So did Buckner’s fellow defensive lineman Arik Armstead. Linebacker Fred Warner had a good case as well.

San Francisco has had a hard time landing players on All-Pro teams the last several years though. NaVorro Bowman in 2015 was the last time they had a First-Team All-Pro.

It speaks volumes about the job the front office has done acquiring talent that they had three players represented on the All-Pro teams this year. Kittle and Sherman were both acquisitions by the current front office. Buckner is among their top priorities for an extension.

Perhaps the best news is that Kittle is just 26-years old, and Buckner is 25. There are a slew of other young players who could wind up making All-Pro teams down the line. Bosa, 22, also received votes. So did Warner, 23, and and Raheem Mostert, 27. The 49ers were very good this season, but they’re in a good spot to stay good for a really long time.