Tag: All-Pro

Steelers LB T.J. Watt named to Sporting News All-Pro team

T.J. Watt was named an All-Pro by NFL head coaches.

The offseason accolades for Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt continue to roll in. The team announced on Thursday that Watt had been named to the Sporting News All-Pro team. The Sporting News All-Pro team is voted on by all 32 NFL head coaches.

Watt has another remarkable season on the way to winning Associated Press All-Pro first-team honors for the fourth time in the past five years. He had 19 sacks, leading the league for the third time in his career. Watt is the only player ever to lead the league in sacks three times since it became an official stat in 1982.

The only remaining question for Watt is whether or not he will get his second Defensive Player of the Year award. Watt was named DPOY in 2021, when he tied the single-season sack record with 22.5.

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain, KR Marvin Mims recognized by PFWA

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (All-AFC) and KR Marvin Mims (All-AFC, All-Rookie) were recognized by the PFWA following the 2023 season.

The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) has announced its all-pro designations from the 2023 NFL season and two Denver Broncos players were recognized.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain made the All-AFC Team alongside New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner. Denver wide receiver Marvin Mims also made the All-AFC squad as the conference’s kick returner. Additionally, Mims made the All-Rookie Team as a returner.

Surtain (cornerback) and Mims (returner) were also named starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl after being elected by coaches, players and fans. Broncos safety Justin Simmons will also start for the AFC at the Pro Bowl.

Simmons and Mims were previously named to the Associated Press All-Pro squad as second-team players. Surtain was snubbed by AP All-Pro voters, but he did make the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team that was voted on by his peers.

Elsewhere, Denver fullback Michael Burton made the Pro Football Focus All-Pro Team and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni received second-team recognition from PFF.

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PFF names Broncos FB Michael Burton a 2023 All-Pro

Broncos FB Michael Burton made PFF’s 2023 All-Pro Team after leading all fullbacks with a 67.2 run-blocking grade this season.

Pro Football Focus, the prestigious sports analytic site geared toward college and NFL football, announced their 2023 All-Pro Team last week and Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton made the list.

Although Burton only carried the ball seven times for nine yards, according to PFF his impact landed more than just on carries or lack thereof.

“There aren’t many true fullbacks in today’s NFL, but of the 15 players to record at least 50 snaps lined up as a fullback this season, Burton led the way in PFF run-blocking grade (67.2),” Gordon McGuinness wrote on PFF’s website.

While teams don’t employ fullbacks, due to the NFL leaning toward pass-heavy attacks, Payton used Burton to help establish a physical component to their offensive attack. However, was Burton used due to Russell Wilson’s limitations? Will Payton lean toward the aerial attack and draft a QB that favors his New Orleans Saints days in 2024? Whichever way Payton lands, it doesn’t take from the impact Burton made with the Broncos this season.

In addition to Burton, Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni was also named a second-team All-Pro by PFF (Ross Matiscik of the Jacksonville Jaguars got the first-team nod).

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One voter’s 2023 AP First-Team All-Pro ballot

If you’ve ever wanted to see an official First-Team All-Pro ballot, we have you covered.

There are moments in your career where you think to yourself… “Yeah, this is a moment to remember.” Two years ago, when the Associated Press asked me to be one of the analysts responsible for voting for the First- and Second-Team All-Pro teams, as well as NFL Most Valuable Player and all other individual awards, that was certainly such a moment for me.

So, this is my second year of voting, and I wanted to share my first-team ballot with our readers. It’s an honor I take incredibly seriously, and this process involves a ton of advanced metrics, tape study, and reflections from a season of diving into both.

Some of these votes were easy; some were incredibly difficult. But it will give you a bit of insight into what happens with an All-Pro vote.

Amon-Ra St. Brown headlines 5 Lions who earned All-Pro status

St. Brown didn’t make the Pro Bowl but earned 1st-team All-Pro status

The Associated Press revealed the 2023 season All-Pro teams on Friday. The Detroit Lions are well-represented on the teams, which are considered the most prestigious of the postseason awards.

Two Lions earned first-team All-Pro status. Right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown each achieved the elite status. Only one player per position is selected except at positions like wide receiver and cornerback where multiple players are used by default.

The second team features three Lions:

  • TE Sam LaPorta
  • C Frank Ragnow
  • LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin as a special teams ace

It’s the second time Ragnow has earned second-team status, with the first coming in 2020. He is the only Lions player who previously earned All-Pro recognition on the first or second team.

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49ers have 2 unanimous First-Team All-Pros

Seven members of the San Francisco 49ers were represented on the 2023 AP All-Pro team.

After securing the No. 1 overall seed with the best overall record in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers’ star-studded roster is already being decorated with individual accolades.

While multiple players have been voted to participate in the Pro Bowl, the 49ers will also be well-represented on the Associated Press All-Pro team for 2023.

Seven total players from the 49ers were included on the All-Pro team, including two unanimous First-Team All-Pros. Only three players receivined unanimous nods for the All-Pro First-Team, and two of them were members of the 49ers.

Running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner were unanimous First-Team All-Pros. Miami Dolphins pass catcher Tyreek Hill also received a unanimous vote.

Scroll below to see where other members of the 49ers landed on the All-Pro team.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

Packers KR Keisean Nixon named first-team All-Pro in 2023

Packers kickoff returner Keisean Nixon was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second consecutive season in 2023.

Green Bay Packers kickoff returner Keisean Nixon was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the 2023 season.

Nixon received 36 of the 50 first-place votes.

The honor is Nixon’s second consecutive first-team selection at returner. Per the Packers, Nixon is just the fourth player to go back-to-back as the first-team All-Pro kickoff returner.

Although he didn’t have a kickoff return touchdown, Nixon led the NFL in both kickoff returns (30), kickoff return yards (782) and kickoff returns of at least 30 yards (7). His long kickoff return — 51 yards — was the 10th longest in the NFL in 2023. He also had a 49-yard kickoff return.

Among returners with at least 10 kickoff returns, Nixon’s 26.1-yard average ranked fourth.

He finished the season with two games of 100 or more kickoff return yards and nine with 50 or more.

Last season, Nixon had 11 returns of at least 30 yards and five of 50 or more, including a 105-yard touchdown. He also had eight games with 100 or more kickoff return yards.

Nixon was the team’s only All-Pro in 2023. Nixon and cornerback Jaire Alexander (second team) were All-Pro picks for the Packers in 2022.

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt named 1st-team All-Pro by the AP

T.J. Watt and Miles Killebrew are both first team All-Pro.

Justice is served. The Associated Press put out their All-Pro team on Friday and Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt was named to the first team. This is after being snubbed by the NFLPA All=Pro team.

Watt led the league in sacks in 2023 with 19. Watt is the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks in three separate seasons. The Steelers will be without Watt this weekend against the Buffalo Bills. Watt injured his knee in the regular-season finale but not before he racked up two more sacks.

Steelers safety and special-teams ace Miles Killebrew also make the first team. Killebrew has become a kick and punt blocking star.

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain snubbed by 2023 AP All-Pro Team

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims earned second-team AP All-Pro recognition. Cornerback Pat Surtain was snubbed.

The Associated Press announced its 2023 NFL All-Pro Team on Friday and two Denver Broncos players made the cut.

Broncos safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims received second-team recognition. Surtain was snubbed.

Surtain (23) totaled 69 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception this season. Simmons (30) recorded 70 tackles, eight pass breakups, three interceptions and one sack (he also missed two games due to injury). Mims (21) averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 16.4 yards per punt return this season.

Surtain was named to the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team, and Simmons, Surtain and Mims were all elected as AFC starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl.

Additionally, Pro Football Focus named Denver fullback Michael Burton to its All-Pro Team, and Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni earned a second-team All-Pro nod from PFF.

Simmons and Surtain were named first-team AP All-Pros last season. Denver’s secondary is in good hands with Simmons and Surtain leading the way, despite PS2’s omission this year.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin with rare Tweet to endose T.J. Watt for DPOY

Mike Tomlin might be a little biased but he’s a big fan of T.J. Watt.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t take to social media very often. So when he makes a post, we pay attention. Tomlin offered up a retweet on Friday of the official NFL account talking about the potential of outside linebacker T.J. Watt winning his second Defensive Player of the Year.

Watt casually had another landmark season in 2023 with 19 sacks. He is the first player in NFL history since sacks were tracked as an official stat to lead the league in sacks in three different seasons. In a year when there have been a handful of standout edge players, Tomlin made it clear he thinks Watt is the best.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem the rest of the league agrees. Pro Football Focus and the NFLPA both put out their All-Pro teams this week and left Watt off.

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