Key takeaways and analysis from the 2023 NFL All-Pro teams
The Associated Press announced the 2023 NFL All-Pro team, and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Fred Warner, and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill were unanimous choices for the roster, which was announced Friday.
The 49ers, who had the NFC’s best record, had three other first-team selections on offense: tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was a first-team selection in 2019 when he won the NFL MVP, also got the selection this year after passing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns, running for 821 yards, and scoring five times on the ground.
NFL’s first team All Pros: pic.twitter.com/UUO2OSjaLa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024
Here are the first-team selections for the All-Pro Team:
Offense
Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore
Running back — Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco
Fullback — Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco
Tight end — George Kittle, San Francisco
Wide receivers — Tyreek Hill, Miami; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit
Left tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco
Left guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City
Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
Right guard — Zack Martin, Dallas
Right tackle — Penei Sewell, Detroit
Defense
Edge rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh
Interior linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Chris Jones, Kansas City
Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Quincy Williams; New York Jets
Cornerbacks — DaRon Bland, Dallas; Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
Slot cornerback — Trent McDuffie, Kansas City
Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay
Special Teams
Placekicker — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas
Punter — AJ Cole, Las Vegas
Kick returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay
Punt returner — Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans
Special teamer — Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh
Long snapper — Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville
With the selections now complete, here’s an analysis and takeaways from the choices.
Cowboys lead the way
Baltimore had the best record in the NFL (13-4), but it was the Dallas Cowboys who led the way with nine All-Pros.
These @dallascowboys were awarded AP All-Pro honors:
First-Team:
WR CeeDee Lamb
CB DaRon Bland
G Zack Martin
K Brandon Aubrey
Second-Team:
QB Dak Prescott
LB Micah Parsons
T Tyron Smith
G/T Tyler Smith
P Bryan Anger https://t.co/RHzuJN7N1I— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) January 12, 2024
Jason Kelce in rare company
This year’s honor might have solidified Kelce’s bonafide, first ballot Hall of Fame status.
Since the 1970 merger, only one #NFL center has won a Super Bowl and earned six @AP first-team All-Pro honors – Jason Kelce. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/KDIQZFWYhP
— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) January 12, 2024
3 Unanimous Selections
Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill and Fred Warner were all unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2023 NFL All-Pro Team.
The 49ers’ McCaffrey and Warner and the Dolphins’ Hill received first-team votes from all 50 members of a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.
CeeDee Lamb missed being a unanimous selection by one vote, and it was allegedly an Eagles centered media member.
Pro Bowl not important
Being named to the Pro Bowl is fun and fan-related, but having All-Pro next to your name can be the difference between stardom and Canton, Ohio’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jets linebacker Quincy Williams all were named to the All-Pro team despite being Pro Bowl snubs.
Lamar was almost unanimous
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson earned his second All-Pro selection, receiving 45 first-place votes.
Five voters felt different, as Dallas’ Dak Prescott and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy each received two first-place votes and Buffalo’s Josh Allen got the other one.
Aaron Donald, Zach Martin still dominant
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald becomes an eight-time pick, tied for most by a defensive player and tied for fifth-most overall. Cowboys right guard Zack Martin is a seven-time choice and Eagles center Jason Kelce earned his sixth selection.
Players new to the group
Fourteen players were named All-Pro for the first time including three from the NFC East champion Cowboys: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who missed being a unanimous choice by one vote; cornerback DaRon Bland and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams also are first time honorees.
Four of the six special-teams nominees are first-time All-Pros. They are: Aubrey, Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew, Saints punt returner Rashid Shaheed and Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik. Packers kick returner Keisean Nixon and Raiders punter AJ Cole got their second nods.
Sauce Gardner
The Jets star hit the ground running as a rookie in 2022, and hasn’t looked back since.
Sauce Gardner becomes the first #Jets player since the merger, regardless of position, to make first team AP All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. One of only 7 Jets to make it multiple times.
The others: Revis (3x), Powell (3), Gastineau (3), Mangold (2), Mawae (2) and…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 12, 2024
Price went up for Baltimore
Baltimore had the best record in the NFL and the top rated defense was a major reason why. The Ravens had Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike flourish in contract years, making the chances of re-signing both that more difficult.
Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen:
All-Pro’s…
In a contract year https://t.co/nMgbF6jGie
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) January 12, 2024
