RADIO
The 2023 regular season has wrapped up, and with it comes a full body of work for every player to be evaluated. The Associated Press gives the most prestigious recognition of the year for each position, as the All-Pro teams combined have half the players of the Pro Bowl.
This past season saw record-breaking performances, with Puka Nacua leading in receptions and receiving yards for a rookie season, while Christian McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill approached 2,000 scrimmage yards. Talent was on full display this past year, and there were numerous good options at every position.
Who should make the AP All-Pro team for 2023? Let's go through what my ballot would look like if I had a vote.
Offense
Quarterback
First Team: Lamar Jackson
Second Team: Dak Prescott
Honorable Mentions: Josh Allen, Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes
Lamar Jackson was the easy choice here, as he single-handedly serves as the engine that drives the Baltimore offense. Dak Prescott gets the nod over Josh Allen because of a more sustained level of play throughout the year. Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa put up the numbers to be in the conversation, and this is likely the lowest position Patrick Mahomes will finish in a healthy season.
Running Back
First Team: Christian McCaffrey
Second Team: Raheem Mostert
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Henry, Kyren Williams
Christian McCaffrey's 2,000 scrimmage yards this season make him the clear first-team choice, particularly considering how crucial he is to the 49ers' success. Raheem Mostert's NFL-leading 18 rushing touchdowns give him the slight nod over Derrick Henry and Kyren Williams, both of whom had tremendous years.
Wide Receiver
First Team: CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill
Second Team: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Puka Nacua
Honorable Mentions: Brandon Aiyuk, A.J. Brown, DJ Moore, Jaylen Waddle
Tyreek Hill finished with nearly 2,000 receiving yards, with CeeDee Lamb right behind him as the receptions leader. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the clear number three receiver this year, and Puka Nacua got the edge over others because of the sheer volume he had seen over the course of the year. Brandon Aiyuk's incredible three yards per route run had him close to the second team, but Nacua's historic rookie year was just too good.
Tight End
First Team: George Kittle
Second Team: Sam LaPorta
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson
As the only tight end to go over 1,000 receiving yards, George Kittle was the obvious first-team choice. He's one of the best blockers at the position as well, and he was really the complete package in 2023. Sam LaPorta just beat out T.J. Hockenson and Travis Kelce thanks to his position-leading 10 touchdowns.
Offensive Tackle
First Team: Tyron Smith, Penei Sewell
Second Team: Trent Williams, Tristan Wirfs
Honorable Mentions: Laremy Tunsil, Austin Jackson, Rashawn Slater, Garrett Bolles
Tyron Smith and Penei Sewell were among the most efficient tackles this season. Smith was often tasked with blocking his man solo, while Sewell boasted one of the highest pass block win rates. Trent Williams, with a high double-team rate, earned a spot on the second team, while Tristan Wirfs was the clear number two at right tackle.
Offensive Guard
First Team: Joe Thuney, Chris Lindstrom
Second Team: Joel Bitonio, Zack Martin
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Smith, Wyatt Teller, Brandon Scherff, Sam Cosmi
Joe Thuney was the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL this year while Chris Lindstrom was the best all-around guard this season. Zack Martin just gets the edge over Tyler Smith on the second team because Martin was asked to do more alone on the Dallas offensive line.
Center
First Team: Frank Ragnow
Second Team: Tyler Linderbaum
Honorable Mentions: Jason Kelce, Creed Humphrey
Frank Ragnow was the best run-blocking center this year while also excelling in pass-blocking. Tyler Linderbaum was the clear number two, dominating in all phases, while Jason Kelce and Creed Humphrey just missed despite terrific seasons.
Defense
Defensive Tackle
First Team: Dexter Lawrence, Aaron Donald
Second Team: Quinnen Williams, DeForest Buckner
Honorable Mentions: Chris Jones, Derrick Brown, DJ Reader, Jalen Carter
Dexter Lawrence was second in pass rush win rate among interior defensive linemen and also excelled against the run. Aaron Donald just barely beats out Quinnen Williams because of his insanely high pass rush win rate, but that one could really go either way. DeForest Buckner gets the nod over others on the second team because of his dominance rushing the passer along with being very solid versus the run.
Edge Rusher
First Team: Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons
Second Team: T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby
Honorable Mentions: Nick Bosa, Will Anderson Jr., Trey Hendrickson, Aidan Hutchinson
Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons are the clear picks here, drawing massive double-team rates while also leading in pressures and pass rush win rate. T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby are comfortably on the second team, with Crosby being the best edge rusher against the run and Watt leading in sacks.
Linebacker
First Team: Fred Warner, Demario Davis
Second Team: C.J. Mosley, Roquan Smith
Honorable Mentions: Lavonte David, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jahlani Tavai, Blake Cashman
Fred Warner remains the best linebacker in football, excelling against the run and in coverage. Demario Davis consistently ranks right behind him in both regards. C.J. Mosley might have been the best linebacker in coverage this year, narrowly beating out Lavonte David, while Roquan Smith is a key factor on one of the best defenses in football.
Cornerback
First Team: Jaylon Johnson, Sauce Garnder
Second Team: Patrick Surtain II, DaRon Bland
Honorable Mentions: L'Jarius Sneed, Charvarious Ward, Rasul Douglas, Darious Williams
Jaylon Johnson was the best cornerback in football this year, and Sauce Gardner was a pretty close second with another tremendous year in New York. Patrick Surtain II was just behind these two to miss the first team, and Daron Bland's record-setting season makes him an easy choice for the second team ahead of L'Jarius Sneed and Charvarious Ward.
Safety
First Team: Xavier McKinney, Jessie Bates III
Second Team: Kyle Hamilton, Antoine Winfield Jr.
Honorable Mentions: Jevon Holland, Jabrill Peppers, Jalen Thompson, Geno Stone
Xavier McKinney had a fantastic season at free safety and was probably the best deep safety in the NFL this year. Jessie Bates made a great impression in Atlanta and just barely beat out Antoine Winfield for the other first-team spot. On the second team, Kyle Hamilton gets the edge over Jevon Holland thanks to his impact on an elite defense and his versatility at multiple positions.
Special Teams
Kicker
First Team: Dustin Hopkins
Second Team: Brandon Aubrey
Honorable Mentions: Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker
Punter
First Team: AJ Cole
Second Team: Bradley Pinion
Honorable Mentions: Corey Bojorquez, Thomas Morstead
Return Specialist
First Team: Britain Covey
Second Team: Derius Davis
Honorable Mentions: Deonte Harty, Marvin Mims Jr.
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