The NFL All-Pro team was announced on Friday, with both J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots deservedly landing unanimous honors. The voting was done by 50 members of the Associated Press throughout the country who closely follow the league.
Gronkowski helped lead the Patriots to home field advantage throughout the playoffs with his 82 receptions for 1,124 and 12 touchdowns. The oft-injured star was able to stay healthy throughout the regular season, and was the tight end selection on all 50 ballots.
Watt’s unanimous selection was a little bit more interesting. He received 45 votes as a defensive end, and five votes as a defensive tackle. So technically, the Texans’ star is a first-team All-Pro at defensive end, and a second-team All-Pro at defensive tackle.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was the next closest to become unanimous, receiving 49 votes. Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray received 48, while Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston nabbed 47 votes.
The Cowboys led the league with four selections. Wide receiver Dez Bryant, tackle Tyron Smith and guard Zack Martin joined Murray as All-Pros. Martin, who was the Cowboys’ first round pick in the 2014 draft, was an incredible addition to the offensive line, and a huge reason why Murray led the league in rushing. Martin was the only rookie selected as an All-Pro.
Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers was the quarterback selection, his second time being named as an All-Pro. After becoming a unanimous selection last season, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning did not receive a single vote this year. In fact, the 12-4 Broncos did not have one player who was an All-Pro this season. Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas was named an All-Pro for the fifth time, more than any other player on the current All-Pro team. Patriots cornerback Darrell Revis has been named to the team for a fourth time.
Players who were named All-Pro from last year’s team include: Watt, Thomas, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and Seattle Seahawks defensive backs Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.
The complete results of the NFL All-Pro team voted on by the Associated Press:
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 44. Others receiving votes: Tony Romo, Dallas, 3; Tom Brady, New England, 2; Andrew Luck, Indianapolis, 1.
Running Backs*: DeMarco Murray, Dallas, 48 and Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh, 44. Others receiving votes: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle, 7.
Fullback**: John Kuhn, Green Bay, 18. Others receiving votes: Anthony Sherman, Kansas City, 14; Marcel Reece, Oakland, 12; Bruce Miller, San Francisco, 3; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle, 1; Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore, 1.
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, New England, 50.
Wide Receivers: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 49 and Dez Bryant, Dallas, 24. Others receiving votes: Jordy Nelson, Green Bay, 15; Demaryius Thomas, Denver, 11; Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, 1.
Offensive Tackles: Tyron Smith, Dallas, 35 and Joe Thomas, Cleveland, 22. Others receiving votes: Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati, 14; Jason Peters, Philadelphia, 12; Ryan Clady, Denver, 4; Sebastian Vollmer, New England, 3; Joe Staley, San Francisco, 3; Ricky Wagner, Baltimore, 2; Trent Williams, Washington, 1; Lane Johnson, Philadelphia, 1; Jared Veldheer, Arizona, 1; Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay, 1; Louis Vasquez, Denver, 1.
Offensive Guards: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore, 38 and Zack Martin, Dallas 24. Others receiving votes: Josh Sitton, Green Bay, 22; Kyle Long, Chicago, 5; Mike Iupati, San Francisco, 4; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia, 2; Jahri Evans, New Orleans, 2; Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, 1; Dan Connolly, New England, 1; James Carpenter, Seattle, 1.
Center: Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh, 21. Others receiving votes: Travis Frederick, Dallas, 14; Nick Mangold, New York Jets, 7; Jason Kelce, Philadelphia, 5; Corey Linsley, Green Bay, 1; Rodney Hudson, Kansas City, 1; Ryan Kalil, Carolina, 1.
Placekicker: Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis, 25. Others receiving votes: Stephen Gostkowski, New England, 21; Matt Bryant, Atlanta, 1; Dan Bailey, Dallas, 1; Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona, 1; Justin Tucker, Baltimore, 1.
Kick Returner: Adam Jones, Cincinnati, 17. Others receiving votes: Darren Sproles, Philadelphia, 15; Devin Hester, Atlanta, 14; Jacoby Jones, Baltimore, 3; De’Anthony Thomas, Kansas City, 1.
Defensive Ends: J.J. Watt, Houston, 45 and Mario Williams, Buffalo, 24. Other receiving votes: Calais Campbell, Arizona, 11; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 5; Cameron Wake, Miami, 5; Michael Bennett, Seattle, 3; Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore, 3; Everson Griffen, Minnesota, 1; Jerry Hughes, Buffalo, 1; Robert Quinn, St. Louis, 1; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, 1.
Defensive Tackles: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit, 41 and Marcell Dareus, Buffalo, 24. Others receiving votes: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay, 14; J.J. Watt, Houston, 5; Kyle Williams, Buffalo, 4; Aaron Donald, St. Louis, 4; Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets, 4; Sen’Derrick Marks, Jacksonville, 2; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 2; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 1.
Outside Linebackers: Justin Houston, Kansas City, 47 and Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore, 13. Others receiving votes: Von Miller, Denver, 11; Connor Barqin, Philadelphia, 11; DeAndre Levy, Detroit, 7; Clay Matthews, Green Bay, 5; Ryan Kerrigan, Washington, 3; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 2; Terrell Suggs, Baltimore, 1.
Inside Linebacker: Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 43 and Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 31. Others receiving votes: C.J. Mosley, Baltimore, 9; DeAndre Levy, Detroit, 4; Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh, 4; Jamie Collins, New England, 2; Don’t’a Hightower, New England, 2; D’Qwell Jackson, Indianapolis, 1; Brandon Marshall, Denver, 1; Clay Matthews, Green Bay, 1; Larry Foote, Arizona, 1; Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia, 1.
Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis, New England, 42 and Richard Sherman, Seattle, 41. Others receiving votes: Chris Harris Jr., Denver, 9; Brent Grimes, Miami, 4; Vontae Davis, Indianapolis, 2; Aqib Talib, Denver, 1; Joe Haden, Cleveland, 1.
Safeties: Earl Thomas, Seattle, 39 and Eric Weddle, San Diego, 16. Others receiving votes: Kam Chancellor, Seattle, 14; Glover Quin, Detroit, 13, Harrison Smith, Minnesota, 7; Antoine Bethea, San Francisco, 5; Devin McCourty, New England, 2; Tashaun Gipson, Cleveland, 2; Charles Woodson, Oakland, 1; Rashad Johnson, Arizona, 1.
Punter**: Pat McAfee, Indianapolis, 26. Others receiving votes: Johnny Hekker, St. Louis, 12; Sam Koch, Baltimore, 8; Kevin Huber, Cincinnati, 2; Bryan Anger, Jacksonville, 1.
*- One voter only selected one running back.
**- One voter did not select a fullback, and one did not select a punter.