The Associated Press has announced the 2017 NFL All-Pro Team for the 2017 season, as voted on by members of the media. It’s important to note that because styles and schemes differ so greatly across the league that it’s hard to choose teams like this because roles depend on the scheme. Which is to say: defensive ends that play in a 4-3 scheme and outside linebackers who play in a 3-4 effectively have the same role – pressure the opposing quarterback – but are listed as different positions. To their credit, the format the AP has chosen for its NFL All-Pro Team tries to be as inclusive as possible in order to reflect what happens on the field. For example, those 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers are combined as defensive “edge” players.
The format isn’t without flaws though. Traditionally, the NFL All-Pro Team named a fullback. But since most NFL teams use fullbacks fewer times in a season than Bill Belichick smiles, the traditional fullback position is voted on as an offensive “flex” position. Thus, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell appears on the first team as a flex and again on the second team as a running back. Likewise, Pharoh Cooper of the Los Angeles Rams was named to the first team as a kick returner and second team as a punt returner. It’s a bit confusing if not altogether ridiculous – especially in Bell’s flex/running back case – but these things really only matter but so much.
Regardless, here are the results of the AP’s voting:
Antonio Brown might not win the MVP race, but he was the only player voted as a unanimous selection to The Associated Press 2017 NFL All-Pro Team.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 6, 2018
AP 2017 NFL All-Pro Team, First Team
Offense
Quarterback: Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Running back: Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams)
Flex: Le’Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers); DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans)
Tight end: Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)
Left tackle: Andrew Whitworth (Los Angeles Rams)
Right tackle: Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Left guard: Andrew Norwell (Carolina Panthers)
Right guard: David DeCastro (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Center: Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles)
Defense
Interior line: Aaron Donald (Los Angles Rams); Cam Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Edge: Calais Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars); Cameron Jordan (New Orleans Saints)
Linebacker: Chandler Jones (Arizona Cardinals); Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers); Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks)
Cornerback: Jalen Ramsey (Jacksonville Jaguars); Xavier Rhodes (Minnesota Vikings)
Safety: Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans); Harrison Smith (Minnesota Vikings)
Defensive back: Darius Slay (Detroit Lions)
Special Teams
Kicker: Greg Zuerlein (Los Angeles Rams)
Punter: Johnny Hekker (Los Angles Rams)
Kick returner: Pharoh Cooper (Los Angeles Rams)
Punt returner: Jamal Agnew (Detroit Lions)
Special teamer: Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals)
AP 2017 NFL All-Pro Team, Second Team
Offense
Quarterback: Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles)
Running back: Le’Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Flex: Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)
Wide receiver: Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons); Adam Thielen (Minnesota Vikings)
Tight end: Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs)
Left tackle: David Bahktiari (Green Bay Packers)
Right tackle: Mitchell Schwartz (Kansas City Chiefs); Daryl Williams (Carolina Panthers) [Tie]
Left guard: Rodger Saffold (Los Angeles Rams)
Right guard: Zack Martin (Dallas Cowboys)
Center: Alex Mack (Atlanta Falcons)
Defense
Interior line: Fletcher Cox (Philadelphia Eagles); Calais Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Edge: Everson Griffin (Minnesota Vikings); DeMarcus Lawrence (Dallas Cowboys)
Linebacker: Von Miller (Denver Broncos); C.J. Mosley (Baltimore Ravens); Telvin Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Cornerback: Casey Hayward (Los Angeles Chargers); A.J. Bouye (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Safety: Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks); Micah Hyde (Buffalo Bills)
Defensive back: Xavier Rhodes (Minnesota Vikings)
Special Teams
Kicker: Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens)
Punter: Brett Kern (Tennessee Titans)
Kick returner: Tyler Lockett (Seattle Seahawks)
Punt returner: Pharoh Cooper (Los Angeles Rams)
Special teamer: Matthew Slater (New England Patriots)
