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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

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.

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

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 10: DaRon Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Baltimore had the best record in the NFL (13-4), but it was the Dallas Cowboys who led the way with nine All-Pros.

Jason Kelce in rare company

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 07: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles directs his team during the first half in the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 07, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

This year’s honor might have solidified Kelce’s bonafide, first ballot Hall of Fame status.

3 Unanimous Selections

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws an incomplete pass to running back Aaron Jones under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during their football game Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

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

Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) fights for yards as New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) tackles during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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

Nfl Ny Jets Vs Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars At Jets

The Jets star hit the ground running as a rookie in 2022, and hasn’t looked back since.

Price went up for Baltimore

Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom;Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) and linebacker Patrick Queen (6) in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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