Fansided

NFL 2015: Projecting the All-Pro teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after officials ruled a 2-point conversion attempt by the Detroit Lions failed in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after officials ruled a 2-point conversion attempt by the Detroit Lions failed in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Kicker (1)

Last year: Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski

First team: Justin Tucker
Second team: Matt Bryant

How has Tucker not gotten the respect he deserves yet? He’s young, but the Ravens kicker has many a bevy of clutch kicks throughout his career. Bryant is also a tremendous kicker and has the benefit of playing indoors for more than half his games.

Punter (1)

Last year: Pat McAfee, Johnny Hekker

First team: Johnny Hekker
Second team: Dustin Colquitt

Hekker has a cannon for a leg, sending booming punts all over creation. Colquitt has been one of the best punters in the league over the last decade but is yet to make an All-Pro team. That changes in 2015.

Kick returner (1)

Last year: Adam Jones, Darren Sproles

First team: Jarvis Landry
Second team: De’Anthony Thomas

Both Landry and Thomas were rookies last season and showed the ability to be electric in open space. With Jones and Sproles both aging, this is a perfect time to see some new blood.

Defensive end (2)

Last year: J.J. Watt, Mario Williams, Fletcher Cox, Calais Campbell

First team: J.J. Watt, Cameron Wake
Second team: Robert Quinn, Muhammad Wilkerson

Watt is going to be a first-team All-Pro if he just shows up and puts on a helmet. Hell, he might not even need that. Wake should get plenty of single-teams with Ndamukong Suh next to him, while Quinn and Wilkerson are two of the best in the NFL. This is a loaded position across the league.

Defensive tackle (2)

Last year: Ndamukong Suh, Marcell Dareus, Gerald McCoy, J.J. Watt

First team: Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy
Second team: Dontari Poe, Aaron Donald

Suh is an absolute monster and should thrive on the Miami Dolphins. The same thing can be said for Donald, playing with that loaded St. Louis Rams front. Poe is the best nose tackle in the league at the moment, while McCoy has been an horrifically undervalued player for years.

Outside linebacker (2)

Last year: Justin Houston, Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, Connor Barwin

First team: Justin Houston, Khalil Mack
Second team: Anthony Barr, Von Miller

Houston is the best linebacker in football by a wide margin, notching 22 sacks in 2014 and playing great run defense. Mack was excellent as a rookie and should only improve in 2015. Barr has been coming on for the Vikings and Miller is a wonderful talent when he’s on the field. There will be plenty of excellent players left off this list.

Next: Moving from outside to inside and beyond...

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