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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass over Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the second quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass over Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the second quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End (1)

Last year: Rob Gronkowski

First team: Rob Gronkowski
Second team: Jason Witten

Gronkowski is the best tight end in football by a mile, and will continue to be. Meanwhile, Witten has one more great year before starting a fairly steady decline with age.

Wide receiver (2)

Last year: Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Jordy Nelson

First team: Calvin Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr.
Second team: Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant

Johnson is still the most dominant receiver in football when healthy. If Megatron is back in business, lookout. Beckham is one of those truly rare talents, so expect him to continue his meteoric rise to stardom. Brown and Bryant go from the first to second teams. Both want new contracts, and they will put their best foot forward to earn them.

Offensive tackle (2)

Last year: Tyron Smith, Joe Thomas, Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters

First team: Tyron Smith, Andrew Whitworth
Second team: Joe Thomas, Joe Staley

We don’t see a ton of movement here. Smith should be on this list for quite some time, while Whitworth is a great veteran. Thomas has been a beast throughout his entire career with the Cleveland Browns, and Staley is a terrific left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.

Offensive guard (2)

Last year: Marshal Yanda, Zack Martin, Josh Sitton, Kyle Long

First team: Kelechi Osemele, Evan Mathis
Second team: Josh Sitton, Joel Bitonio

Osemele is one of the most underrated players in football, but is set to emerge. The Baltimore Ravens have an incredible guard combination between he and Yanda, only rivaled by T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton of the Green Bay Packers. Mathis has been consistently great for years, and Bitonio is an up-and-coming star for Cleveland.

Center (1)

Last year: Maurkice Pouncey, Travis Frederick

First team: Travis Frederick
Second team: Nick Mangold

Frederick easily could have made the first team last year, but squeaks in for 2015 ahead of Mangold. The Jets will be getting more attention this year, which (right or wrong) will help Mangold get the nod.

Next: Who is truly special on special teams?

Home/NFL