JKFOOTBALL Official All-Pro Team 2021-22

 With the regular season officially finished and the post-season beginning tomorrow, it's officially time to release the JKFOOTBALL All-Pro team of the 21-22 season. The official AP All-Pro team just came out as well, and while there are definitely quite a few similarities, there are also a bunch of differences. This is based solely on the play of all players during the 2021 season and based on no one previous years obviously. We also will list the guys we would have had as our second-team All-Pro underneath just to show.

Offense

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Statline: 4,115 yards, 37 TDs, 4 INTs passing | 3 TDs rushing

Our first team All-Pro QB is none other than Aaron Rodgers. The 3-time (and possibly soon to be 4 time) league MVP has had another season for the ages. En route to leading his Packers to yet another no. 1 seed in the NFC, Rodgers put together a magical season. While not playing in the full 17 games, Rodgers still threw the 10th most passing yards, and the 4th most TDs, and the least INTs in the league. The 37:4 TD:INT ratio is what really sets him apart from the other candidates here. To be throwing that many TDs to so few interceptions is otherworldly. 
(Second-Team: Tom Brady, Buccaneers)

Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Statline: 332 carries for 1,811 yards, 18 TDs rushing | 40 catches, 360 yards, 2 TDs receiving

Another name that shouldn't come as a shock as our first team all-pro RB is Jonathan Taylor of the Colts. Taylor had a season for the ages in Indy. He put the Colts on his back en route to leading the league in rushing yards and rushing TDs. While the team ultimately fell short of the playoffs, Taylor emerged as the best running back in football in just his second season. He eclipsed over 2,000 total yards of offense and 20 TDs. That was one of the greatest seasons I've ever seen for an RB.
(Second-Team: Joe Mixon, Bengals)

Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Statline: 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, 16 TDs receiving

Cooper Kupp is coming off possibly the best or second best receiving season in NFL history, so it's no surprise that he is the WR1 on our All-Pro team. Kupp became one of the few WRs ever to achieve the triple-crown feat and his 1,947 yards were the second-most in a single season ever. Not only is Kupp a great route-runner, but he has emerged as one of the best sets of hands in football. No matter how hard the hit is, Kupp holds on. After a season for the ages in which he will win Offensive Player of the Year, Kupp is your 2021 WR1 of the All-Pro team.

Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Statline: 108 receptions, 1,616 yards, 10 TDs receiving

Justin Jefferson had the best wide receiver season ever for a rookie in 2020, he followed it up with an EVEN better sophomore year which lands him a spot on our All-Pro first team. This could come as the first surprise of the team, but we liked Jefferson slightly above guys like Davante Adams or Deebo Samuel. The production that we've seen from Jefferson is pretty much second to none. Jefferson already has easily the most receiving yards in NFL history of any player in his first two seasons. The fact that he was able to eclipse 1,600 yards as a sophomore while grabbing just 108 balls and playing with a QB less than elite is amazing. The swaggy young superstar is our WR2. 

Wide Receiver 3/Flex: Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Statline: 77 receptions, 1,405 yards, 6 TDs receiving | 365 yards, 8 TDs rushing

Deebo Samuel is the definition of a FLEX player if we've ever seen it. While he is primarily a WR, he can really play anywhere on this 49er offense. He did as well. While playing all over the line as a receiver, Samuel played a fair amount of RB. Along with his crazy 1,405 yards receiving on just 77 receptions, Samuel also totaled an elite 365 yards and 8 TDs on the ground. He was the first player in NFL history to record this many receiving yards and rushing yards from the wideout position. He truly had a remarkable season for the ages and thus lands himself a first team All-Pro nod.

Second-Team WRs: Davante Adams (Packers), Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals), Cordarrelle Patterson (Falcons)

Tight End: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Statline: 107 receptions, 1,361 yards, 9 TDs receiving

While it isn't surprising now, seeing Mark Andrews as the first team All-Pro tight end would have come as a major shock at the beginning of the year. What Andrews was able to do with Lamar Jackson in and out of the lineup this season was nothing short of incredible. Andrews easily led all TEs in receiving yards along with tied for first with 9 TDs. Not only were his stats off the charts, the catches he made on a routine basis were crazy. There were times where whoever was playing QB for the Ravens would literally just throw the ball up into double or triple coverage and watch Mark Andrews come down with it. He routinely made the impossible look easy. Andrews was 6th in yards for any pass catcher which is insane for a TE.
(Second-team: Travis Kelce, Chiefs)

Offensive Line:

Tackle - Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Guard - Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Center - Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Guard - Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts

Tackle - Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

At tackle, Tristan Wirfs in his second year continues to play like the best young tackle in the game. He was a major reason why Tom Brady was able to lead the NFL in passing yards and passing TDs at age 44 with his rock solid protection. Joel Bitonio had a career year blocking for the Browns amazing rushing attack. Creed Humphrey, as a ROOKIE was the most dominant center in football and protected Mahomes like it was no one's business. Quenton Nelson may still be the best mauling offensive lineman in the NFL and we saw how much he helped first team All-Pro RB Jonathan Taylor break records. Trent Williams as our other First-Team tackle continues to be the best blind-side protector in the NFL despite getting up there in age, he was PFF's highest graded player of ANY position, not just O-lineman.

Second-Team OL: Lane Johnson (OT, Eagles), Wyatt Teller (OG, Browns), Corey Linsley (C, Chargers), Zack Martin (OG, Cowboys), Jordan Mailata (OT, Eagles)

Defense

Edge Rusher: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Statline: 22.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 64 total tackles, 7 pass deflections, 21 TFLs

Talk about having a season for the ages, TJ Watt may have just had the greatest defensive season EVER. In just 15 games, Watt was able to tie the all-time single season sack record which was held by Michael Strahan with 22.5. He also forced 5 fumbles which was top 5 in the NFL along with a crazy 21 TFLs which was also first in the league. There are few defensive players in the history of our game to be as impactful and dominant on a snap to snap basis as Watt. He was the reason they won multiple games. Usually it's a QB or a WR making the game-winning play consistently but for the Steelers, it was Watt. He will win his first DPOY of his career in early Februrary.

Edge Rusher: Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears
Statline: 18.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 49 total tackles, 17 TFLs

At age 31, who would have seen this season coming for the former Rams pro bowler? Quinn has been in the league for a long time now and has had a storied career, most notably with the Rams, but many were ready to write him off after he recorded just 2 sacks last season with the Bears in the first year of the mega-deal he signed with the team to come over following the 2019 season. It's safe to say Quinn isn't done yet. The 18.5 sacks were a team record for the Chicago Bears who have a rich defensive history and just .5 sacks less than his previous career best of 19 all the way back in 2013 when he made the AP All-Pro first-team. He also added 4 forced fumbles which was good for 7th in the league and 17 tackles for loss which was top 5 in football. This breakout season at age 31 is one of the craziest things I've seen in awhile, but his insane production of getting to the QB warrants him a spot on my All-Pro first team over perennial DPOY candidates like Myles Garrett or Chandler Jones.

Second-Team EDGE: Myles Garrett (Browns), Maxx Crosby (Raiders)

Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Statline: 12.5 sacks, 84 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections, 19 TFLs

Who would have guessed that Aaron Donald would be on this list? Just kidding, everyone would have. Donald may be the best and most dominant defensive player we've ever seen. His production is simply unmatched along with his impact on the game. As a DT, he not only is a beast in the run game, but he is an even better disrupter in the pass-rush game. I've said this before, even though he requires being double-teamed almost always, it doesn't matter. He might be the strongest player in football and just bashed his way through to the QB. Aside from this year due to the insane season of TJ Watt, Donald could pretty much win DPOY every single year. It's almost like he has as he's won the honor three separate times already with likely more to come.

Defensive Tackle: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Statline: 10 sacks, 89 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT, 9 pass deflections, 15 TFLs

Don't get me wrong, the statline that Heyward amassed this season is ELITE, but compared to some of our other first-team All-Pro members, it looks amateur. Still, do not let that distract you from the season Heyward had which easily warrants him First-Team honors. Along with TJ Watt, Heyward helped the Steelers have arguably the best defensive line in football. The impact of Heyward cannot be measured purely off of stats. He is always involved heavily in every defensive snap. Whether that means stuffing the run, creating pressure on the opposing QB, or even knocking the pass away, he is going to be involved. If you just listen some of the great voices and coaches and players talk about Heyward, it is only glowing remarks. Everyone knows he deserves this honor as he is coming off of the best season of his long career. It is clear that at age 32, he is still playing at his best.

Second-Team DT: Chris Jones (Chiefs), Jeffrey Simmons (Titans)

Linebacker: Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
Statline: 122 total tackles, 8 forced fumbles, 4 INTs, 8 pass deflections

Just like Aaron Donald, if Watt didn't have the season he had, Darius Leonard would be in strong consideration for the DPOY award. Even though he won DROY and lead the league in tackles in 2018 and then had two incredible, Pro Bowl seasons after that, this season has been by far the best year of his amazing early career. While the 122 total tackles are amazing on their own, the other things he did were next level. His 8 forced fumbles is simply marveling. I've never really seen a single player other than maybe Peanut Tillman as good as forcing fumbles as Leonard is. Tillman obviously was the creator of sorts of the peanut punch, but Leonard has perfected it. There isn't a tackle he makes where he forgets to try and force the fumble. Along with the fumbles, he also picked off 4 passes which is incredible production from any player, let alone an LB. The impact that Leonard brings to the Colts defense is astounding and he is easily the best LB in the NFL right now.

Linebacker: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Statline: 13 sacks, 84 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections, 20 TFLs

The second and final rookie to grace the First-Team All-Pro's is none other than Micah Parsons. We all know the incredible season that he has had for a rookie, but the fact is, it was elite for any player, not just a rookie. Parsons was the definition of versatile in his first season in the NFL. 13 sacks was 6th most in the NFL, and remember, not only is he not a pure rusher, but he's a ROOKIE. He also forced 3 fumbles and deflected 3 passes, showing his prowess in the pass coverage game. His 84 tackles along with 20 TFLs (2nd most in the league) show that he excelled greatly at being a pure tackler and run stuffer. As you can see, Parsons is elite in every aspect of the game on defense, and he's just a rookie. Imagine how good he's going to become.

Linebacker: Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Statline: 170 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 pass deflections

The third first team All-Pro LB is the ageless wonder Bobby Wagner. Wagner has long been the best MLB in football yet he seems to be so little talked about. He has perfected his craft and is able to continue to produce at the highest level even at an older age as a result. The 31-year old had quite possibly the best season of his storied career. Wagner was third in the NFL with a crazy 170 total tackles and likely would have been first had he not missed the final game of the season with injury. Wagner had multiple games of over 15 tackles including a game with 20. He also had a sack, a pick, and a forced fumble along with 5 batted passes. His consistency over the middle of the Seattle defense allowed their team to give up so little points to end the season. Once again, Bobby Wagner is an All-Pro first-team member.

Second-Team LB: De'Vondre Campbell (Packers), Foyesade Oluokun (Falcons), Demario Davis (Saints)

Cornerback: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots
Statline: 8 INTs, 23 pass deflections, 58 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive TD

I don't know why people aren't talking more about the season JC Jackson just had. I've said this many times, but if Watt didn't exist it would be quite the battle between JC and Darius Leonard for DPOY. Jackson is coming off one of the greatest seasons I've ever seen for a CB. His 23 pass deflections is out of this world. A player getting 20 or more in a season is literally hall of fame level. Couple that with the fact that he also had 8 INTs (2nd most in football) and allowed near the fewest yards of any CB in the league and you have yourself the All-Pro CB1. He is about to get paid like it this off-season.

Cornerback: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
Statline: 11 INTs, 21 pass deflections, 52 total tackles, 2 defensive TDs

While Diggs gave up a good amount of yardage to the WRs he covered, he also had one of the greatest ball-hawking seasons we've ever seen. With a crazy 11 INTs, he led the league by 3 to the next closest (which was JC). He also opened the year on a 6-game streak where he had at least 1 INT. That is wild. INTs are the flukiest stat and to be able to get one for 6 straight games is crazy. Diggs also was second in league with 21 pass deflections which is also beyond elite. With 52 total tackles, Diggs proved he was a more than willing tackler. While the yards allowed made his spot on this list not-guaranteed, his other work was so good that he just had to be a First-Team All-Pro member to us.

Second-Team CB: Jalen Ramsey (Rams), AJ Terrell (Falcons)

Safety: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Statline: 118 total tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, 5 pass deflections

The amount of elite safeties there were this season was just crazy, making the picks for our first-team All-Pro so hard. This is where we probably differ from the official list the most. Derwin James is probably the best and most talented safety in football right now, and his 2021 season proved that. He did a bit of everything, as he plays in the box but also deep. His 118 total tackles were the most among safeties. He also recorded 2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles continue to tell the story of how good he was in the box. Aside from those other stats just mentioned, James also picked off 2 passes and deflected 5 balls showing his elite coverage skill as well. He did a bit of everything and easily qualified for a spot on our First-Team All-Pro list.

Safety: Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
Statline: 5 INTs, 13 pass deflections, 88 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive TD

For a free safety, the season Kevin Byard had was just wild. Usually the strong safeties are the ones that get the all-around stats, kind of like Derwin James. Byard specializes in elite coverage skills for the most part, and while he definitely proved that this season, his all-around stats were eye-opening. Byard was near the top of football with his 5 INTs along with 13 pass deflections, but he was also an elite tackler from the free safety spot with 88 and he even got inside for a sack and forced 2 fumbles. The Titans earned the AFC's no. 1 seed and a large part of that was due to the elite play from their defensive leader Kevin Byard. Not bad from a kid out of Middle Tennesee.

Second-Team S: Jordan Poyer (Bills), Quandre Diggs (Seahawks)

Special Teams

Kicker - Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

Punter - Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks

Kick Returner - Andre Roberts, Los Angeles Chargers

Punt Returner - Jakeem Grant, Chicago Bears

Special Teamer - J.T. Gray, New Orleans Saints

Second-Team ST: Daniel Carlson (K, Raiders), AJ Cole (P, Raiders), Kene Nwangwu (KR, Vikings), Devin Duvernay (PR, Ravens), Matthew Slater (ST, Patriots)