2017 All-Pro Team
The 2017 All-Pro Team comprises the first-team selections by The Associated Press (AP) for the National Football League's (NFL) top performers during the 2017 regular season, honoring 27 players across offense, defense, and special teams based on votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league.[1] Announced on January 5, 2018, the team highlights elite individual contributions in a season that culminated in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory, with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown standing out as the only unanimous choice, earning all 50 votes for his exceptional receiving production of 1,533 yards and 9 touchdowns.[1][2] Key offensive standouts included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who secured his third All-Pro nod with 4,577 passing yards and 32 touchdowns en route to NFL MVP honors, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley as the league's rushing leader with 1,301 yards and 13 scores, and tight end Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots, whose fourth selection triggered a $2.5 million contract incentive amid 1,084 receiving yards.[1][3] The Rams dominated with six total selections, including Gurley, offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker, and return specialist Pharoh Cooper, underscoring their resurgence under head coach Sean McVay.[1] On defense, the team featured Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Calais Campbell, who recorded 14.5 sacks and was instrumental in the league's top-ranked unit, alongside New Orleans Saints counterpart Cameron Jordan with 12 sacks, while linebacker trio Chandler Jones (Arizona Cardinals), Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers), and Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks) represented versatile playmaking.[1][3] Four players—Brown, Donald, Hekker, and Wagner—repeated their first-team honors from 2016, a rare feat emphasizing sustained excellence, and the selections influenced contract incentives, Hall of Fame trajectories, and player legacies in a year marked by high-scoring offenses and resurgent defenses.[1][2]Overview
Definition and Selection Process
The All-Pro designation represents the highest individual honor in the National Football League (NFL), annually recognizing the top performers at each position based on their contributions during the regular season. Established as a benchmark of excellence since the early 20th century, All-Pro selections are determined by various media organizations through voting panels, distinguishing them from fan-voted events like the Pro Bowl by emphasizing expert evaluation of on-field impact.[4][5] The Associated Press (AP) All-Pro Team, widely regarded as the most prestigious, is selected by a national panel of 50 media members who vote for first- and second-team honorees across 11 offensive players (quarterback, running back, two wide receivers, tight end, two offensive tackles, two offensive guards, center, and a flex spot for running back, wide receiver, or tight end), 12 defensive players (two edge rushers, two defensive tackles, three linebackers, two cornerbacks, two safeties, and one defensive back), and five special teams positions (kicker, punter, kick returner, punt returner, and special teamer). Voting takes place immediately after the regular season concludes, typically in early January, with the 2017 selections finalized and announced on January 5, 2018, to honor performances from the preceding campaign.[1][6][3] Other prominent All-Pro teams employ distinct methodologies: the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) relies on votes from its more than 300 accredited national media members to select a single team without second-team designations, focusing on a consensus of professional journalists covering the league.[7] In contrast, The Sporting News All-Pro Team for 2017 was determined by ballots submitted by NFL head coaches, providing an insider perspective from those who strategize against the players.[8] Across these organizations, key voting criteria emphasize a player's statistical performance, such as yards gained, tackles made, or points scored; their overall impact on team success, including contributions to wins and defensive stops; and consistency throughout the 16-game regular season, ensuring selections reflect sustained excellence rather than isolated highlights.[5][9]2017 NFL Season Context
The 2017 NFL season featured 32 teams competing in a 16-game regular season schedule, culminating in Super Bowl LII where the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33 to claim their first championship in franchise history.[10] This outcome marked a significant upset, as the Eagles entered as underdogs against the defending champions, highlighting the parity across the league. The season ran from September 7 to December 31, featuring 12 teams—six from each conference—based on division winners and wild-card selections. Key storylines included the rapid resurgence of the Los Angeles Rams under first-year head coach Sean McVay, the youngest in NFL history at age 30, who led the team to an 11–5 record and their first playoff appearance since 2004 through innovative offensive schemes.[11] Complementing this was the explosive offensive output from the New Orleans Saints, who finished 11–5 and secured a playoff spot with a high-powered passing attack that emphasized quick rhythms and play-action. Defensively, standout individual dominance was evident, exemplified by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald's 11 sacks and disruptive presence that anchored one of the top units in the league. League-wide statistical trends showed a continued emphasis on passing, with teams averaging 224.4 passing yards per game, reflecting an evolution in offensive strategies.[12] This uptick was influenced by rule emphases on quarterback protection, including prohibitions on forcible hits below the knee or landing with full body weight on a grounded passer, which aimed to reduce injuries and encourage aggressive aerial attacks.[13] In conference standings, the NFC East was captured by the Eagles at 13–3, earning the top seed, while the AFC East went to the Patriots, also at 13–3 for the No. 1 AFC position.[14] Other division winners included the Vikings (NFC North, 13–3), Saints (NFC South, 11–5), Rams (NFC West, 11–5), Steelers (AFC North, 13–3), Jaguars (AFC South, 10–6), and Chiefs (AFC West, 10–6), setting up a competitive postseason field with multiple 11–5 teams vying for wild-card spots.[15]Associated Press Team
First-Team Selections
The Associated Press' 2017 first-team All-Pro selections recognized the elite performers of the NFL regular season, with the Los Angeles Rams earning a league-high six spots and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown standing out as the only unanimous choice, receiving all 50 votes from a nationwide panel of media members.[1] These honorees were determined based on voting that emphasized statistical dominance, impact on team success, and overall play, reflecting the season's emphasis on versatile offenses and disruptive defenses.[16]Offense
The offensive selections highlighted a balanced attack led by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns with just eight interceptions, capping a season that earned him the AP NFL MVP award.[17] At running back, Los Angeles Rams' Todd Gurley led the league with 2,093 yards from scrimmage, including 1,301 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, while Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell added versatility as the flex selection with 1,946 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns.[18] Wide receivers Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) and DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans) formed a dynamic duo, with Brown amassing 101 receptions for 1,533 yards and nine touchdowns in only 14 games despite missing time due to injury.[19] New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski provided a reliable target with 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns, excelling in contested catches and red-zone efficiency.[20] The offensive line anchored these stars with a mix of power and precision: left tackle Andrew Whitworth (Los Angeles Rams) allowed just one sack in 16 starts, right tackle Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles) protected with zero sacks allowed over 600 pass-blocking snaps, left guard Andrew Norwell (Carolina Panthers) graded elite in run-blocking per advanced metrics, right guard David DeCastro (Pittsburgh Steelers) contributed to a top-tier rushing attack, and center Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles) facilitated 2,115 team rushing yards while excelling in shotgun protections.[21]Defense
Defensive edge rushers Calais Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Cameron Jordan (New Orleans Saints) terrorized quarterbacks, with Campbell tying for second in the NFL with 14.5 sacks and adding four forced fumbles, while Jordan recorded eight sacks and 11 passes defensed to disrupt passing games.[22] Interior linemen Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) and Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers) dominated the middle, as Donald notched 11 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in a contract-year resurgence, and Heyward contributed 8.5 sacks alongside 73 tackles to bolster Pittsburgh's league-leading defense.[23] Linebackers Chandler Jones (Arizona Cardinals), Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers), and Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks) exemplified coverage and tackling prowess; Jones led the NFL with 17 sacks, Kuechly intercepted two passes with 118 tackles, and Wagner anchored Seattle with 139 tackles and two interceptions as a repeat All-Pro.[22] In the secondary, cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Xavier Rhodes (Minnesota Vikings) shut down top receivers, with Ramsey allowing a league-low 45.8 opponent passer rating and Rhodes holding opponents to under 50% completion; Darius Slay (Detroit Lions) added slot versatility with three interceptions. Safeties Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans) and Harrison Smith (Minnesota Vikings) patrolled the deep field, as Byard led the league with eight interceptions and Smith recorded 79 tackles with two picks.Special Teams
Special teams honorees showcased precision and explosiveness, starting with Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein, who converted 28 of 29 field goals including a 61-yarder, achieving a 96.6% success rate. Rams punter Johnny Hekker, a repeat selection, averaged 47.9 yards per punt with 28 punts inside the 20-yard line, pinning opponents effectively.[24] Los Angeles Rams returner Pharoh Cooper electrified with a 21.2-yard kick return average and one touchdown, while Detroit Lions punt returner Jamal Agnew averaged 15.4 yards with a 102-yard touchdown return. Arizona Cardinals special teamer Budda Baker excelled in coverage units, recording 67 tackles and blocking a punt to ignite the offense.Second-Team Selections
The Associated Press' second-team All-Pro selections for the 2017 NFL season honored players who excelled in their roles but received fewer votes from the 50-member media panel compared to first-team counterparts, often due to slight edges in statistical output or team impact. These selections reflected a competitive year where offensive stars drove high-powered attacks, while defensive standouts anchored playoff contenders. The second team featured a mix of veterans and emerging talents who posted Pro Bowl-caliber numbers, such as double-digit sacks for edge rushers and versatile production from skill-position players.[1]Offense
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Quarterback: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz guided the Eagles to an 11-2 start before a season-ending knee injury, completing 67.9% of his passes for 3,296 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, earning second-team honors behind Tom Brady's MVP campaign despite the abbreviated slate.[1] -
Running Back: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell, who also earned first-team flex honors, rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns on 321 carries while adding 65 receiving yards, showcasing his all-purpose threat but falling short of Todd Gurley's league-leading 1,301 yards and 13 scores.[1] -
Flex: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
As a rookie, Kamara exploded for 1,554 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns (eight rushing, seven receiving), providing dynamic versatility that edged him into second-team status behind Bell's established production.[1] -
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce hauled in 83 passes for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns, serving as a key safety valve for Alex Smith, but was outshone by Rob Gronkowski's 69 catches for 1,084 yards and elite blocking in New England's Super Bowl run.[1] -
Wide Receivers: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons; Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Jones amassed 1,444 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 88 catches, rebounding from injury to lead the Falcons' offense, while Thielen's 91 receptions for 1,276 yards and four scores marked a breakout for the Vikings' passing game; both trailed the unanimous Antonio Brown (1,533 yards) and DeAndre Hopkins (1,378 yards) in voting.[1] -
Offensive Line: David Bakhtiari (LT, Green Bay Packers); Mitchell Schwartz (RT, Kansas City Chiefs), Daryl Williams (RT, Carolina Panthers); Rodger Saffold (LG, [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams)); Zack Martin (RG, Dallas Cowboys); Alex Mack (C, Atlanta Falcons)
Bakhtiari anchored Green Bay's line with zero sacks allowed in pass protection over 630 snaps, Schwartz and Williams provided solid run blocking for top rushing attacks (Chiefs fifth, Panthers 12th in yards per carry), Saffold contributed to the Rams' league-leading offense, Martin excelled in Dallas' zone scheme with minimal pressures allowed, and Mack stabilized Atlanta's interior after midseason arrival—all strong units edged by the first team's dominant protection for MVP-level quarterbacks.[1]
Defense
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Edge Rushers: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings; DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
Griffen recorded 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles while helping Minnesota rank third in total defense, and Lawrence led the NFL with 14.5 sacks en route to Dallas' nine-win improvement, but both were surpassed by Calais Campbell and Cameron Jordan's disruptive impacts (combined 17.5 sacks, 42 QB hits).[1] -
Interior Linemen: Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles; Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cox notched 5.5 sacks and 32 tackles despite a down year by his standards, bolstering Philly's top-ranked defense, while Campbell (also first-team edge) added 14.5 sacks overall for Jacksonville's No. 1 unit; they trailed Aaron Donald's dominant 11 sacks and 15 TFLs.[1][25] -
Linebackers: Von Miller, Denver Broncos; C.J. Mosley, Baltimore Ravens; Telvin Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars
Miller contributed six sacks and elite coverage (two INTs) despite Denver's struggles, Mosley led Baltimore with 11 tackles for loss and 97 stops as the defensive captain, and Smith versatilely tallied 86 tackles and four INTs for the league's top defense—strong showings but behind Chandler Jones, Luke Kuechly, and Bobby Wagner's combined tackling and pass-rush prowess.[1] -
Cornerbacks: Casey Hayward, Los Angeles Chargers; A.J. Bouye, Jacksonville Jaguars
Hayward intercepted five passes and allowed a 50.5 opponent passer rating, anchoring LA's secondary, while Bouye limited foes to 52.6% completion rate with four picks; they were edged by Jalen Ramsey and Xavier Rhodes' shutdown coverage in top defenses.[1] -
Safeties: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks; Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills
Thomas recorded two INTs and 60 tackles in Seattle's Legion of Boom remnants, and Hyde's five picks led the Bills to an 11-win resurgence; both provided rangy play but trailed Kevin Byard and Harrison Smith's interception hauls (eight combined).[1][26] -
Defensive Back: Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings
Rhodes, also a first-team corner, allowed just a 44.1% completion rate and two TDs in coverage, earning the secondary nod for his man-to-man prowess in Minnesota's stout secondary.[1]
Special Teams
Other All-Pro Teams
Pro Football Writers of America Selections
The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) selects its All-NFL team annually through a vote of its membership, consisting of more than 90 pro football writers from newspapers and wire services across the United States.[7] For the 2017 season, the PFWA's panel conducted voting from January 15 to 19, 2018, shortly after the conclusion of the regular season and playoffs, honoring players based on their performance throughout the year.[7] Unlike the Associated Press, which designates first- and second-team selections, the PFWA recognizes only a single All-NFL team, emphasizing top performers without tiered rankings.[7] The 2017 PFWA All-NFL team featured 27 players from 14 different clubs, with the Los Angeles Rams leading with six selections, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles with three each.[7] Six players were repeat selections from the PFWA's 2016 team, while 18 earned their first All-NFL nod, including two rookies: Detroit Lions punt returner Jamal Agnew and Arizona Cardinals special teamer Budda Baker.[7] Notable unique picks compared to the AP team included Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, who topped the PFWA vote at his position with 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.[7][1]Offensive Selections
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Tom Brady | New England Patriots |
| Running Back | Le'Veon Bell | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Running Back | Todd Gurley | Los Angeles Rams |
| Wide Receiver | Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Wide Receiver | DeAndre Hopkins | Houston Texans |
| Tight End | Rob Gronkowski | New England Patriots |
| Offensive Tackle | Andrew Whitworth | Los Angeles Rams |
| Offensive Tackle | Lane Johnson | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Offensive Guard | David DeCastro | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Offensive Guard | Zack Martin | Dallas Cowboys |
| Center | Jason Kelce | Philadelphia Eagles |
Defensive Selections
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Rusher | Calais Campbell | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Edge Rusher | Cameron Jordan | New Orleans Saints |
| Interior Lineman | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams |
| Interior Lineman | Fletcher Cox | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Outside Linebacker | Chandler Jones | Arizona Cardinals |
| Outside Linebacker | Von Miller | Denver Broncos |
| Inside Linebacker | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers |
| Inside Linebacker | Bobby Wagner | Seattle Seahawks |
| Cornerback | Jalen Ramsey | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Cornerback | Xavier Rhodes | Minnesota Vikings |
| Safety | Kevin Byard | Tennessee Titans |
| Safety | Harrison Smith | Minnesota Vikings |
Special Teams Selections
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Placekicker | Greg Zuerlein | Los Angeles Rams |
| Punter | Johnny Hekker | Los Angeles Rams |
| Kick Returner | Pharoh Cooper | Los Angeles Rams |
| Punt Returner | Jamal Agnew | Detroit Lions |
| Special Teamer | Budda Baker | Arizona Cardinals |