Rams stock All-Pro list with six first-team picks
The stunning turnaround by the Jacksonville Jaguars shows best in the NFL standings — and on the AllPro Team.
Rarely do the Jags have someone make the elite squad, but for the 2017 season, they have two among the first-team selections: edge rusher Calais Campbell and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
“It’s huge,” Campbell said. “That’s a big testament to the work we put in. We don’t just show up and perform. We grind day in and day out to be the best. This defense is very special, so I’m glad to see us get some accolades for our hard work.”
The Associated Press announced the team, as selected by a national panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league, on Friday.
“I can go on and on about corners I respect and I think are really good in the league,” Ramsey said. “But I think (the voters) realize that I cover (each team’s best wide receiver) every week, that I’m still putting up high numbers, still playing very well in my role and doing what I have to do.”
What Campbell and Ramsey did was help the Jaguars rank first in passing defense and second overall while earning the franchise’s first playoff berth since the 2007 season.
Antonio Brown was the only unanimous choice for All-Pro. The brilliant wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared on all 50 ballots despite missing the past two games with an ankle injury. He was among four players to make an AllPro squad for the fourth time, joining New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker.
The repeaters from 2016 were Brown; Rams interior defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who got 49 votes; Rams punter Hekker; and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is an All-Pro for the third time.
In their own turnaround season, the Rams led the way with six All-Pros on the first team, including two more specialists: kicker Greg Zuerlein and kick returner Pharoh Cooper. Running back Todd Gurley and left tackle Andrew Whitworth were honored as well.
“Dang, that’s crazy. It means a lot, honestly,” said Gurley, who likely would have led the league in rushing had he played in the regular-season finale. “It’s a blessing. I’ve got so much respect for everybody in this league, and to be in this position just means so much to me.
“I’ve been following people around the NFL my whole life, and to be considered as an All-Pro, man, God is good, honestly. Honestly.”
Three Steelers joined Brown on the roster: Le’Veon Bell as the flex player, interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward and right guard David DeCastro. No other team had more than two All-Pros, with the stronger NFC getting 18 players and the AFC 10.
Two rookies made it: punt returner Jamal Agnew of the Detroit Lions and special teams standout Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals.
Also chosen: Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce; Panthers left guard Andrew Norwell; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins; New Orleans Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan; Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Harrison Smith; Lions defensive back Darius Slay; and Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard.
First-time selections made an impression on both sides of the ball, with 15 on the first team: Agnew, Baker, Byard, Campbell, Cooper, Hopkins, Gurley, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kelce, Norwell, Ramsey, Rhodes and Slay.
Wagner is on his third All-Pro squad. Jordan finally got there in his seventh NFL season.
“I’m definitely trying to push myself to be better than I was the year previous,” Jordan said. “I think I had a really good year last year. Of course, sack numbers won’t show that, but in terms of playing the run, in terms of getting after the passer, I thought last year was one of my better years (7.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss).
“So what I wanted to do this year is, of course, push myself to be better than last. That probably only poses the problem of where I go next year. Now I’ve got to shoot for more than what I did this year.”
The Atlanta Falcons had two players on the second team: wide receiver Julio Jones, who was an All-Pro first-team pick the previous two years, and center Alex Mack, a second-teamer for the third time.
Titans punter Brett Kern also made the second team.