49ers’ Williams, Samuel make All-pro team
Left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Deebo Samuel have made The Associated Press’ Allpro First Team in recognition of their stellar seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.
Nick Bosa? Well, he got snubbed, but at least made it back the playoffs, which start Sunday for the No. 6-seed 49ers at the No. 3-seed Dallas Cowboys.
Bosa, despite a career-high 15 1/2 sacks and a Nfl-leading 31 tackles for loss, garnered only five votes from the AP’S 50-member voting panel. That left him one vote shy of All-pro Second Team honors. T.J. Watt (Steelers, 50 votes) and Myles Garrett (Browns, 29) were the First Team defensive ends, while Robert Quinn (Bears, 9) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders, 6) made Second Team.
If anyone can offer Bosa consolation, it’s Williams, who drew All-pro honors for the first time in his 11 seasons, after making the Pro Bowl his past nine.
Williams, on Thursday, said of the impending All-pro nod: “It’d definitely feel good, finally. I can’t let it define my career because I’ve never made it. If that’s what I need to define my career, then anything I’ve done up to now is hogwash. If I make it, it’s feel good to get a notch if that happens.”
Samuel, in only his third season, made the All-pro First Team with 21 votes, joining two wide receivers who were unanimous selections, Davante Adams (Packers) and Cooper Kupp (Rams).
“He reminds me, from a schematic utilization perspective, of Randall Cobb,” Cowboys coach Mike Mccarthy said this week. “We used Randall in the backfield. There wasn’t anything we couldn’t do with Randall. And I think he is the same way. He’s a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, and also, he can throw the ball.”
Yes, Samuel threw his first career touchdown pass last game, but he made his first All-pro and Pro Bowl by combining his receiving prowess (1,405 yards, six touchdowns) with rushing skills (365 yards, eight touchdowns). He also had three punt returns for a team-best average of 25 yards per return.
“You can see the creativity has no limits with him and their offense,” Mccarthy added.
Added Mike Mcdaniel, the 49ers’ offensive coordinator: “He’s a wise 25, soon to be 26-year-old on Saturday, and he’s getting better and better as we progress. And as a result, the 49ers are getting better as well.”
Linebacker Fred Warner, a First Team All-pro pick last year, was not among the 15 linebackers who received a vote this season.
No one voted, either, for tight end George Kittle, who made First Team All-pro in 2019 and Second Team in 2018.
All-pro that the 49ers will face when they visit the Cowboys are linebacker Micah Parsons, guard Zack Martin, cornerback Trevon Diggs and punter Bryan Anger.
Here is the All-pro voting (*First Team, **Second Team):
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK >> *Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 34; **Tom Brady, Tampa Bay, 16.
RUNNING BACK >> *Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis, 50. (No second team RB)
TIGHT END >> *Mark Andrews, Baltimore, 41; **Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 9.
WIDE RECEIVER >> *Davante Adams, Green Bay, 50; *Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, 50; *Deebo Samuel, San Francisco, 21; **Justin Jefferson, Minnesota, 20; **Ja’marr Chase, Cincinnati, 9.
LEFT TACKLE >> *Trent Williams, San Francisco, 46; **Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers, 2; Orlando Brown Jr., Kansas City, 1; Tyron Smith, Dallas, 1.