49ers’ Williams, Samuel are first team All-Pros
Trent Williams, 33, the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history and a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, is finally a member of an Associated Press All-Pro team.
The 49ers’ left tackle and his teammate, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, were both selected first-team All-Pros on Friday by the AP’s 50 voters. It marked the first time the 49ers had multiple players voted to the first team since 2012, when they had six.
Williams is the first 49ers offensive tackle voted to the first team since Harris Barton in 1993. Samuel is the first 49ers wideout voted to the first team since Terrell Owens in 2001.
This season, Williams earned the highest overall Pro Football Focus grade (98.2) by any player since PFF began its grading system in 2006. Samuel became the first player in NFL history with at least 1,200 receiving yards (1,405) and 300 rushing yards (365) in the same season. His 14 touchdowns were the most by a 49er since Owens had 14 in 2002.
The honor was particularly meaningful to Williams given his wait. Despite his longtime status as one of the NFL’s top players at his position, he had never been even a second-team All-Pro in his first 10 seasons.
Williams was asked Thursday about potentially filling the hole in his resume by being named an All-Pro, a more exclusive honor than a Pro Bowl distinction.
“I think it would feel good. Finally,” Williams said. “It sucks because I can’t let it define my career because I’ve never made it. If I felt like that’s what I needed to define my career, then anything I’ve done up until now is really hogwash. … I’ve been disappointed year after year after year. So it’s really come to a point where I’m almost numb to it.”
The only other 49er to receive an All-Pro vote was defensive end Nick Bosa, who finished fifth among edge rushers with five votes (the top four were All-Pros). Bosa ranked fourth in the NFL with 15.5 sacks after returning from serious knee injury.
“I think Bosa should definitely be there, there’s no doubt about that,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I don’t think people appreciate how good Bosa is, play in and play out. I’ve heard people talk about him for Comeback Player of the Year. And every time they say that I can’t believe he hasn’t been mentioned for Defensive Player of the Year.”