NFL All-Pro Team 2020 - Picks Including Aaron Rodgers, Tyreek Hill, Myles Garrett
I don’t have a vote for the NFL All-Pro team. Let’s get that out of the way, this won’t count towards the actual honor.
With that said, while watching tape of the NFL season I am constantly evaluating talent and noting standout performances. This all-pro roster would be my vote for the team if I had a say in the matter, and is based on a combination of film study and advanced stats.
First Team Offense
Quarterback - Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers had a historic season as a passer. He ran away with the title for most passing touchdowns, finishing with 48 to Tom Brady’s 40. He led the league among qualified passers in completion percentages with 70.7%. Somehow, he only tossed 5 interceptions on 526 attempts, leading the league in passer rating (121.5) by a wide margin (Deshaun Watson was second with 112.4). Rodgers should be the 2020 NFL Most Valuable Player.
Running Back - Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry became just the 8th player in the history of the NFL to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, while also leading the league in rushing touchdowns with 17. Henry’s last 4 games looks like a season for most running backs, as he posted 710 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Wide Receiver - Davante Adams
Despite missing a few games early in the season, Davante Adams came back with a vengeance. Adams led the league with 18 touchdowns in just 14 games, also topping the NFL in yards per game with 98.1. Green Bay makes a conscious effort to get Adams the football, and his ability to separate turns into absurd production (77.% completion when targeted, 9.2 yards per target).
Wide Receiver - Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill is arguably the most dangerous threat for NFL offenses currently in the NFL, as his speed needs to be accounted for on every play. Hill’s vertical presence peaked during a midseason game against Tampa Bay, as he put up 261 yards and 3 touchdowns by mid-way through the 3rd quarter.
Flex - Stefon Diggs
The NFL leader in receptions and receiving yards, Stefon Diggs has transformed Buffalo’s offense. His skill-set fits better with Josh Allen than it did with Kirk Cousins, due to Allen’s willingness to push the ball down the field. That has unlocked Diggs’ ceiling, producing 127 receptions for 1,535 yards. On a week 16 nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the divisional-rival New England Patriots, Diggs had 3 touchdowns in his third consecutive 130+ yard game.
Tight End - Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce had one of the most prolific receiving seasons for a tight end in the history of the NFL, finishing second in the NFL with over 1,400 yards.
Left Tackle - Trent Williams
While the San Francisco 49ers didn’t meet expectations, Trent Williams was a standout at left tackle. He allowed just a shade over 1 pressure per game, which is impressive. But even better for Williams was that he was PFF’s leading offensive tackle in run blocking grade.
Left Guard - Ali Marpet
While Ali Marpet only played in 13 games, in a way that improved his candidacy. The Buccaneers offensive line took a noticeable step back with Marpet off the field, but they were steady while he was out there. Over those 13 games played, Marpet didn’t allow a single sack.
Center - Frank Ragnow
Standing out among a poor situation is no easy feat, but that was what Frank Ragnow was able to do in Detroit this season. He played every snap of the 14 games that he appeared in, only missing time due to a fractured throat, and not allowing a sack all season.
Right Guard - Quenton Nelson
This spot could may gone to Wyatt Teller had he played in more than 10 games, but “Q” was his typical elite self for all 16 games this season. Nelson ranked first among offensive guards in ESPN’s metric of Run Blocking Win Rate, and third in Pass Blocking Win Rate.
Right Tackle - Tristan Wirfs
Wirfs’ ascension into this spot has been nothing short of remarkable. With the typical suspects of elite right tackles all struggling with injuries or missing time, Wirfs’ dominant film stacked up better than anyone. He allowed just 1 sack on the season, to Khalil Mack.
First Team Defense
Edge Defender - T.J. Watt
The league leader in sacks and tackles for loss, T.J. Watt was once again a terror for opposing offenses. Watt is the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, chipping in over 40 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, an interceptions and 7 pass breakups.
Edge Defender - Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett put everything together this season, finishing with 12.0 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 14 games. His pass rushing is a combination of raw tools, but a developing toolbox that gives him counters for opposing offensive tackles, finishing third in ESPN Pass Rush Win Rate.
Defensive Tackle - Aaron Donald
Finishing second in the NFL in sacks and tackles for loss for an interior defensive lineman is no small feat, but has become the norm for Aaron Donald. Somehow Donald is able to produce those numbers despite being double-teamed among the most in the NFL.
Defensive Tackle - Chris Jones
Chris Jones didn’t have the eye-popping numbers that he has put up in the past, but his play was as strong as ever. With 7.5 sacks and 28.0 quarterback hits, Jones was a disruptive force for the Chiefs defense. He finished the season with 60 quarterback pressures.
Linebacker - Fred Warner
The best coverage linebacker in the NFL, Warner is tasked with patrolling the middle of the field but only allowed 270 yards and a passer rating of 69.7 on 61 targets (Pro Football Reference). His complete profile including over 118 tackles for the third straight season.
Linebacker - Eric Kendricks
Eric Kendricks ascending into an elite linebacker last season, and that play continued in the 11 games he played this season. His range against the run and in the passing game led to 107 tackles and 3 interceptions while playing all but 1 snap.
Cornerback - Xavien Howard
Xavien Howard led the league in interceptions and passes defended, even more impressive is that his 10 interceptions came in 10 separate games. That type of consistent play-making swung the momentum in the Dolphins favor on a week-to-week basis.
Cornerback - Jalen Ramsey
Despite often shadowing the opposing #1 wide receiver and being thrown at 71 times, Jalen Ramsey surrendered just 50.7% completion, 5.0 yards per target and 2 touchdowns on the season.
Safety - Jessie Bates III
Arguably the rangiest single-high safety in the NFL (15 passes defended), Jessie Bates’s consistency was remarkable on a struggling Bengals defense. When thrown at, he only allowed a passer rating of 70.7, and he has yet to miss a game in his 3-year career.
Safety - Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons continues to rise the ranks of NFL safeties, and finally started to get his deserved recognition after collecting 5 interceptions and a fumble recovery this season. His consistency as a tackler continued, as Simmons had his third straight season with at least 65 solo and 93 total tackles.
Defensive Back - Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick is the perfect selection for the additional defensive back spot, as he is valuable in coverage and as the deep middle safety. He stuffed the stat sheet in 2020, with 4 interceptions including a pick-6, 11 passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 60 solo tackles, and a stingy 50.0% completion percentage allowed.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback - Patrick Mahomes
Running Back - Alvin Kamara
Wide Receiver - Deandre Hopkins
Wide Receiver - DK Metcalf
Flex - Dalvin Cook
Tight End - Darren Waller
Left Tackle - David Bakhtiari
Left Guard - Elgton Jenkins
Center - Ryan Jensen
Right Guard - Wyatt Teller
Right Tackle - Jack Conklin
Second Team Defense
Edge Defender - Za’Darius Smith
Edge Defender - Khalil Mack
Defensive Tackle - DeForest Buckner
Defensive Tackle - Cameron Heyward
Linebacker - Lavonte David
Linebacker - Bobby Wagner
Cornerback - Jaire Alexander
Cornerback - Stephon Gilmore
Safety - Adrian Amos
Safety - Tyrann Mathieu
Defensive Back - James Bradberry
Honorable Mentions (strongly considered) -
QB - Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson
RB - Nick Chubb
WR - Justin Jefferson, Calvin Ridley, A.J. Brown, Allen Robinson
OT - Terron Armstead, Garrett Bolles, Jack Conklin, Ryan Ramczyk
OG - Brandon Scherff, Joel Bitonio, Zack Martin
OC - Corey Linsley, Rodney Hudson, Ryan Kelly
DT - Grady Jarrett, Leonard Williams
EDGE - Demarcus Lawrence, Brian Burns
LB - Myles Jack, Roquan Smith, Zach Cunningham
CB - Bryce Callahan, Marlon Humphrey, Denzel Ward, J.C. Jackson
SAF - John Johnson III, Budda Baker, Jalen Adams