Five takeaways from AP NFL All-Pro Team

The standout players from the 2024 NFL season were recognized on Friday with the release of the Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team.

Here are five takeaways, including some players that got snubbed entirely.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson gets first-team nod over Bills QB Josh Allen

The debate has been on for most of the season as to which quarterback should win the MVP Award. While that is still to be decided, Jackson received 30 first-place votes to Allen’s 18 to make the All-Pro team for the third time.

Jackson has passed for 4,172 yards – already a career-high – a personal-best 41 TDs and only four interceptions. His QBR (77.5) leads the league. Despite losing his top receiver, Stefon Diggs, in a trade to the Houston Texans, Allen has excelled with 3,731 pass yards, 28 TDs and six interceptions. He has an additional 12 rushing TDs and his QBR (77.2) slightly trails Jackson for the best in the NFL.

Both QBs have had phenomenal seasons up to this point. Considering Jackson has the edge in each category and has more passing TDs than Allen has total TDs, it is understandable why he was named a first-team All-Pro once again.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase unanimous selections

Along with Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jefferson and Chase were deservedly named as first-team All-Pros on Friday.

Jefferson had 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 TDs. He topped the century mark five times and had a pair of multi-TD games against the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks. Chase led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and TDs (17). He even went for 264 yards and three TDs in a loss to the Ravens on Nov. 7.

There is no doubt that Jefferson and Chase deserved to be first-team All-Pros. The fact the Bengals even had a shot of making the postseason had a lot to do with excellent QB play from Joe Burrow and the stellar performances from Chase.

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley rides historic season to All-Pro selection; Raiders TE Brock Bowers leads 14 first-timers

It was an incredible debut season with the Philadelphia Eagles for Barkley. With a league-leading 2,005 rush yards and 13 TDs, which ranked eighth, Barkley was only 101 yards away from breaking Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s single-season rush yards record (2,105). Barkley topped 100 rush yards 11 times and garnered 48 of the first-place votes over Ravens RB Derrick Henry to claim the honor.

With 27 first-place votes to San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle’s 22, the rookie Bowers was one of 14 first-time players named as an All-Pro. The rookie out of Georgia amazed with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five TDs. 

His receiving yards broke Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s rookie tight end record of 1,076 in 1961 and he did so on a Raiders team that did not have good QB play and finished with a 4-13 record, which is even more remarkable.

Barkley and Bowers did more than enough to earn their selection after equally impressive campaigns.

Edge-rushers Miles Garrett (Browns), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) make the team after dominant seasons

For the fourth time, Garrett is an All-Pro. With 40 solo tackles, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles, Garrett was a frequent problem for opposing teams. His sacks were second in the league. According to CBS Sports, Garrett set the NFL record by becoming the first player with at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons. That is even more impressive, given the Browns’ consistent struggles.

Much of the same can be said about Hendrickson after recording 33 solo tackles, a league-leading 17.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Hendrickson’s accomplishment stands out even more due to the Bengals’ inability to make the postseason. Had they made it, his defensive prowess would have been on full display for an extended period.

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr., Lions safety Brian Branch, Seahawks DE Leonard Williams snubbed from All-Pro team

In his rookie season, Thomas Jr. had 1,282 receiving yards and 10 TDs. His receiving yards were the third-most in the entire NFL. Branch had 79 solo tackles, one forced fumble, four interceptions and 16 passes defended, which was tied for fifth. 

According to Seattle on Tap, Williams had a better statistical season than the Broncos’ Zach Allen and the Eagles’ Jalen Carter, who each made the second-team. Ultimately, he was left off the team.

Each of those three players did enough to make the All-Pro team. Unfortunately, each of them was left off the team altogether despite worthy seasons that deserved some serious consideration.