Travis Kelce and Justin Jefferson are unanimous selections to the Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro Team, and Sauce Gardner is the first rookie cornerback selected in 41 years.
Jefferson “Chiefs” Kelsey and the Vikings received first-team votes on Friday from all 50 members of a national panel of members of the media who regularly cover the league.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, San Francisco 49ers running back Nick Bosa, and Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones each received 49 of the 50 first-team votes. The Chiefs and Niners led the way with four players in the first team.
Gardner, the fourth overall pick by the New York Jets, was selected on all 50 ballots, receiving 43 first place votes. Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott was the last rookie named to the first team in 1981.
“This is a big deal for me,” Gardner told the Associated Press. “It was one of my goals before training camp. It’s something I pray for. I’ve worked so hard for it. It’s definitely a real blessing.”
Kelsey’s older brother, Jason, also earned first-team honors for the fifth time in his career to stay ahead of his award-winning brother. Philadelphia Eagles teammate Jason Kelsey, proper tackled Lyn Johnson, joins him on the team.
“A huge honor, especially happy for (Johnson) who is without a doubt the best tackle in the NFL, especially on the right side,” Jason Kelsey told the Associated Press.
Johnson, the runner-up All-Pro, missed the previous two games with an adductor muscle injury, but hopes to return when the top-seeded Eagles host a playoff round-robin match next week.
“We put a lot of time and effort into the game, especially as you get older, you start to cherish it,” Johnson told the AP.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is among 16 first-time All-Pros. Jacobs led the NFL in rushing with 1,653 yards, scored 12 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. The Raiders had three first-team selections despite finishing 6-11.
“The year certainly didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but individually, it’s an honor to be selected,” Jacobs told the Associated Press.
Jefferson, who caught a league-best 128 passes and 1,809 receiving yards, is another newcomer on offense. Miami’s Tyrek Hill is fourth, third as a receiver. Hill caught 119 catches for 1,710 yards and seven catches in his first season with the Dolphins. Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams got his third nod. Adams had 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 TDs in his first season in Las Vegas.
Cowboys right guard Zach Martin is a six-time All-Pro, and 49ers left fielder Trent Williams and Browns left guard Joel Petonio made it for the second straight season.
Mahomes was also an All-Pro in 2018 when he was NFL MVP. He led the league with 5,250 passing yards and 41 TDs, helping the Chiefs go 14-3 for their seventh straight AFC West title. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurtz had one first-team vote, preventing Mahomes from being a unanimous choice.
Cowboys running back Micah Parsons, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, and Steelers safety Minka Fitzpatrick are the only running back All-Pros on defense. It’s the third time for Fitzpatrick. Parsons, who had 13 and a half sacks, made it as a starting linebacker in his rookie season last year.
Bossa, Jones, Jets defense linebacker Quinn Williams, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, Bills linebacker Matt Milano, Patrick Sartain II, and Niners safety Talanoa Hovanga each earned their first pick.
Bosa led the NFL with 18 1/2 sacks. Williams had 11.
“I tell my wife my goals every day so she can keep me accountable and make sure I’m doing the right thing and become a professional soccer professional,” Williams told the Associated Press. “For this news, all the work I have done has paid off and I must continue to do the same.”
All six special teams players are first basemen as well.
They are: Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend, Packers kick returner Kesian Nixon, Patriots punt returner Marcus Jones, special team captain Jeremy Reeves and Vikings long snapper Andrew DiPaola.
This was the first year of the Associated Press’ new voting system. Voters chose a first team and a second team. The votes of the first team are worth 3 points, and the votes of the second team are worth 1.
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AP Pro football writers Josh Dubo and Dennis Waszak contributed.
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Follow Rob Muaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi
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