Selecting the 2021-22 NFL All-Pro Teams: Offense

Here are my selections for this season's All-Pros

The Associated Press (AP) votes each year to select All-Pro teams for the NFL season. These First and Second Teams consist of the best players at their positions for the respective year. The teams carry significant weight. Some players have financial incentives in their contracts tied to All-Pro selections. They’re also a major talking point when discussing which players deserve enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I don’t always agree with who the AP voters select for the All-Pro teams. Coincidentally, I don’t have a vote, and I likely never will, but I still want to join the fun. So here are my All-Pro selections for the 2021 season on offense.

I’ve included an honorable mention category for each position to give some other great performances love and let readers know my general thought process.

I will eventually get around to reading your thoughts, complaints, and compliments if you leave them in the comment section below this post, but the easiest way to reach me is on Twitter @Sam_Teets33.

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Offensive Selections

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Second Team: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Honorable Mention: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Rodgers is probably my choice for MVP this season despite having a noticeably statistically worse year than during his 2020 MVP campaign. Unfortunately, no one else rose to the occasion and made a case strong enough to unseat Rodgers, who battled through this year largely without his best linemen, David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.

Among qualified quarterbacks, Rodgers finished third in completion percentage, fourth in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) offensive grading, and first in passer rating. Another historic touchdown to interception ratio (37:4) sealed the deal.

While not the most efficient, Brady has all of the volume stats this season. He led the NFL in pass attempts (719), completions (485), yards (5,316), and touchdowns (43). His 12 interceptions tripled Rodger’s total, but the Packers quarterback attempted 188 fewer passes.

Brady ranks in the top ten for completion percentage and passer rating, and he has PFF’s highest offensive grade among quarterbacks.

I could’ve re-arranged the top three quarterbacks in any order and came out with a good argument. Burrow should get MVP votes and might even finish second in the process. He was PFF’s highest-graded passer this year and second-highest offensive graded quarterback.

The young Bengal also led the NFL in completion percentage (only qualified quarterback over 70%), was third in yards per game, second in passer rating (trailing Rodgers by 3.6 points), and was the only quarterback with over 30 passing touchdowns to attempt under 521 throws. Burrow had 520 attempts. Kirk Cousins (561) and Dak Prescott (596) were the next closest quarterbacks.

Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Second Team: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Honorable Mentions: James Conner/Joe Mixon

Along with Cooper Kupp, Taylor is one of the few non-quarterbacks in the running for major offensive awards. The second-year running back led the NFL with 332 attempts, 1,811 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 2,171 yards from scrimmage, and 20 rushing/receiving touchdowns. Only Derrick Henry, who hasn’t played since October, averaged more rushing yards per game.   

According to PFF, Taylor also led the league in yards after contact (with over 300 more than the next closest back), forced missed tackles, runs of ten or more yards, and first downs.

Chubb finished second in yards after contact and runs of ten or more yards this season. His 1,259 rushing yards also ranked second despite the fourth-year superstar only attempting the eighth-most carries. Chubb’s 5.5 yards per attempt tied with Taylor for the most among the league’s top-20 leaders in rushing yards.

Mixon deserves respect for finishing third in the NFL with 1,205 yards, but he had fewer explosive plays than Chubb and Taylor. Meanwhile, Conner recorded the second-most rushing touchdowns (15) and third-most total rushing/receiving touchdowns (18) despite only having two more touches than Henry and nine fewer than Chubb.

Wide Receiver: Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

Second Team: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Honorable Mention: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Adams is the most complete wide receiver in football, offering excellent route running and a frame sturdy enough to excel in contested catch situations. Playing with Aaron Rodgers boosts Adams’ production, but he has the world-class talent to transform any offense. The former second-round pick finished second in receptions (123), third in receiving yards (1,553), and fifth in receiving touchdowns (11) this year.

Jefferson is an excellent player in his own right, but an overload at wide receiver makes it impossible to justify giving him a First-Team selection. He settles for Second-Team honors for the second time in his short career. The 22-year-old quietly produced seven 100-yard games, contributing to his second-place 1,616 yards.

Chase is a difficult case to handle. No one can cover the rookie on his best days. However, Chase ranks towards the league’s top in drops and had five games with under 40 receiving yards this season. The other receivers I selected for the All-Pro teams had four such games combined.

Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Second Team: Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Honorable Mention: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

Kupp is one of the top candidates in the Offensive Player of the Year race. He won the wide receiver triple crown with 145 receptions (next closest 123), 1,947 yards (next closest 1,616), and 16 touchdowns (next closest 14). Having a somewhat consistent presence at quarterback allowed Kupp to capitalize on the massive potential he flashed in his 2019 breakout season.

I debated inserting Samuel as a Flex, but I believe he’s more than deserving of recognition at his native position. According to ESPN, Samuel finished fifth in receiving yards (1,405) despite ranking 23rd in targets. His 87.8 receiving yards per game finished fourth in the league, only trailing the three previously mentioned All-Pro selections.

Samuel separated himself from players like Chase and Tyreek Hill by contributing 365 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. His 1,770 yards from scrimmage only trailed Kupp and Taylor, while his 14 rushing/receiving touchdowns are tied with Mike Evans for the second-most among receivers.

Hill gets an honorable mention for quietly amassing 111 receptions, 1,239 yards, and nine touchdowns (all top-ten marks for wide receivers) in a year where Kansas City’s offense struggled pushing the ball downfield.

Tight End: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Second Team: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Honorable Mention: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

At tight end, the First-Team All-Pro debate came down to Andrews and Kelce. Outside of Kyle Pitts, Andrews and Kelce were the only players at their position with over 1,000 yards this season. It could’ve gone either way, but Andrews played in one more game than Kelce, and that gives him the statistical advantage.

Andrews finished the year with 107 receptions, 1,361 yards, and nine touchdowns, which all ranked among the top ten for all pass catchers. Kelce’s 92 receptions, 1,125 yards, and nine touchdowns ranked in the top 15.

Kittle saw 94 targets this year. According to ESPN, that’s 59 fewer targets than Andrews and 40 fewer than Kelce. Four other tight ends (Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki, Pitts, and Dalton Schultz) had at least ten more targets than Kittle.

Despite missing three games and not receiving an elite workload, Kittle finished fourth among tight ends with 910 receiving yards. We also know he’s one of the league’s most enthusiastic blocking tight ends.

Flex: Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Second Team: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Honorable Mentions: Najee Harris/Cordarrelle Patterson/Hunter Renfrow

Not to toot my own horn, but Ekeler was my first-round pick in fantasy football this year. The Chargers running back was a stud this season, totaling 1,558 yards from scrimmage (911 rushing and 647 receiving) and tying Jonathan Taylor for the most rushing/receiving touchdowns with 20.

Taylor and Cleveland’s Nick Chubb were the only players among the top 20 leaders in touches to average more yards per touch (5.8) than Ekeler’s 5.6.

I had to find a way to include Chase. Someone like Cordarrelle Patterson might better fit the definition of a “flex” player, but Chase was the only player to produce over 1,200 yards from scrimmage with under 100 touches (88). For context, 22 players crossed the 1,200-yard threshold. Only six of those players, including Chase, had under 130 touches.

Patterson had a breakout season, amassing 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. He was one of a few players with over 500 rushing and receiving yards, but his numbers didn’t reach All-Pro heights.

Harris led the NFL with 381 touches and finished fourth for rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. However, he reached those heights on poor efficiency.

Renfrow crossed my mind since he’s one of the game’s most outstanding slot receivers. He fits the mold of a “flex” well but only finished 21st in receiving yards despite tying for ninth in receptions.

Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Second Team: Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Honorable Mentions: Jordan Mailata/Rashawn Slater/Andrew Whitworth

Williams had an immaculate season. He missed two games, but the 33-year-old put together a year that could seriously unlock the doors to Canton one day. Williams allowed 16 pressures and one sack on 508 pass blocking snaps. He also took full advantage of playing in San Francisco’s offense, demolishing opponents in the running game.

Williams was PFF’s highest-graded tackle with a 98.3. Smith was the next closest tackle with a 91.9, but he played almost 200 fewer snaps. Williams also led tackles in PFF grading last season. His 2021 mark was the highest grade given out by PFF in the company’s history (grades date back to 2006).

Smith looked like he was declining late in the 2010s, but the potential future Hall of Fame left tackle brought his career back in 2021. Injuries prevented Smith from playing in six games this season, but he was nothing short of elite in those appearances. He allowed 11 pressures and two sacks in 460 pass blocking snaps.

Slater was exceptional for a rookie, but he allowed 26 pressures and four sacks. In comparison, Mailata surrendered 20 pressures and three sacks during his breakout season. The 6'8'' goliath played over 200 fewer snaps than Slater, but he was a man among boys in the running game.

Whitworth was the final player I considered for this spot. The 40-year-old former All-Pro appeared in 15 games, allowing 16 pressures and five sacks. He was PFF’s highest-graded pass blocking tackle.

I wish some of these guys played right tackle because that spot was far less contentious.

Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Second Team: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Honorable Mention: Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bitonio was PFF’s second-highest graded guard, only trailing future Hall of Famer Zack Martin. The 30-year-old former second-round pick hasn’t missed a start since 2016, and he’s earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in three consecutive seasons. Quenton Nelson missing time and having a down year overall opens the top spot for Bitonio.

Bitonio allowed 17 pressures and two sacks in 2021. He even played over 100 snaps at left tackle during weeks 15 and 16 because of COVID-19. Bitonio, who played left tackle in college for Nevada, only allowed three pressures and one sack during those games.

Thuney was an excellent addition for the Chiefs. He’ll likely never run block at an elite level, but the former Patriot excels in pass protection. He yielded 16 pressures and just one sack on over 800 pass blocking snaps with Kansas City. Marpet, who appears as an honorable mention for this spot, Martin, Trai Turner, and Kevin Zeitler were the only other guards to play over 700 snaps in pass protection and allow 20 or fewer pressures.

Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Second Team: Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers

Honorable Mention: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

Linsley and Frank Ragnow were the All-Pro centers in 2020. Unfortunately, Ragnow missed most of the season, but Linsley maintained his standout play despite changing teams. He played more snaps than in 2020 and might’ve even had a better overall year, but there’s no doubt who deserves the First-Team spot.

Humphrey entered the NFL as a second-round pick less than ten months ago. He’s on the verge of earning one of the greatest individual honors available to a center at the pro level. Humphrey stood at the center of a significantly improved Chiefs offensive line. He outperformed major offseason additions like Orlando Brown Jr. and Joe Thuney by only allowing ten pressures and one sack.

For context, Humphrey played more pass blocking snaps than any center in football (805). Of the centers with at least 600 pass blocking snaps, only Linsley (724 pass protection reps) allowed ten or fewer pressures.

Kelce and J.C. Tretter deserve recognition for their own great years. Kelce’s revival after it looked like old age was collapsing his game last season is a storyline that’s not getting enough coverage.

Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

Second Team: Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns

Honorable Mention: Shaq Mason, New England Patriots

Martin was PFF’s highest-graded guard, but you don’t need numbers to understand the 31-year-old’s dominance. He’s the consummate Hall of Fame guard of this era. Possessing skill surpassing Jahri Evans, Logan Mankins, Quenton Nelson, and Marshal Yanda, Martin is in the discussion for a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.

Martin’s only season in his now eight-year career without an All-Pro selection came in 2020, when he missed six games. He allowed 19 pressures and one sack this season on over 1,100 snaps and 688 reps in pass protection.

I had some reservations about giving Teller the Second-Team spot after he opened the season poorly. However, the former fifth-round pick hit a hot streak toward the end of the year. He surrendered 24 pressures and four sacks throughout the season.

Teller is primarily a run blocking specialist, making his higher pressure totals not alarming. That being said, Chris Lindstrom, Mason, and Kevin Zeitler almost overtook Teller for this position.

Right Tackle: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Second Team: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Honorable Mention: Taylor Moton, Carolina Panthers

Wirfs was PFF’s highest-graded pure right tackle last year. He didn’t make the All-Pro team. The voters have a chance to correct their mistake this year by giving Wirfs the First-Team nod in a landslide. The second-year tackle once again led all right tackles with at least 600 snaps in grading.

Despite occasionally getting his butt whooped by Cameron Jordan, Wirfs stood his ground against some borderline elite NFC South pass rushers. The Iowa product allowed 14 pressures and two sacks on nearly 800 reps in pass protection. No other tackle (left or right) had more pass blocking snaps. 

Johnson missed a good chunk of the season. He only appeared in 13 games, which marks his single-season high over the past three years. When healthy and available, Johnson is one of the league’s elite right tackle options. He allowed 11 pressures and no sacks in 2021. Even if Johnson spent 1,000 reps in pass protection this season, he would’ve only allowed 26 pressures.

La'el Collins, Jack Conklin, and Ryan Ramczyk missed significant time, damaging their chances of earning honorable mentions. I thought about Braden Smith from Indianapolis but ultimately landed on Moton because he only gave up one sack on just over 700 pass blocking reps.