Can it be that we’re already eight weeks through the NFL season? Well we are, and a number of teams find themselves at the midway point in their quest for successful records.
But which players have made themselves stand out from the pack? Well, we’re going to tell you with our always controversial Mid-Season All-Pro Team.
As ever, these are compiled by our team of analysts that have watched every player on every play of every game.
That’s just how we do it.
Offense
Quarterback: Matt Ryan, ATL (+23.8)
It’s been quite the start to the year for Ryan who is only fourth in our rankings, but having played a game less (thanks to the bye) and with fewer attempts than the guys above him he was an easy choice. With an adjusted accuracy % of 78.2% and a 17 to 6 TD to INT ratio, his career-year is going as well as anyone expected.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (NE), Eli Manning (NYG) and Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Running Back: Adrian Peterson, MIN (+13.6)
The scary thing about this selection? It doesn’t even account for his remarkable comeback from an injury many said would leave him a different player. His 28 forced missed tackles and 5.1 yards per carry make a mockery of that. It was close between him and the ridiculously productive C.J. Spiller, while Alfred Morris can consider himself unlucky not to grab an honorable mention.
Honorable Mentions: C.J. Spiller (BUF), Ray Rice (BLT) and Marshawn Lynch (SEA)
Full Back: Henry Hynoski, NYG (+6.4)
With Vonta Leach slowing down in recent weeks and James Casey more noted for his receiving, it was easy choice to plump for the dependable Hynoski.
Honorable Mentions: Jerome Felton (MIN) and James Casey (HST)
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, NE (+17.4)
Vernon Davis may feel aggrieved, but with only one spot we couldn’t ignore the 580 yards, seven touchdowns and excellent run blocking of ‘The Gronk’. In all honesty, both men are miles in front of the rest of the competition and deserve credit for their all-around play.
Honorable Mentions: Vernon Davis (SF) and Heath Miller (PIT)
Wide Receivers: Percy Harvin, MIN (+17.7) and Reggie Wayne, IND (+17.0)
Is there a more explosive offensive player in the league than Harvin right now? He’s forced 21 missed tackles on his 60 receptions. The next most is nine. Joining him, Reggie Wayne just about edges out the competition with his receiver-leading 757 yards. His performance against Green Bay remains one of the highlights of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Roddy White (ATL), Vincent Jackson (TB) and Brandon Marshall (CHI)
Tackles: Duane Brown, HST (+18.3) and Sebastian Vollmer, NE (+15.8)
Time goes on and Brown still hasn’t given up a sack since the 2010 season. But he’s more than just an excellent pass protector, he’s also a fine run blocker who has the agility to make things happen in the Texans' zone blocking scheme. Joining him is Vollmer as the designated right tackle. He hasn’t impressed like some left tackles, but he’s performed admirably for New England in giving up just one sack, one hit and 12 hurries in eight games.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Staley (SF), Ryan Clady (DEN) and Branden Albert (KC)
Guards: Evan Mathis, PHI (+17.4) and Marshal Yanda, BLT (+16.0)
In a different world Mathis would have accepted the contract offer from the Ravens and Baltimore would own the most dominant set of guards in the league. As it is they don’t that honor belongs to San Francisco, but having Yanda on any team is grounds for celebration.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Iupati (SF) and Alex Boone (SF )
Center: Mike Pouncey, MIA (+17.4)
While he’s given up just one hit and hurry, Pouncey gets the nod over some serious competition because of his excellent work in the run game. The sophomore has been every bit the stud he was drafted to be.
Honorable Mentions: John Sullivan (MIN) and Jonathan Goodwin (SF)
Click Page 2 for the Defense
Defense
Defensive Front 4-3
Defensive Ends: Cameron Wake, MIA (+30.0) and Chandler Jones, NE (+14.3)
Is there a more dominant pass rusher in the NFL right now than Wake? He’s already up to 48 combined sacks, hits and hurries and is constantly terrorizing right tackles across the league. Joining him is another AFC East defensive end, with the consistency of Jones impressive. It’s not just his work rushing the passer (34 quarterback disruptions) but some active work in the run game.
Honorable Mentions: Jason Pierre-Paul (NYG), John Abraham (ATL) and Brian Robison (MIN)
Defensive Tackle: Geno Atkins, CIN (+23.3) and Gerald McCoy, TB (+15.9)
There isn’t a tackle better at getting up field than Atkins, who already has 27 quarterback disruptions on the year to go with 15 further defensive stops. He’s joined by the underrated McCoy whose return to health has coincided with a massive improvement in the Buccaneers' defense.
Honorable Mentions: Randy Starks (MIA), Richard Seymour (OAK) and Kyle Williams (BUF)
Linebackers: Von Miller, DEN (+38.5), DeMeco Ryans, PHI (+13.7) and Jerod Mayo, NE (+13.6)
It may seem early to say it, but it’s hard to see a day when Miller, assuming he’s healthy, doesn’t make one of these All-Pro teams. Whether it be rushing the passer or in run defense (where’s he improved this year) he’s a class apart. The other outside linebacker is Mayo who, after years of being overrated, has become somewhat underrated. In between them Ryans has really added something to the Eagles' run defense.
Honorable Mentions: Bobby Wagner (SEA), Philip Wheeler (OAK) and Lance Briggs (CHI)
Defensive Front 3-4
Defensive Line: J.J. Watt, HST (+44.5), Aubrayo Franklin, SD (+4.0) and Calais Campbell, ARZ (+18.0)
In the most obvious selection of the whole thing, J.J. Watt is the starting left end. He’s defining the position with a level of dominance not even Justin Smith managed over the past few years — 10 batted passes, 28 QB disruptions and 31 total defensive stops. It makes the numbers Campbell is putting up look insignificant, though they are anything but, as the Cardinals’ right end having another stellar season. Franklin isn’t playing as he did in San Francisco, but his work down the road in San Diego should be garnering more attention. He’s playing well at a position that isn’t stocked as it once was.
Honorable Mentions: Muhammad Wilkerson (NYJ), Haloti Ngata (BLT) and Justin Smith (SF)
Outside Linebackers: Clay Matthews, GB (+13.9) and Justin Houston, KC (+14.4)
To some it will be crazy that DeMarcus Ware isn’t here. But he’s not having the impact in the passing game that he’s had previously, and those seven penalties have you shaking your head. Instead, the duo of Matthews and Houston get the nod. Matthews already has 36 sacks, hits and hurries combined on the year, while Houston is turning himself into one of the most complete linebackers in the game. If only KC would get him rushing the passer more.
Honorable Mentions: Ahmad Brooks (SF) and DeMarcus Ware (DAL)
Inside Linebackers: Patrick Willis, SF (+13.7) and NaVorro Bowman, SF (+12.5)
The hardest decision out there. It was near impossible to leave Daryl Washington and his eight sacks off the team, but he can at times be a little erratic in the run game and has a tendency to miss tackles (11), which puts him a whisker behind the 49ers' duo. Both men have shown their versatility with some excellent play going backwards and coming forwards. If Sean Lee was still healthy he’d be in consideration as well.
Honorable Mentions: Daryl Washington (ARZ)
Cornerbacks: Charles Tillman, CHI (+10.7) and Richard Sherman, SEA (+9.4)
The work Tillman was able to do on Calvin Johnson highlighted how underappreciated a cornerback he is. Meanwhile Optimus Prime, or Richard Sherman to give him his birth name, already has three picks and six pass break ups this year. No sophomore slump here.
Honorable Mentions: Antoine Winfield (MIN), Casey Hayward (GB) and Alterraun Verner (TEN)
Safeties: Eric Weddle, SD (+13.0) and Jairus Byrd, BUF (+10.5)
Weddle was a slam-dunk pick with his exceptional all-around play making him stand out from the crowd. With Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu aging, is now the time to crown him the league’s best? Byrd’s work in coverage is second-to-none and he oozes playmaking ability. A real game-changer at the safety position.
Honorable Mentions: T.J. Ward (CLV), Dashon Goldson (SF) and Reshad Jones (MIA)
Special Teams
Kicker: Greg Zuerlein (SL)
Punter: Andy Lee (SF)
Kick Returner: Percy Harvin (MIN)
Punt Returner: Javier Arenas (KC)
Special Teamers: Jimmy Wilson (MIA) and Corey Graham (BLT)
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