theScore's 2019 NFL All-Pro team
The 100th NFL season was full of excitement, with several players establishing themselves as bonafide stars.
While the usual suspects pushed for contention on this list, a new generation also made its mark, offering a glimpse into the league's future.
Here are theScore's All-Pro selections for 2019:
* = unanimous selection
QuarterbackLamar Jackson, Ravens*
Was there any other choice? Jackson broke out in a massive way this season, shattering a number of records while emerging as the clear MVP favorite. The second-year passer is the NFL's most dynamic player. He's a home run threat on every play, nearly impossible to tackle in the open field, and is one of the most talented dual-threat quarterbacks we've ever seen. The future of the position - and the league - is bright with Jackson leading the way.
Running back
Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images Sport / GettyChristian McCaffrey, Panthers*
McCaffrey's 2019 season as a runner was already excellent - he had 1,387 yards (averaging 4.8 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns, which were the third- and second-best marks in the NFL, respectively. But the Carolina Panthers superstar also posted magnificent numbers through the air, catching 116 passes for 1,005 yards and four scores. McCaffrey not only led the league in touches (403), total yards (2,392 - third-most ever), and touchdowns (19), but he also became just the third player in NFL history to have a 1,000-1,000 campaign and the first running back ever to top 100 catches in multiple seasons.
Wide receiver
Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyMichael Thomas, Saints*
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Thomas is an easy choice after breaking Marvin Harrison's single-season record for catches, finishing the campaign with 149 grabs for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints star is the ultimate chain-mover and owns the NFL's most reliable hands, having caught an insane 80.5% of his targets.
Even though he missed the final two games with a hamstring injury, Godwin's breakout campaign was too good to ignore despite strong competition. He was a nearly unstoppable downfield threat, averaging 11 yards per target (fourth in the NFL). Godwin's 1,333 receiving yards trailed only Thomas and Julio Jones.
Tight end
Daniel Shirey / Getty Images Sport / GettyGeorge Kittle, 49ers
Though Travis Kelce was a contender for our list, Kittle's campaign was among the best we've seen in recent years from a tight end. The 49ers star led his position in yards after the catch and yards per route run while absolutely dominating opponents in the run game. Kittle is a force as a blocker and was the single most important player in San Francisco's breakout season. He deserves some MVP consideration, too.
FlexJulio Jones, Falcons
It's a testament to Jones' Hall of Fame talent that he could produce his lowest receiving yards (1,394) in a full season since 2012 and still more than deserve a place on the all-time team. The next generation at wide receiver is stacked with talent, but the 30-year-old remains one of the most intimidating forces in the NFL.
Left tackle
Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyRonnie Stanley, Ravens*
Stanley magnificently protected the blind side of quarterback Lamar Jackson this season, not allowing a single sack through 14 games played. He was also a major piece of the offensive line that bolstered the Baltimore Ravens to a league-best 206 rushing yards per contest and 5.5 yards per carry. He received the highest overall grade among left tackles with at least 10 starts (87.2), per PFF.
Left guardQuenton Nelson, Colts*
Nelson was the most hyped offensive linemen prospect of the last decade, and he's arguably exceeded those expectations in his first two seasons. Despite a shock switch from Andrew Luck to the far less experienced Jacoby Brissett, Nelson didn't give up a single sack and allowed just two hits in 15 starts in 2019. But it's the run game where Nelson's in a class of his own. The 23-year-old routinely made defensive linemen look like children, and his dominant play was the key reason for the Colts exceeding 2,000 yards rushing as a team.
Center
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyJason Kelce, Eagles
Kelce is once again the cream of the crop at center. One of the key pieces of Doug Pederson's offense, the two-time All-Pro (likely soon to be three-time) controls everything at the line of scrimmage. Kelce is an adept pass-blocker, but few linemen in the league can match his skills in the run game. When he's got a full head of steam on zone runs or screen passes, there's little defenders can do to stop him.
Right guardBrandon Brooks, Eagles
2019 was a dream season for Brooks. Off the field, he continued to win his battle against anxiety and signed a long-term extension with the Eagles. On the field, he was the league's top interior lineman. Brooks was stellar as a run-blocker and in pass protection, allowing just one sack and 19 total pressures on the year. The 30-year-old truly earned his new deal.
Right tackle
Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / GettyRyan Ramczyk, Saints
An outstanding blocker in his first two seasons, Ramczyk took his game to a truly elite level in 2019. The final first-round pick of the 2017 draft, the Wisconsin product is the game's top right tackle. In 1,058 pass-blocking snaps during the regular season, the 25-year-old allowed just 20 total pressures and didn't surrender a single sack. In a stacked position that has become just as important as protecting the quarterback's blind side, Ramczyk stands above the rest.
Edge rusher
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyChandler Jones, Cardinals*
T.J. Watt, Steelers
Jones continues to be among the most underrated defensive players of the last decade. Although Shaq Barrett took over as the sack leader in the final week, the linebacker's 19 quarterback takedowns this season are still tied for the 18th-most in NFL history.
After two seasons of solid play, Watt exploded out of the shadow of his older brother with a dominant season. In addition to his 14.5 sacks, Watt recorded eight forced fumbles (tied with Jones for the league lead), two interceptions, and nine passes defensed.
Interior linemen
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAaron Donald, Rams*
Cameron Heyward, Steelers
Both Donald and Heyward stood out throughout the entire 2019 season. They both were PFF's highest-graded defensive linemen - and it's not hard to understand why.
The Los Angeles Rams superstar led the league in tackles for loss (20) for the second straight campaign and established the second-best sack mark of his career with 12.5. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year received double-teams - sometimes even triples - creating more space for his teammates, who stepped up with 37.5 combined sacks in 2019 after 20.5 last year.
Heyward recorded new career highs in quarterback hits (22) and tackles (83), as his contribution stopping the run was stellar once again. The Pro Bowler also recorded nine sacks.
Linebacker
Rob Leiter / Getty Images Sport / GettyEric Kendricks, Vikings
Lavonte David, Buccaneers
Luke Kuechly, Panthers
Kendricks has yet to be named to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro squad during his five-year career, but you can bet that will change after an incredible season. The do-it-all linebacker starred in every aspect of the game for the Vikings, playing elite run defense and patrolling the middle of the field in coverage. Kendricks' 12 pass breakups led all linebackers and were the highest mark at his position this decade.
David, meanwhile, hasn't made the Pro Bowl since 2015 and was an All-Pro in 2013. However, this season may have been his best one yet. Leading a Bucs' defense that ranked first against the run, the veteran was a tackling machine who accumulated the third-most stops for loss at his position. David was even better in coverage, shutting down a handful of top-tier tight ends and running backs.
Finally, 2019 was more of what we've come to expect from Kuechly. Cementing his spot as the NFL's most valuable linebacker, he notched 144 tackles and two interceptions while missing just six tackles all year. The all-world defender simply isn't slowing down.
Cornerback
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyStephon Gilmore, Patriots*
Tre'Davious White, Bills
The star of New England's top-ranked defense, Gilmore is among the candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. In a pass-friendly league, the shutdown corner hauled in six interceptions this season and defended a league-leading 20 passes. Opposing quarterbacks are better off throwing away from Gilmore, as they've earned a measly 47.4 passer rating when targeting him.
No slouch in his own right, White also intercepted six passes in 2019 and emerged as the NFL's premier zone cornerback. The former first-round pick eyes the quarterback and anticipates routes at an elite level, defending 17 passes thrown into his coverage. White makes every pass difficult to complete and is the most vital piece of a stout Bills secondary.
Safety
Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyMinkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers
Jamal Adams, Jets
The Pittsburgh Steelers' trade for Fitzpatrick after Week 2 is perhaps the best acquisition of the 2019 season. The former Miami Dolphins safety became a major piece for one of the best defensive units in the league, finishing his 14 games in Pittsburgh with seven forced turnovers and two touchdowns.
Since missing the Pro Bowl in his rookie year, Adams said he would be elected to the event in every other season of his career. The 24-year-old not only did it again for the second consecutive campaign in 2019, but he solidified himself as one of the most complete, all-around defenders in the NFL. He forced two turnovers, scored two touchdowns, and posted a new career high in sacks with 6.5 through 14 games.
Defensive backRichard Sherman, 49ers
At the age of 31, Sherman posted a tremendous campaign in his second year with the 49ers. The veteran has been a pivotal part of Robert Saleh's unpredictable defense, contributing at a high level in both man-to-man and zone coverages. He received PFF's second-highest grade among cornerbacks (minimum 10 games) after amassing three interceptions (one pick-6) and 11 passes defended this year, both personal bests since 2016.
KickerJustin Tucker, Ravens*
Dan Kubus / Getty Images Sport / GettyThanks to the exploits of Lamar Jackson and Co., Tucker's leg didn't get as much work as in recent seasons. While the kicker's 29 field-goal attempts were the fewest of his career, he made them count. Tucker's 96.6% success rate was the second-best of his career. He also nailed 57 out of a career-high 59 extra points.
PunterTress Way, Redskins
Way was the most effective punter in the NFL throughout the 2019 season, averaging 49.6 yards per punt. The 29-year-old placed 30 of his 79 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and his excellent campaign was highlighted by a season-best 79-yard punt.
Kick ReturnerCordarrelle Patterson, Bears
Although Patterson's offensive contributions were limited during his first year in Chicago, the 28-year-old was a workhorse on special teams. He led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 825, and his 29.5 return yards per kickoff topped the NFC.
Punt returnerDeonte Harris, Saints
Harris was an important piece of the Saints' special teams unit this year. The undrafted rookie led the league in punt returns (36), yards (338), combined returns (60), and total return yards (982).
Special teamsMatthew Slater, Patriots
Slater has widely been recognized as one of the NFL's premier special teamers, and he cemented his status again in 2019. The veteran had his first career blocked punt this season.
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