theScore's 2023 midseason NFL All-Pro team

At the halfway point of the 2023 campaign, theScore's NFL editors join forces to assemble our midseason All-Pro roster.

* = unanimous selection

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

No quarterback has stayed hot throughout the entire season, meaning four different signal-callers got All-Pro votes. Despite dealing with an inconsistent wide receiver group, Mahomes ranks third in QBR and success rate and fourth in touchdown passes and EPA per play. While the Chiefs star isn't playing the best football of his career, he's still performing at an elite level.

Running back Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers*

McCaffrey has been the NFL's most consistent tailback, and it's not particularly close. The 27-year-old has rushed for a league-high 652 yards (4.8 per carry) and nine touchdowns to go along with 292 yards and four scores on 32 receptions. His 13 TDs lead the NFL. More impressively, he's scored at least one touchdown in a record 17 straight games.

Wide receiver

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins*
A.J. Brown, Eagles*

When Hill shared his audacious goal in the offseason of being the first receiver in NFL history to surpass 2,000 receiving yards in a single year, many scoffed. But after posting a league-leading 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 119.6 yards per game in nine outings, few still doubt Hill's ambitions. Affectionately known as "Cheetah," Miami's star wideout keeps defensive coordinators awake wondering how to slow down the elite speedster from breezing past their defenses.

Brown imposes his will on the opposition every time he steps on the field. The 6-foot-1, 226-pound receiver set a new league record with six games with 125 or more yards, and his 1,005 receiving yards rank only behind Hill in the league. The elite chemistry between Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia's dynamic pass-catcher has Brown on pace to chase the single-season receiving yard record held by Calvin Johnson (1,964).

Tight end Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Travis Kelce, Chiefs*

With defenses honing in on him more than ever, Kelce remains the top dog at tight end in the NFL. The 34-year-old missed the opener with a knee injury and later played through an ankle sprain, but he still ranks first at his position in yards (597), second in catches (57), and third in touchdown receptions (four).

Flex

Stefon Diggs, Bills

Diggs has been one of the best wide receivers in the league over the last few years, and he's arguably having a career year. The 29-year-old has 400 more receiving yards than the second-leading Bills receiver. He leads the league in receptions with 70, and his 97 targets are tied with Hill for the most in the NFL through nine games.

Offensive tackle

Jordan Mailata, Eagles
Penei Sewell, Lions

Mailata didn't know how to play football five years ago. Now, he's one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. The converted rugby star has blossomed into a freak athlete for the Eagles. His ability to get in space in the run game and hold off pass-rushers makes him a top-five pass- and run-blocker. His 96.9 game grade in Week 2 is the highest grade PFF has dished out to an offensive lineman since 2010.

If you follow Lions ball carriers, you'll often see the 6-foot-5, 335-pound Sewell decleating defenders. Sewell is a well-known bulldozer in the run game, but he's also played 572 snaps and not allowed a sack this campaign. The 23-year-old has shown that he can play left tackle, too: he protected Jared Goff's blind side for 136 snaps this year when Taylor Decker missed time with injury.

Guard Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Tyler Smith, Cowboys
Chris Lindstrom, Falcons

Smith hasn't just been one of Dallas' best offensive linemen this year - he's been one of the best run-blockers across the entire league. The only offensive lineman with a higher PFF run-blocking grade is Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. Despite his reputation as a run-blocker, Smith has also only allowed one sack this season.

Atlanta is averaging 344.3 total yards per game this season, and that's in large part due to Lindstrom's ability to remove defenses' interior playmakers. Lindstrom helped prevent Commanders defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne from registering a tackle for loss or sack in Week 6.

Center

Jason Kelce, Eagles

At 36 years old, Kelce continues to escape Father Time and play at a high level. He anchors one of the NFL's best offensive lines and has only allowed one sack since Week 6 of the 2021 season.

Edge rusher

Myles Garrett, Browns*
T.J. Watt, Steelers

Garrett has been playing like a man possessed in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's scheme. The four-time Pro Bowler not only looks set to add another Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod to his resume, but he's in the conversation to win Defensive Player of the Year, too. With 9.5 sacks, Garrett is just a half sack away from sharing the top spot in the NFL. He does lead the league in forced fumbles (four) and pass-rush win rate, per PFF.

After an injury-ravaged 2022 season, Watt has come back with a vengeance. The former Defensive Player of the Year is on pace to finish with 20 sacks after notching 9.5 in his first eight games. His level of play goes way beyond just getting after the quarterback, though. Watt has also flashed his ability in coverage with one interception. Add in three forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown, and Watt has an impeccable case for the midseason All-Pro team.

Interior defensive line Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Aaron Donald, Rams
Dexter Lawrence, Giants

Donald battled injuries in 2022 and had a subpar campaign by his standards, but the seven-time All-Pro put his game back on the right track this season. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has racked up 37 tackles (11 for loss), 13 QB hits, 5.5 sacks, and 40 pressures in nine games. At 32, Donald remains football's most unstoppable interior lineman.

Lawrence is following up his breakout 2022 season with a spectacular campaign. The 2019 first-round pick, who's been a solid run defender since entering the league, continues to make big plays as a pass-rusher. In addition to 14 QB hits and three sacks, Lawrence's 44 total pressures lead all defensive linemen this season.

Linebacker

Fred Warner, 49ers*
Roquan Smith, Ravens*
Demario Davis, Saints

It's impossible to overlook Warner when watching the 49ers - he uses his instincts and physicality to constantly harass offenses. The box score from his masterclass against the Cowboys in Week 5 looked like a complete bingo card: eight tackles, an interception, a deflection, a forced fumble, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit.

While Cleveland's defense has held opposing offenses to slightly fewer yards per game, Smith and Co. easily lead the league in points allowed per contest at just 13.8. The 26-year-old has been a stalwart over the middle, allowing just 6.7 yards per reception as the closest defender and missing just four tackles.

While we reached a consensus on our first two linebacker picks, three different linebackers received votes for the third slot. Davis ultimately earned the spot as the anchor to a defense that ranks eighth in points surrendered and seventh in yards allowed per contest. The 34-year-old leads the team in tackles (65) and is second in both sacks (three) and tackles for loss (five).

Cornerback Jane Gershovich / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks
DaRon Bland, Cowboys

It speaks volumes for a rookie like Witherspoon to crack the midseason All-Pro team, though you'd hardly be able to tell it's his first exposure to an NFL environment watching him play. The fifth overall pick has blanketed whoever has been given the misfortune of lining up opposite him. So far, quarterbacks targeting Witherspoon have completed just 46.2% of their throws for a passer rating of 56.7, per PFF. Opposing teams would be better off ignoring Witherspoon Island like it's the Bermuda Triangle.

There hasn't been a more electrifying defensive player through the first half of the season than Bland. The Cowboys corner has done a terrific job patching up the void left by Trevon Diggs, snagging four interceptions and returning a league-leading three of them for touchdowns. But that's not the only reason Bland cracked our list. PFF's fourth-highest-graded cornerback is allowing a passer rating of 33.8. For comparison, constantly throwing passes into the ground would provide a passer rating of 39.6.

Safety

Geno Stone, Ravens
Jessie Bates, Falcons

At the start of the season, Geno Stone wasn't a name many outside of Baltimore would've known. Now, the former seventh-round pick is leading the NFL with six interceptions in just nine games, including one in each of the last four contests.

Bates has been earning every dollar of the $64-million free-agent deal the Falcons signed him to this past offseason. As PFF's top-ranked safety, he has produced three interceptions and 60 total tackles while being one of the main reasons Atlanta is allowing just 6.1 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive back

Jevon Holland, Dolphins

Holland has really shined in the back end of the Dolphins' secondary by holding opponents to 16 receptions while not surrendering a touchdown through eight games. Holland's coverage ability has become his calling card. He also has a penchant for making big plays, recording three forced fumbles and two tackles for loss. He's second on the team with 60 tackles.

Kicker Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Harrison Butker, Chiefs

Butker is having a monster season for the defending Super Bowl champions. He hasn't missed a field goal or extra point in 40 attempts this year.

Punter

A.J. Cole, Raiders

Led by Cole, Las Vegas boasts one of football's premier special teams units. The two-time Pro Bowler is averaging 52 yards per punt, as well as 47.3 net yards per attempt - the highest mark in the league.

Return specialist

Rashid Shaheed, Saints

Shaheed boasts a league-high 19.3 yards per catch average, but it's the second-year star's explosive capabilities in the return game that earn him an All-Pro nod. Shaheed posted a 15.4 punt return yard average and is one of just four players to have returned a punt to the house this season.

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