2014 All-Pro Teams Analysis of the full rosters

When historians and researchers study an NFL player's career, it's not the number of selections that carry the most weight. Landing a spot on the All-Pro first team has always been more prestigious, as well as a more accurate sign of a player's value during that season.The voting proce s isn't perfect (especially ), but the list often does a respectable job of accomplishing its primary goal: listing the cream of the crop at each NFL position.The 2014 All-Pro squad was announced on Friday. Here is our position-by-position breakdown:OffenseQuarterbackFirst team:, Green Bay, 44.Second team:, Dallas, 3.Others receiving votes:, New England, 2; , Indianapolis, 1. received all 50 votes last year. Rodgers might have been the unanimous choice this season if his counting numbers weren't deflated by so many games that ended by halftime in Lambeau Field. With apologies to Romo's career year in a run-first offense, Rodgers was alone atop the NFL at quarterback in 2014.Running backsFirst team:, Dallas, 48; , Pittsburgh, 44.Second team:, Seattle, 7. (One voter selected only one running back.)This was an easy choice. The surprise is that Murray was not a unanimous selection after leading the NFL in rushing and breaking records for most consecutive 100-yard performances to start a season. As stellar as Lynch was in carrying the ' offense, Bell was the best all-around back in football this year.FullbackFirst team:, Green Bay, Ben Gamel Jersey 18.Second team:, Kansas City, 14.Others receiving votes:, Oakland, 12; , San Francisco, 3; , Seattle, 1; , Baltimore, 1. (One voter did not select a fullback.)Perhaps it's time to do away with All-Pro acknowledgment for a position that is going the way of the dinosaur. Kuhn got the nod because writers recognize and apparently love the Lambeau Field's "Kuuuuhn!" cheer. An afterthought in most offensive packages, he participated in just 18 percent of the ' snaps this season. of the is the Kuhn ideal made real. Sherman is a worthy second-team selection.Tight endFirst team:, New England, 50.No other tight end received a vote because Gronk's hegemony over the position is undisputed. "," as NFL Media's quipped, Gronk's first five NFL seasons are the by any tight Boone Logan Jersey end in NFL history.Wide receiversFirst team:, Pittsburgh, 49; , Dallas, 24.Second team:, Green Bay, 15; , Denver, 11.Others receiving votes: Jr., , 1.It's a mild surprise that didn't receive a single vote, but it's hard to quibble with the top four vote-getters. Brown has to be on the first team as a nod to his consistency. Even if Nelson has the strongest argument for the other spot, Bryant carried the ' aerial attack and came up with huge catches in key situations while leading the league in touchdowns. Thomas can be as unstoppable as any receiver when he's not hampered by nagging injuries. made one ballot.TacklesFirst team:, Dallas, 35; , Cleveland, 22.Second team:, Cincinnati, 14; , Philadelphia, 12.Others receiving votes:, Denver, 4; , New England, 3; , San Francisco, 3; , Baltimore, 2; , Washington, 1; , Philadelphia, 1; , Arizona, 1; , Green Bay, 1; , Denver, 1.Former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride believes Smith is the of all the ' MVP candidates. With quick feet and elite athleticism calling to mind r Anthony Munoz, Smith will be a mainstay on this list. Whitworth didn't allow a single sack and only one quarterback hit all year, per Pro Football Focus; he was more deserving than Thomas. of the should have been the recipient of more than two votes.GuardsFirst team:, Baltimore, 38; , Dallas, 24.Second team:, Green Bay, 22; , Chicago, 5.Others receiving votes:, San Francisco, 4; , Philadelphia, 2; , New Orleans, 2; , Cleveland, 1; , New England, 1; , Seattle, 1.Yanda was the premier offensive lineman in the game this season, teaming with left guard to pave the way for 's surprising breakout season. Martin is the only rookie to earn All-Pro recognition, . Alex Wilson Jersey Sitton keyed the best offensive line of ' career.CenterFirst team:, Pittsburgh, 21.Second team:, Dallas, 14.Others receiving votes:, , 7; , Philadelphia, 5; , Green Bay, 1; , Kansas City, 1; , Carolina, 1.Pouncey gets decorated after each season regardle s if he plays well. This was perhaps his best season. Frederick has more than justified Dallas' decision to "reach" for him in the first round of the . of the enjoyed an excellent bounce-back season of his own.PlacekickerFirst team:, Indianapolis, 25.Second team:, New England, 21.Others receiving votes:, Atlanta, 1; , Dallas, 1; , Arizona, 1; , Baltimore, 1.Vinatieri went without a mi s until the season finale. In watching all season, though, of the was the league's best kicker.Kick ReturnerFirst team:, Cincinnati, 17.Second team:, Philadelphia, 15.Others receiving votes:, Atlanta, 14; , Baltimore, 3; , Kansas City, 1.I spent the Christmas break in Cincinnati, where the outrage over Jones' snub was palpable. The Queen City faithful can take solace in Pacman's All-Pro selection after finishing in the top three in kickoff- and punt-return average.DefenseEndsFirst team:, Houston, 45; , Buffalo, 24.Second team:, Arizona, 11; , Philadelphia, 5.Others receiving votes:, Miami, 5; , Seattle, 3; , Baltimore, 3; , Minnesota, 1; , Buffalo, 1; , St. Louis, 1; , , 1.Watt joined Gronkowski as the only unanimous selections, but five voters opted to place him at defensive tackle for his dominance on the interior in subpackages. Watt's last three seasons are the . Campbell deserved a first-team nod for holding Arizona's injury-depleted defense together, but Williams' furious finish lit up more boxscores. It's nice to see Cox get recognition after of the . , and the ' duo of and all enjoyed standout seasons.TacklesFirst team:, Detroit, 41; , Buffalo, Mike Moustakas Jersey 24.Second team:, Tampa Bay, 13; , Houston, 5.Others receiving votes:, Buffalo, 4; , St. Louis, 4; , , 4; , Jacksonville, 2; , Philadelphia, 2; , Arizona, 1.Gregg Rosenthal believes McCoy was this year's biggest first-team snub because there's no better interior pa s rusher. Suh was the linchpin on one of the of the past 25 years and a ferocious pa s rusher in his own right. Dareus was the dominant player on the league's most disruptive defensive line.Outside linebackersFirst team:, Kansas City, 47; , Baltimore, 13.Second team:, Denver, 11; , Philadelphia, 11.Others receiving votes:, Detroit, 7; , Green Bay, 5; , Washington, 3; , Tampa Bay, 2; , Baltimore, 1.Voters are guilty of using the sacks list as a cheat sheet. Although Houston was deserving of a unanimous selection, Miller was robbed in the second spot. He's a difference-maker in the run game whereas Dumervil is a situational pa s rusher. From the beginning of October to the end of November, Barwin was an absolute terror for the .Inside linebackerFirst team:, Carolina, 43; , Seattle, 31.Second team:, Baltimore, 9; , Detroit, 4; , Pittsburgh, 4.Others receiving votes:, New England, 2; , New England, 2; , Indianapolis, 1; , Denver, 1; , Green Bay, 1; , Arizona, 1; , Philadelphia 1.Eleven voters understood that Levy was in the league. They just couldn't agree on his position. Kuechly has been the best middle linebacker in football for two years running. Wagner isn't far behind, taking his game to another level. His five mi sed games didn't trouble the voters.CornerbacksFirst team:, New England, 42; , Seattle, 41.Second team: Jr., Denver, 9; , Miami, 4.Others receiving votes:, Indianapolis, 2; , Denver, 1; , Cleveland, 1.It's fitting that Revis and Sherman top the list, as they were the NFL's best at shutting down top receivers. handles that role for the , but it's still a pleasant surprise to see Harris rewarded for posting the league's best opposing pa ser rating. deserved more votes but lacked Grimes' . might have earned a spot if the September game film was burned.SafetiesFirst team:, Seattle, 39; , San Diego, 16.Second team:, Seattle, 14; , Detroit, 13.Others receiving votes:, Minnesota Brent Suter Jersey , 7; , San Francisco, 5; , New England, 2; , Cleveland, 2; , Oakland, 1; , Arizona, 1.As the key to the for three consecutive seasons, Thomas is a worthy succe sor to Ed Reed and as the consensus top safety. Still just 25 years old, he now has four All-Pro nods and five s under his belt. Weddle enjoyed a typically excellent season, but we would have preferred of the as the other first-team safety. Playing through an ankle injury, Chancellor was actually a liability for a significant portion of the season.PunterFirst team:, Indianapolis, 26.Second team:, St. Louis, 12.Others receiving votes:, Baltimore, 8; , Cincinnati, 2; , Jacksonville, 1. (One voter did not select a punter.)We are in a golden age of punting, and McAfee is a maestro. Hekker is right on his heels. This one was easy.Below is a table of the first and second teams' depth charts:The latest Around The NFL Podcast and predicts who will advance. Find more Around The NFL content on .