clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Julio Jones is the only Falcon on the Pro Football Writers of America's All-NFL Team

Julio Jones deserves his first-team honors on the PFWA All-NFL Team, but some other Falcons probably warranted consideration.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Pro Football Writers of America released their roster for this year's All-NFL team, and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was honored with a first-team selection. Jones joins Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown on the roster. Brown and Jones led the league in receptions this season with 136 each, and Jones' 1,871 receiving yards led the league in 2015.

Jones was the only Falcons player acknowledged by the PFWA in this way. They don't have a fullback category, otherwise Patrick DiMarco should have garnered serious consideration, but there's no way anyone is voting for DiMarco over running backs. The running backs selected by PFWA writers were Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. They topped the league respectively in rushing yards, making them logical choices over Devonta Freeman. If Freeman's early productivity had been sustainable and his blocking had held up, he would have been a lock.

Johnny Hekker of the (formerly) St. Louis Rams was named to the All-NFL roster as the punter, and Matt Bosher probably should have at least been considered. Bosher doesn't get nearly the amount of recognition he deserves.

The Carolina Panthers led the league, with quarterback Cam Newton, center Ryan Kalil, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and cornerback Josh Norman all making the list. Only Martin from the Buccaneers made the cut. The Saints had zero players honored on the All-NFL team.

Pro Football Writers of America also compiles an All-NFC Team, and Julio Jones was again named to the first team on that roster. The Panthers dominated that selection, with Newton, Kalil and tight end Greg Olsen all representing the offense and Kuechly, Norman, defensive tackle Kawann Short and outside linebacker Thomas Davis named to the All-NFC squad. The Bucs had Martin and outside linebacker Lavonte David represented on the All-NFC list.

The complete rosters for the All-NFL and All-NFC squads can be found below.

2015 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM

Offense

QB – Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

RB – Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

TE – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

C – Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers

G – Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

Defense

DE – Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

DT – Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams

OLB – Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; Von Miller, Denver Broncos

MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

CB – Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals

Special Teams

PK – Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

P – Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams

KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles

ST – Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals

2015 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM

Offense

QB – Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

RB – Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

WR – Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

TE – Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

C – Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers

G – Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers

T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Trent Williams, Washington Redskins

Defense

DE – Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions; Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks

DT – Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams; Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers

OLB – Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

CB – Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

S – Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals; Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks

Special Teams

PK – Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys

P – Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams

KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles

ST – Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals

Which Falcons do you think should have made the cut?