It was not that long ago that we looked at Pro Bowl selections and how it may impact future Hall of Fame chances. Personally, we put a lot more stock in Associated Press All Pro Selections, as this is a true statement as to which players are elite in their position in a given NFL season. When a player is considered to be the best at their given skill, that is when a serious statement is being made to get a future bust in Canton, Ohio.
Let’s take a look at the men who were chosen for the First Team All Pro squad and what impact that this should have for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers: (44 of 50 Votes)
At age 31, Aaron Rodgers is making his second First Team All Pro appearance. Rodgers got a bit of a later start, due to playing behind Brett Favre for his first three years. He is considered an elite Quarterback and is building up impressive statistics, especially in terms of efficiency where he has a TD/INT ratio of 226 to 57. Already a two time leader in Quarterback Rating, Rodgers may not have everything needed for Canton, but he is not far away.
DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys (48 of 50 Votes)
This is the first time that Murray has been named to the First Team, and he is coming off his best season where he won his first Rushing Title. This is huge for ant potential Hall of Fame hopes, but there are many Rushing leaders who never got in, and a recent example is Shaun Alexander, who has never even made the Semi-Finals of Hall of Fame voting. There is a lot more work left to do for Murray, but with the improved Cowboys Offensive Line, there should be some hope.
Le’Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers (44 of 50 Votes)
In only Bell’s second season, he has landed his first Pro Bowl and first All Pro. Saying that, we are in an era where Running Backs are considered a dime a dozen. This is a nice start, but there is a good chance that RBs will be held to a different standard. He will need a few of these to enter a serious conversation.
John Kuhn, Fullback, Green Bay Packers (18 of 50 Votes)
A very popular player in Green Bay, but achieving his First All Pro Selection (and a minority one at that) at the age of 32 in a position that doesn’t generate a lot of Hall of Famers anymore, we don’t see this accolade for John Kuhn meaning a whole lot in terms of Canton, Ohio.
Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, New England Patriots (50 of 50 Votes)
“Gronk” is making his second appearance as a First Team All Pro, and the very popular New England Patriot will close in next season on 5,000 Receiving Yards. The unanimous vote is huge for any kind of chances he may have for the Hall of Fame; especially if he can secure a few more Pro Bowl worthy seasons.
Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers (49 of 50 Votes)
This is a huge step for Brown, who earned his first All Pro, and earlier his third Pro Bowl. This is Brown’s best season, where he won the Receiving Yards Title for the first time and was the consensus best Wide Receiver in the NFL, a fictional championship that holding it elevates someone’s future Hall of Fame chances.
Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys (24 of 50 Votes)
Dez Bryant has come a long way as in his first two seasons, controversy surrounded him do numerous off field issues and he appeared to be on the fast track out of the NFL and set to join the list of washed out players who wasted their potential. So much has changed now, as he is coming off his second Pro Bowl and this year, along with his First All Pro Nod, he led the NFL for the first time in Touchdown catches. This is a great step for Bryant.
Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys (35 of 50 Votes)
The much improved Offensive Line of the Dallas Cowboys, showcased Tyron Smith at the Left Tackle position. This is his fourth season and first All Pro Selection and if they can propel this momentum than perhaps we might talk about them in the future.
Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Cleveland Browns (22 of 50 Votes)
Eight seasons, eight Pro Bowls; five of which were First Team All Pro. This season should put Joe Thomas in the Hall of Fame discussion and the bright spot of the Cleveland Browns now has similar resumes of other Offensive Linemen in the Hall. A bigger question now is what could keep him out.
Marshal Yanda, Offensive Guard, Baltimore Ravens (38 of 50 Votes)
This is Yanda’s first such accolade but the 30 year old is coming off his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Realistically, there is probably not enough time left in Yanda’s career to secure enough honors to net a spot in Canton.
Zack Martin, Offensive Guard, Dallas Cowboys (24 of 50 Votes)
Martin is part of the revamped Cowboys Offensive Line and a large part of Dallas’ success this season. He is a rookie, but you can’t ask for a much better start if you are trying to build a Hall of Fame resume.
Maurkice Pouncey, Center, Pittsburgh Steelers (21 of 50 Votes)
Pouncey is coming off his best season and he justifiably secured his second First Team All Pro selection in his five seasons in the NFL. If he duplicates his performance in his next five years, he will be hard to keep out of Canton.
J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Houston Texans (45 of 50 Votes)
It should be noted that Watt received five votes for Defensive Tackle, so he was in fact a unanimous selection. The Houston Texan is regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL, and has been for the last two years. He won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, is expected to win that again this year and is entering his third consecutive First Team All Pro year. As a player who has the “best” mantle he is secured a spot in the discussion no matter what, but the Hall voters to reward longevity, as shown my Terrell Davis’ brilliant but short career and how he has yet to be named a Hall of Fame Finalist.
Mario Williams, Defensive End, Buffalo Bills (24 of 50 Votes)
The former #1 pick overall finally got his first Selection to the First Team All Pro roster. Williams will be playing in his fourth Pro Bowl but he needs some monster seasons in the next three years to get a real shot and escape the “Hall of Very Good.”
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions (41 of 50 Votes)
The controversial and polarizing Defensive Tackle had just received his third First Team All Pro Selection in his five year career. Ndamukong Suh may not be respected for his dirty play, but there is no doubt that he is very talented. If he replicates that again over the next half decade, he should be a Hall of Fame lock.
Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills (24 of 50 Votes)
This is the first First Team All Pro selection for Marcell Dareus who is part of an improving Buffalo Bills defense. Dareus, who also has two Pro Bowls is coming off his best NFL season and if his arc continues he has a very good chance to enter the Hall of Fame conversation.
Justin Houston, Outside Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs (47 of 50 Votes)
Houston is coming off his best season in every statistical way and every visual way and this first First Team All Pro Selection reflects that. Houston also led the NFL in QB Sacks for the first time, and though this stat can be a little misleading, it does hold a lot of weight.
Elvis Dumervil, Outside Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens (13 of 50 Votes)
Elvis Dumervil secured his second First Team All Pro selection (barely, as Von Miller was two votes away), and his first since 2009, where he also won the Sack Title. Dumervil is now 10 Sacks away from 100 and as he may not get enough or another First Team All Pro, he may have to pad some Sack stats to get serious Hall of Fame consideration.
Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Carolina Panthers (43 of 50 Votes)
Luke Kuechly was a First Team All Pro last year also and his first three years in the National Football League has been excellent. Kuechly has easily been the best middle Linebacker in that time frame and when you have that label at one time, all he may need is longevity.
Bobby Wagner, Inside Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks (31 of 50 Votes)
Wagner is consistently improving and securing his first All Pro selection a year after winning the Super Bowl will aid his cause in the future.
Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, New England Patriots (42 of 50 Votes)
Revis Island is back and this marks the fourth time he received this honor and with he has probably done enough to get into the Hall already. However, he is not yet 30, and there is no reason to think he can’t produce a couple more stellar NFL campaigns.
Richard Sherman, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks (41 of 50 Votes)
The most recognizable defensive player in the NFL today has just made it three in a row. A four year career does not a Hall of Fame resume make, but how can anyone deny he is on that path?
Earl Thomas, Safety, Seattle Seahawks (39 of 50 Votes)
Richard Sherman may get all the press, but Earl Thomas is just as important in the Seahawks secondary. Like Sherman, this is his third straight First Team All Pro Selection and all he needs now is the longevity that the Hall covets.
Eric Weddle, Safety, San Diego Chargers (16 of 50 Votes)
This is Weddle’s second First Team All Pro, though this easily could have gone to Thomas’ teammate, Kam Chancellor. Thomas is 29, and while is having a very good career, securing a spot in Canton will be very difficult.
Adam Vinatieri, Place Kicker, Indianapolis Colts (25 of 50 Votes)
Many think that Adam Vinatieri is already a Hall of Famer, but Special Teams players ALWAYS have a hard time getting enshrined. This is his third First Team All Pro selection and he is coming off his best Field Goal Percentage season of his career. This year could be huge for his potential induction.
Adam Jones, Kick Return, Cincinnati Bengals (15 of 50 Votes)
At age 31, this is the first such accolade for the man called “Pac Man”. It was not that long ago when Adam Jones was considered a bust in the making, but he is enjoying the best run of his career. This won’t help him for Canton as he has not done nearly enough for serious consideration.
Pat McAfee, Punter, Indianapolis Colts (25 of 50 Votes)
Pat McAfee is enjoying the best season of his career but look how long it took for Ray Guy to get inducted. This is the first time McAfee got the All Pro, but there will have to be a mantle full of them to get considered.
It is possible to enter Canton without a First Team All Pro nod, but history has shown that it is a huge step towards getting there.
Regardless of whether any of these men get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning a First Team All Pro is something that should be celebreated.
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