Bleacher Report's Regular-Season NFL All-Pro Team Predictions

A player must be the absolute best at his craft to earn an All-Pro nod. 

Bleacher Report's NFL writers surveyed the NFL landscape and identified those players considered the most dominant at their respective positions to earn preseason All-Pro selections.

The players chosen range from established elite performers to upstarts ready to break out and even one superstar eager to re-establish himself as the game's top running back. 

Obstacles will get in the way both on and off the field, but certain players will overcome and prove themselves as the best of the best. 

As a young suburban kid who moved to California in the summer of 1984 once learned: 

"

Try to believe, though the going gets rough that you gotta hang tough to make it. History repeats itself. Try and you’ll succeed. Never doubt that you’re the one, and you can have your dreams.

You’re the best around. Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down.

"

Of course, these are merely predictions. They won't be perfect, and other players will rise to the occasion this season.

Still, this is the best team Bleacher Report's writers could imagine with the start of the 2015 NFL season looming.

Quarterback

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Winner: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (4 votes)

To be the man, you've got to beat the man. And right now, the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is still the man. As the NFL's reigning MVP, Rodgers is the league's best player while playing the game's most important position. 

As Tom Brady and Peyton Manning continue to do their things and young gunslingers such as Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson achieve unprecedented early success, Rodgers is at the point in his career when he's playing at a higher level than anyone else. 

Last season, Green Bay's quarterback completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns and only five interceptions. 

Like in any other profession, mastery of one's position is usually accompanied by familiarity. 

Former NFL MVP and current television analyst Rich Gannon stressed the importance of continuity for Rodgers and his recent success, per the MMQB's Peter King: 

"

Aaron is master of his domain. I am convinced one of the big reasons is that he has not changed systems or anything significant about his approach for 10 straight seasons. For a quarterback, that’s huge. Just look at Alex Smith. Six different systems in his first seven years. And you wonder why he got off to such a bad start in his career?

"

Rodgers also presents the type of physical tools Smith and many other quarterbacks lack. The Cal product displays uncanny accuracy from inside and outside the pocket, efficient mobility, and the ability to make any throw. 

He is the entire package at quarterback, which is a major reason it will be difficult for another player to take his place as the game's top signal-caller. 

Others receiving votes: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (3 votes); Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)

Running Back

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Winners: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (6 votes); Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (3 votes)

He's back. 

Adrian Peterson played in only one game last season before being suspended and eventually landing on the NFL's exempt/commissioner's permission list. 

The 30-year-old running back is only two years removed from the second-greatest rushing season in NFL history. After running for 2,097 yards in 2012, Peterson gained 1,266 yards and scored 10 touchdowns the following season. 

Many don't believe Father Time is ready to catch up with the transcendent talent. Peterson, who missed most of last season, is ready to get back on the field and dominate again. 

"It’s going to be special," Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace said, per Vikings.com's Craig Peters. "He's going to be a guy tweaking to get on the field. He hasn't played in over a year and is one of the best players the game has ever seen, so I’m excited just like everybody else."

While Peterson established himself as the favorite to earn an All-Pro nod, six other running backs received at least one vote each. There are multiple backs in the league capable of monster seasons. 

The Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles received the second slot, though, after serving as the team's workhorse the past three seasons. In fact, Charles averaged 298 touches during that time. 

Despite the heavy workload, Charles expects to be better than ever this season, per Chiefs.com's Pete Sweeney:

"

I can't get the years back. I'm on my eighth year in the league, and I want it to be the best I ever had. Every year, I try to approach differently. I'm 28 years old. When I look back when I'm 29, I will have no regrets from when I was 28. I'd like to say I played my best when I'm 28.

"

The NFL may now be a passing league, but plenty of talent and dynamic playmakers still reside at running back, starting with Peterson and Charles. 

Others receiving votes: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes); Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (2 votes); LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills (1 vote); DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote); Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (1 vote)

Fullback

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Winner: Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore Ravens (7 votes)

What separates Kyle Juszczyk from other fullbacks is his versatility. He is a competent blocker and a legitimate outlet receiver. 

He was a collegiate tight end, but the Baltimore Ravens immediately transitioned the Harvard graduate to fullback after selecting him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. 

The move worked out well for both parties even though it took a season for Juszczyk to establish himself as the team's starter. As a rookie, the former tight end served as Vonta Leach's backup. By 2014, Juszczyk proved to be the perfect fit in Gary Kubiak's offensive scheme. 

The second-year fullback caught 19 passes for 182 yards last year. 

"The Baltimore Ravens Kyle Juszczyk led all fullbacks in 2014 by averaging 9.4 yards after the catch," Pro Football Focus tweeted. 

Juszczyk was named a Pro Bowl alternative after last season's performance. 

The Ravens also own one of the NFL's top rushing attacks, and the fullback leads the way. With Marc Trestman taking over as the team's new offensive coordinator this season, Juszczyk could be given an even bigger role in the offense.

Fullbacks aren't a dying breed in the NFL, but they're asked to do more than serve as lead blockers. 

Others receiving votes: Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers (1 vote)

Tight End

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Winner: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (5 votes)

When it comes to being the best, no tight end stacks up with the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski. 

"Playing now, he's the best tight end in football," Hall of Fame tight end and current NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe told the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe. "There’s no debating that."

The 26-year-old Gronkowski may one day step away from the game as the greatest tight end to ever play. 

"I think he is already one of the best tight ends you’re going to say that ever played the game," former New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro told Howe. "If you want to say he’s the greatest of all time, that just remains to be seen. Does he have the potential to do it? Absolutely."

A complete skill set separates the man known as Gronk from his contemporaries.

At 6'6" and 265 pounds, Gronkowski isn't simply one of the games best receiving targets. Yes, he caught 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. But he can also dominate a defender at the point of attack as a blocker. 

"I guess he’s a throwback, but I hate that it’s being called a throwback now when it’s actually the definition of the position," future Hall of Fame tight end and television analyst Tony Gonzalez told Howe. "You’re supposed to block and you’re supposed to catch. ... I love the tight ends who can come in and both block and catch because it helps (the team)."

Complete tight ends are rare in today's NFL. Gronkowski isn't simply Tom Brady's favorite target; he's also going to bury someone if asked to do so in the blocking scheme. This approach places him above the rest. 

Others receiving votes: Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes); Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (1 vote)

Wide Receiver

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Winners: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (6 votes); Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (5 votes)

In a league where bigger usually means better, particularly at the wide receiver position, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown continues to produce at an elite level. 

Brown led the NFL with 129 receptions and 1,698 receiving yards during the 2014 season. He also owns two ongoing streaks he hopes to extend during Thursday's contest against the New England Patriots.

The Steelers wide receiver caught at least five passes for 50 or more yards in 33 straight games. He also has 11 consecutive contests with at least seven catches for 70 or more yards. Both are NFL records. 

Brown's production is off the charts, especially for a 5'10", 181-pound wide receiver. But his growing bond with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger indicates he might see even more targets this season. 

"I think we’ve been learning each other for some time now," Brown said, per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. "He’s grown trust in me. Understanding route concepts, maturing off the field. From this summer, we learn how to be with each other through thick and thin, and where he wants me to be at all times."

It's hard to fathom Brown and Roethlisberger being even better than they were last year, but Brown did fall two targets short of being the league's most targeted wide receiver (behind Demaryius Thomas' 184 targets). 

While Brown's streaks will eventually end, it won't be because the Steelers aren't trying to get him the ball.

As Brown continues to impress by putting in extra work, the Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant is a freak of nature who doesn't need the extra reps during training camp to shine. This is good for Dallas, as Bryant missed most of the preseason with a strained hamstring. 

At 6'2' and 220 pounds with gazelle-like leaping ability and massive hands to pluck a football out of the air, Bryant is the NFL's best red-zone target among wide receivers. The Oklahoma State product led the league with 16 receiving touchdowns last season. He finished his year with 88 receptions for 1,320 receiving yards. 

Whether they're big or small, Brown's and Bryant's production and skills speak for themselves. 

Others receiving votes: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (3 votes); Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (2 votes)

Offensive Tackle

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Winners:  Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys (8 votes); Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns (7 votes)

Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas is the safest bet in professional football. In eight seasons, the offensive lineman has been named to seven All-Pro teams and eight Pro Bowls. The only year Thomas didn't make an All-Pro squad came during his rookie campaign. 

Thomas also owns the NFL's longest active streak of consecutive snaps played with 7,059, per ClevelandBrowns.com's Kevin Jones. 

The streak is even more impressive considering Thomas revealed he has dealt with three strained or torn ligaments and two high ankle sprains during his career, per the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich: 

"

You just suck it up. You’re a lineman. The great thing about being a lineman is you need to be quick and fast, but you don’t need to be that quick and fast. So if you lose a little bit because you’re hurt, it doesn’t hurt you that bad. You can make it up with technique.

"

Thomas is building a Hall of Fame resume, but he's not the NFL's most physically talented left tackle. The Dallas Cowboys' Tyron Smith is. 

While Thomas is the game's best and most consistent technician, Smith's natural athleticism is off the charts.

"Tyron Smith [displays] so-so mechanics with amazing feet," Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit tweeted. "Good enough for perennial All-Pro performances."

Bleacher Report's voters agree. 

Others receiving votes: Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

Guard

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Winners: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens (8 votes); Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys (3 votes)

Two offensive linemen, Marshal Yanda and Tyron Smith, were unanimous choices among Bleacher Report's All-Pro predictions. 

It's easy to understand the infatuation with Yanda after he dominated at a level no other guard could touch last season. Pro Football Focus graded the Baltimore Ravens blocker as the top guard by a wide margin. There is no reason to expect his play to drop off this year. 

Yanda developed into a star despite playing what he calls the "least glamorous position", per Esquire's Noah Davis:  

"

In the end, we're all important. It takes all five offensive linemen to mesh as a group. Guards are probably the least glamorous. But that doesn't bother me. I'm just happy to be out there, doing my job at a high level. I don't worry about that. But I would agree that it's the least glamorous position—us and the long snapper.

"

Guard might not be glamorous, but many people know exactly who Zack Martin is. After all, the Dallas Cowboys passed on mercurial quarterback Johnny Manziel to select Martin in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

It's safe to say the Cowboys are happy with their selection after Martin was named first-team All-Pro after his rookie season.

Martin seamlessly transitioned from collegiate left tackle to NFL guard and solidified the Cowboys offense with his physical play and dominance along the offensive interior. 

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett raved about Martin and his willingness to improve as a player, per the Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota: 

"

You can just see that he’s someone who strives to get better with every opportunity that he gets. He certainly did that coming off of last year, getting back into the offseason program, throughout the offseason and up to this point in camp. He’s a damn good football player. At this point in his career, I think we all know that, but what makes him really special is his desire to be a great player. He works at it every day.

"

The Cowboys guard dealt with a neck stinger during training camp, but he shouldn't miss any time during the regular season. 

Others receiving votes: Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers (2 votes); Kyle Long, Chicago Bears (1 vote); Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns (1 vote); Evan Mathis (1 vote)

Center

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Winner: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys (7 votes)

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is the best in the business. 

Don't think so? 

Frederick is now the third Cowboys lineman predicted to be an All-Pro performer this season by Bleacher Report's NFL writers. 

The Wisconsin product sets the tone for the entire group by calling out blocking assignments and serving as the point man in the team's ground attack. Pro Football Focus graded Frederick as the game's best run-blocking center. 

When the Cowboys selected Frederick in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, the pick was generally panned. But the Cowboys got the last laugh when Frederick was named an All-Pro performer and a Pro Bowl selection after the 2014 season. 

The 24-year-old center should be honored many more times before his career comes to a close. 

Others receiving votes: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

Defensive End

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Winners: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans (8 votes); Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders (4 votes)

There aren't enough superlatives to accurately describe J.J. Watt's dominance. Instead of trying to do so, let's simply state that he's a defensive wrecking ball of Reggie White proportions. 

No one can block him, and his level of dominance the last few seasons is unparalleled. For example, Pro Football Focus noted his ability to pressure the quarterback is second to none. 

"J.J. Watt had more total pressures in 2014 than Mario Williams and Terrell Suggs...combined," the website tweeted. 

To put that into perspective, Williams is a former No. 1 overall pick, and Suggs is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The two combined for 26.5 sacks last season. 

"He should have been MVP," Hall of Fame pass-rusher Lawrence Taylor said of J.J. Watt, per the MMQB's Jenny Vrentas. "The great ones do it year in and year out...if he stays healthy, he could be an all-timer."

What makes Watt special is his drive to succeed, an unbelievable work ethic and an ability to play all over the field.

"He's just a dominant force that can line up anywhere on the field to wreak havoc coming from any angle," teammate Johnathan Joseph told Vrentas. 

Yeah. He's good. Amazingly good. Of course, he was a unanimous All-Pro selection among Bleacher Report's voters. 

Khalil Mack isn't at Watt's level (yet), but the second-year defender has the potential to dominate his opponents weekly. 

Due to the Oakland Raiders' new defensive scheme, the voters needed to figure out exactly where he is going to play. Mack received votes as both a defensive end and a linebacker. To be fair, he'll play both positions this year, but he's expected to start at defensive end after doing so at strong-side linebacker last season. 

In his rookie campaign, Mack graded better than any other defender in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus. With his move to defensive end, the Buffalo product is now expected be even better. Some teammates think he has already reached elite status, though.

"I have played with some pretty good players...and he is by far the most dominant that I have seen," linebacker Malcolm Smith said, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur. "He has everything you want athletically, smart.

"If he doesn't make all the plays, I know I will get plenty of opportunities."

Both Watt and Mack will make their fair share of plays this year—more than most. 

Others receiving votes: Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills (2 votes); Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams (1 vote); Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs (1 vote)

Defensive Tackle

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Winners: Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams (7 votes); Tie: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3 votes), Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills (3 votes) and Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins (3 votes)

A defensive tackle's job is to create congestion in the middle of the field. Apparently, there are too many defensive tackles who are good at their jobs, as there is a logjam in Bleacher Report's All-Pro voting.

One stood above the rest, even if he's considered undersized at the position.

Aaron Donald stands 6'1" and weighs 285 pounds. He falls on the opposite side of the spectrum as it pertains to prototypical size at defensive tackle, but it has never been a hindrance. In fact, Donald's athleticism, quickness and natural ability to create leverage all feed into his success. 

Last season, Donald's nine sacks were first among rookies and second among all defensive tackles. The rookie even received the best grade of any player at his position from Pro Football Focus.

As scary as it may sound, the second-year defender is expected to be even better this year. St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams placed high expectations on Donald for the 2015 season, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Ben Frederickson: 

"

I really believe he just scratched the surface last year. His understanding of the pro game, his understanding of how we want things done, and some of the freedoms that we allow him to do, to play around him. He’s a rare person instinctive-wise. He’s a rare person intelligence-wise about that position. And he’s a rare person leverage-wise. He plays with great leverage all of the time.

"

As good as Gerald McCoy, Marcell Dareus and Ndamukong Suh are, no one will shortchange Donald this fall. 

Others receiving votes: None

Outside Linebacker

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Winners: Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs (4 votes); Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 votes)

Whenever a defender finishes a season with 20 or more sacks, he's going to demand plenty of attention. 

Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston accumulated a league-leading 22 sacks last season. The Georgia product finished one sack away from setting a new single-season record. 

Houston's game, however, extends beyond his ability to sack the quarterback. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Houston as the fourth-best 3-4 outside linebacker against the run. 

As a result, Houston cashed in with a six-year, $101 million contract extension. Expectations won't change, though, for the talented defender. 

"Houston embraces that," teammate and fellow outside linebacker Tamba Hali said after Houston signed his extension, per ESPN.com's Adam Teicher. "Some guys don't like the pressure but he embraces that. He knows what he can get accomplished. It's not really about his numbers. The focus is really on what we can do as a team."

Houston wasn't the only talented linebacker to sign a monster contract extension during the offseason. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers inked Lavonte David to a five-year, $50.25 million deal. 

David is the game's premier 4-3 weak-side linebacker. He's highly instinctive and recorded at least 100 tackles in each of his first three seasons. 

Pro Football Focus' Jeff Dooley identified just how good David has been since he entered the league: 

"

–His combination of durability and productivity is off the charts, having played 96 percent of snaps to this point in his three-year career, and ranking in the top seven of our grading of 4-3 outside linebackers each season.

–His 228 defensive stops in his career are by far the most of any player at any position over that three-season period.

–His 13.4 run-stop percentage in 2014 was second only to DeAndre Levy — another underrated star who just cashed in — and he was very effective in coverage, as well.

"

Houston and David affect the game in different ways, but both make tremendous impacts for their respective teams and schemes. 

Others receiving votes: Von Miller, Denver Broncos (3 votes); Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders (3 votes); Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins (1 vote); DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions (1 vote)

Inside Linebacker

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Winners: NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers (6 votes); Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks (4 votes)

When NaVorro Bowman takes the field Monday against the Minnesota Vikings, it will be the first time he has played a meaningful snap in 602 days. 

Prior to shredding his knee during the 2014 NFC Championship Game, Bowman had established himself as one of the game's top linebackers. The previous three regular seasons, the Penn State product averaged 109 tackles alongside fellow All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis.

But it's hard to tell exactly how good a player will be upon his return from a major injury. Bleacher Report's voters don't seem to be worried and expect Bowman to excel when he takes the field again. 

Once Bowman is back on the field, though, his role will change. He's no longer the young playmaker in the middle of the defense. With the departures of Willis and Justin Smith, Bowman is now the team's defensive leader. 

The team voted the linebacker a captain, and he's ready for the added responsibility, per USA Today's Lindsay H. Jones: 

"

I became the veteran leader—the older guy—very fast.

I have the wisdom to share with these guys. I can set an example for them of what sort of football we like to play, because we've been spoiled. We kept a group of guys together that played together for so long. We knew the identity that we like to put out there. 

That's my goal—to keep demonstrating and being an example for these young guys we have in the huddle.

"

While the Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner is a fine linebacker and a first-team All-Pro performer in his own right, Bowman's potential recovery from such a devastating injury overshadows the rest of the linebackers who received votes. 

Others receiving votes: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers (3 votes); Jamie Collins, New England Patriots (3 votes)

Cornerback

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Winners:  Darrelle Revis, New York Jets (5 votes); Tie: Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks (4 votes); Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons (4 votes)

Quite a bit of discussion ensued last year regarding who is the game's top cornerback. Some of the banter originated from the cornerbacks themselves.

If Bleacher Report's voting is any indication, "Revis Island" remains the one location the NFL's top wide receivers don't want to go. 

Despite his mercenary ways in recent years, Darrelle Revis continues to stake his claim as the game's No. 1 cornerback.

The four-time first-team All-Pro can handle any wide receiver one-on-one. His ability to do so comes from years of meticulous preparation and an unparalleled work ethic in practice. Of course, natural ability takes over at some point, but it's Revis' attention to detail that separates him from the pack. 

"It’s all about preparation in this game," Revis told ESPN.com's Rich Cimini. "You have to prepare week in, week out." 

Last season, opponents targeted Revis only 79 times despite being on the field for 1,032 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. 

The Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman is always in the conversation regarding the game's top cornerback. If he isn't, he'll start the conversation.

In this case, it's more interesting that the Atlanta Falcons' Desmond Trufant tied Sherman for the second-most votes.

Despite playing on the league's worst defense last season, Trufant stands out from his teammates. But there is one thing holding him back: a lack of interceptions. 

When the Falcons hired Dan Quinn as their new head coach, he called Trufant and told him the main thing his new cornerback needed to work on for the upcoming season. The 24-year-old cornerback recounted the story for the MMQB.com's Robert Klemko: 

"

Pretty much the first thing he said was I need to work on my hands. He said I could’ve had nine interceptions last season, and I agree with that.

I do think that, honestly, I would be considered the best [if he came up with those interceptions]. I know corners who have gotten a lot of interceptions but given up a lot of touchdowns. And I know the opposite. I want to be in a position to make plays, and I know to really become a household name you have to get interceptions.

"

Revis never had more than six interceptions in any given season, and Trufant will grow into a household name whether he gets more picks this season or not. 

Others receiving votes: Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns (2 votes); Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins (1 vote)

Safety

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Winners: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks (6 votes); Tie: Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers (3 votes); Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings (3 votes)

Two safeties—Earl Thomas and Eric Weddle—are considered the standard-bearers at the position. So it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that both names are listed among the preseason favorites to receive All-Pro honors. 

Harrison Smith's inclusion is more surprising. 

While Thomas and Weddle fit today's passing league with their ability to erase plays from the back line of the defense, Smith can play the pass, but he's especially effective against the run. 

Pro Football Focus ranked Smith as the league's most effective run defender at the safety position. 

The Minnesota Vikings safety could even surpass Thomas this season, as the Seahawks defensive back continues to deal with a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. 

Thomas isn't 100 percent healthy for the season, but he plans to play Sunday, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. 

"He’ll have to play without the [preseason] game behind him," Seahawks head coach Peter Carroll said, per Seahawks.com's Tony Drovetto. "But he’s worked so hard. He looks really fast. He’s running great and moving well. I think he’s going to be ready to go, as ready as we can get him at this point."

If Thomas' injury hampers him during the upcoming season, the door then opens for players such as Weddle and Smith to claim All-Pro status.

Others receiving votes: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes); Will Hill, Baltimore Ravens (1 vote); Calvin Pryor, New York Jets (1 vote)

Special Teams

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Kicker: Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys (4 votes)

Whenever a kicker receives an NFL honor, it's inextricably tied to the performance of his offense. A kicker needs his offense to put him in position to attempt field goals and extra points. The Dallas Cowboys own one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, and Bailey claims one of the NFL's biggest legs. It only makes sense to target Bailey as the top All-Pro candidate at kicker. 

Others receiving votes: Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers (2 votes); Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (2 votes)

Punter: Tie: Andy Lee, Cleveland Browns (4 votes); Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams (4 votes)

Punting comes down to three skills: distance, hang time and ball control. Last season, Lee and Hekker each averaged more than 46 yards per punt. Their net average fell between 39 and 43 yards per punt. Hekker finished third in the NFL with 33 punts inside the 20-yard line. Lee will also be a vital part of the Browns roster this season after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers. 

Others receiving votes: None

Kick/Punt Returner: De'Anthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs (5 votes)

The voters have spoken, and they expect De'Anthony Thomas to experience a breakthrough campaign after teasing everyone during his rookie season. Last year, Thomas averaged 30.6 yards per kick return. The Oregon product is electric in the open field, and he should be even better during his second season.

Others receiving votes: Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons (3 votes)