The 2014 NFL 6-Week 1st-Team All-Pro Team

With the NFL season more than six weeks old, it's becoming clear who are the best players at each position. As expected, quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers have been among the best players in the league this season. But did anyone see DeMarco Murray turning in a historic pace six games into the season? Who, other than Steve Smith himself, expected such a dominant performance from the 35-year-old Baltimore Ravens receiver? And where have all the great pass-rushers of the last few years gone?

It's been a typically great NFL season with plenty of surprises across the board. Below are my position-by-position All-Pro picks for the 2014 year. 

Quarterback: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers.

Throughout his career, Philip Rivers has always been overshadowed by some of the other great quarterbacks, notably Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. He's even been overshadowed by the other first-round quarterbacks from his own draft class, as Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning have each won two Super Bowls.

But this year, Rivers has been the league's best player and it's really not that close. Despite an offensive line that has allowed the most quarterback hurries (subscription required) in the game, Rivers has thrown for 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He leads the league with a 117.6 passer rating and he has the Chargers tied for the best record in the game. 

Running Back: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys; Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here are DeMarco Murray's projected numbers this season: 424 carries, 2112 yards, 16 touchdowns. He's on pace to break the single-season record for both carries and yards and if he can maintain his historic pace, he has a legitimate chance to win league MVP honors this season. 

Le'Veon Bell has emerged as the best running back in the AFC this season, averaging more than five yards per carry. He's scored just one touchdown but he's on pace for close to 1500 rushing yards. 

Wide Receivers: Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers; Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens. 

There's been a number of terrific players at the receiver position this season, but Green Bay's Jordy Nelson has been the best. He leads the NFL with 632 yards and five touchdowns and his 209-yard game against the New York Jets in Week 2 stands as one of the best individual offensive performances this year. 

Steve Smith, 35, has looked like a man among boys. He's rejuvenated his career in Baltimore, recording 35 catches for 576 yards and four scores in six games. He also leads the league with 13 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus, and of course, he had a memorable showing against his old team, the Carolina Panthers. 

Tight End: Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos.

Here are Peyton Manning's passing numbers when throwing to Julius Thomas this season:

Twenty-four of 29 for 277 yards and nine touchdowns. Enough said. 

Thomas is in the discussion as the best tight end in the game and if he continues his historic pace, he could break every single-season record for tight ends. 

Offensive Tackles: Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns; Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles.

The two best offensive tackles over the past few seasons have been Joe Thomas and Jason Peters. It's only fitting that they're on the All-Pro team midway through the 2014 season. Peters has held together an offensive line that is missing Pro Bowl caliber starters in Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce, while Thomas has allowed just a single quarterback hurry all season. 

Offensive Guards: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens; Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers.

Just like Peters and Thomas at tackle, Marshal Yanda and Josh Sitton have been two of the league's best guards over the past few seasons. Yanda has helped a Ravens' three-headed rushing attack that is actually thriving without Ray Rice, while Sitton incredibly hasn't allowed a single quarterback hurry in six games. 

Center: Nick Mangold, New York Jets.

Pro Football Focus' top-rated center, Nick Mangold earns this spot over Philadelphia's Jason Kelce (injured) and Cleveland's Alex Mack (also injured). Mangold, 30, looks well on his way to earning his sixth Pro Bowl selection. 

Defensive Ends: JJ Watt, Houston Texans; Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants.

JJ Watt has been the best player in the NFL this season and it's really not close. He's an absolute force, a completely unblockable player who can singlehandedly change a game. His performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, when he collected nine quarterback hits and six hurries, is perhaps the most perfect game any defensive player has ever played. Watt should win Defensive Player of the Year easily. He has a legitimate chance at becoming the first defensive player to win league MVP since Lawrence Taylor in 1986. 

Jason Pierre-Paul isn't the pass-rushing force he used to be but he's turned into a complete player. He leads all defensive linemen with 22 tackles to go with two sacks and 15 hurries. 

Defensive Tackles: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions.

Gerald McCoy might be the most underrated player in the league this season. He's a wrecking ball on the defensive line, collecting two sacks and five quarterback hits despite somehow playing with a broken hand.

Suh might be playing the best football he's played since he was a rookie in 2010. In six games, he's registered three sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. 

Outside Linebackers: Von Miller, Denver Broncos; Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs.

Von Miller is back. He's not as explosive as he was during his memorable 2012 season but he's clearly been the best outside linebacker in the league this season. His 19 quarterback hurries are more than the next four 4-3 outside linebackers combined. 

In Kansas City, Justin Houston is thriving, even if the Chiefs aren't. Houston has been a monster in all phases of the game. He's collected six sacks. He's stopping the run. And he's allowed just one completion in pass coverage. 

Inside Linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers; Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys.

Last year's Defensive Player of the Year easily leads all players with 60 tackles this season. He's one of the biggest reasons why the Panthers are on top of the NFC South six games into the year. 

Rolando McClain has emerged as one of the leading candidates for Comeback Player of the Year, as the former failed top-10 overall draft pick has revived his career with the Dallas Cowboys. McClain has collected 25 tackles in six games and his last-minute interception against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks won the Cowboys their fifth game of the season. 

Cornerbacks: Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts; Chris Harris, Denver Broncos.

Neither Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman has been their usual dominant self this season, and Joe Haden and Patrick Peterson have been significantly below average. That leaves Vontae Davis (34.3 passer rating) and Chris Harris (31.9 passer rating) have been as shut down as it gets through six games. Both are a big reason why their team is in first place. 

Safeties: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings; Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles.

Harrison Smith has thrived under new defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer, collecting three interceptions in six games. Malcolm Jenkins has done the same in Philly, also intercepting three passes. He's proven to be the best of the highly sought-after safety free-agent class that included both Jairus Byrd and TJ Ward.