NFL All-Pro Voting 2011: Jimmy Graham and Players Sure to Get Shafted by Media

Voting for All-Pros and Pro Bowlers are two different things. While essentially every great player in the league is voted into the Pro Bowl, only the cream of the crop is selected to the All-Pro team by the media. Because of that, there is almost always controversy with regards to who is deserving and who isn't.

That will be no different this season as there are plenty of positions that have tons of prolific players, but only one or two spots to fill. The beautiful part of the All-Pro team is that it is extremely exclusive, but there will inevitably be mistakes made. Here are three top players sure to be shafted by the media when it comes to selecting the All-Pro team.

Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars

Two running backs make the All-Pro team, so a back with 1,222 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns should be a lock to make it, right? Well, not so fast, as Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is in prime position to be left off the team. While he still has a chance if he finishes the year strong, he is likely behind Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice at the moment.

It's hard to argue with either McCoy or Rice as both men have a nose for the end zone and are heavily involved in the passing game as well, but I believe MJD gets disrespected because of the team he plays for. Some voters may be reluctant to put him on the team because of the Jaguars' ineptitude, but I think the opposite should be true. Jones-Drew is literally all the Jags have on offense, yet he continues to get the job done, so he deserves All-Pro honors.

Steve Smith - Carolina Panthers

In a league with so many great wide receivers and passing attacks, not every wideout can be recognized as an All-Pro. It looks as if two very deserving players in Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will make the All-Pro team this season. That leaves a bunch of elite receivers out in the cold, but none of them deserve it more than Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith.

Smith's career had grown stagnant in recent years and it looked as if he might be done in terms of being a productive NFL player. The arrival of rookie quarterback Cam Newton clearly breathed new life into the veteran receiver, however, as he leads the NFC with 1,217 receiving yards. Without Smith, Newton wouldn't be nearly as good as he is right now, and because of that I believe Smith should get serious consideration.

Jimmy Graham - New Orleans Saints

In perhaps any other year in NFL history, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham would be a shoe in for the tight end spot on the All-Pro team. That simply isn't the case this season, however, as New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski looks to be a lock. Gronkowski has already set the record for touchdown catches by a tight end in a single season with 15, plus he has nearly as many catches and receiving yards as Graham.

With that said, I believe Graham is more of a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses than Gronkowski. While Gronkowski's size and prowess in the red zone make him great, Graham literally runs routes like a receiver and is almost like an extra wide receiver on the field at all times.

I think the best solution would be to allow two tight end representatives. Maybe it wouldn't make sense, but it doesn't make sense for there to be two running backs plus a fullback either, so the Associated Press should make an exception to ensure Graham gets a fair shake.