There are many NFL All-Pro teams listed at the end of every NFL season. But it’s a little different when NFL head coaches have total control of deciding who goes on that first-team roster, instead of writers or other media.
Sporting News continues its annual tradition of polling head coaches for their opinions on the best of the best players in the league.
A good number of teams are represented on this year’s All-Pro roster. The Cowboys led all teams with four players. The 49ers, Browns, Packers, Colts, Chiefs and Rams all had multiple players make it, too.
Including offense, defense and special teams, below is the full Sporting News NFL All-Pro Team for 2021:
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Sporting News NFL All-Pro team
OFFENSE
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Rodgers didn’t get the nod as MVP last season, losing out to Patrick Mahomes. He was the best wire-to-wire QB in 2021.
Percentage of QB votes: 50%
RB: Jonathan Taylor, Colts and Joe Mixon, Bengals
Taylor was a no-brainer as the easy leading rusher. Mixon’s big scrimmage and scoring season got him his first nod.
Percentage of RB votes: Taylor 60%, Mixon 30%
WR: Cooper Kupp, Rams and Davante Adams, Packers
Kupp dominated as the triple-crown winner (receptions, yards, TDs). Adams edged out Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and others.
Percentage of WR votes: Kupp 70%, Adams 50%
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Kelce manages to repeat, this time holding off a healthy George Kittle.
Percentage of TE votes: 50%
OT: Trent Williams, 49ers and Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
Williams was even more dominant in repeating this season. Wirfts gets on the board with a big breakout.
Percentage of OT votes: Williams 80%, Wirfs 40%
G: Zack Martin, Cowboys and Joel Bitonio, Browns
Martin got this nod to displace Quenton Nelson. Bitonio repeats for Cleveland.
Percentage of G votes: Martin 60%, Bitonio 40%
C: Jason Kelce, Eagles
Kelce joins his brother in repeating in comfortable fashion.
Percentage of C votes: 40%
DEFENSE
DE: Myles Garrett, Browns and Nick Bosa, 49ers
Garrett gets company from a different Bosa this season, as Nick replaces brother Joey on the edge.
Percentage of DE votes: Garrett 60%, Bosa 70%
DT: Aaron Donald, Rams and Chris Jones, Chiefs
Donald and Jones remain the awesome all-star dynamic duo here.
Percentage of DT votes: Donald 80%, Jones 40%
LB: T.J. Watt, Steelers; Darius Leonard, Colts; and Micah Parsons, Cowboys
Leonard repeats while Watt gets this nod along with SN defensive player of the year. Parsons makes it as a rookie.
Percentage of LB votes: Watt 50%, Leonard 60%, Parsons 60%
CB: Trevon Diggs, Cowboys and Jalen Ramsey, Rams
Diggs’ big interception boom displaced Xavien Howard while Ramsey got named again.
Percentage of CB votes: Diggs 50%, Ramsey 50%
S: Derwin James, Chargers and Kevin Byard, Titans
James had a big healthy season in Los Angeles, while Byard kept on making big plays in Tennessee.
Percentage of S votes: James 50%, Byard 40%
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Justin Tucker, Ravens
Tucker got back up to the No. 1 spot after a quieter 2020.
Percentage of K votes: Tucker 50%
P: Bryan Anger, Cowboys
Anger beat out the Raiders’ A.J. Cole and other strong candidates.
Percentage of P votes: Anger 50%
KR: Kene Nwangwu, Vikings
Nwangu went off on special teams as a rookie reserve.
Percentage of KR votes: Nwangwu 40%
PR: Jakeem Grant, Bears
Grant had a big first season in Chicago, just beating out the Ravens’ Devin Duvernay.
Percentage of PR votes: Grant 40%
