The 2023 NFL regular season has concluded, which means it’s time to take stock of the best individual performances of the year. In some cases, that means crediting one of the league’s top players for remaining great. In others, breakout contributions have forced relatively unknown players to the top of the heap.
Who were the league’s most productive players this season? Here is my NFL All-Pro Team for the 2023-24 campaign.
2023-24 NFL All-Pro Team: First-Team NFL All-Pro Offense
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson thrived in first-year Ravens play-caller Todd Monken’s offense, appearing more comfortable as a passer than he had in several seasons. He ranked third in adjusted net yards per attempt (7.34) and fourth in QBR, punctuating his dominant 2023 performance with a five-TD outing against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
Lamar improved as a pocket quarterback but was still a threat on the ground, finishing with 200+ more rushing yards than any other signal-caller.
Running Back: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
The gap between McCaffrey and the rest of the NFL’s running backs may have been the widest delta between the top player at a position in the league and his cohorts in 2023. CMC posted 2,023 yards from scrimmage despite sitting out Week 18; no other RB put up more than 1,600.
His 21 total touchdowns tied for the NFL lead, while he generated more first downs — both in the passing game (31) and the running game (83) — than any other running back.
Wide Receiver: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill led the NFL in receiving yards (1,799) and finished second in receptions (119) and receiving TDs (12), all while running just the 46th-most routes of any wide receiver.
His efficiency was astounding, as his 3.85 yards per route run mark blew the modern record out of the water. If there’s a defining image from the 2023 NFL campaign, it might be Hill streaking down the field, blowing past every defender for a score.
Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
The only player to catch more balls than Hill this season, Lamb built upon his excellent 2022 production to become one of the NFL’s top wideouts in 2023.
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He went over 100 yards receiving in eight games this year, setting a season-high with 13 catches for 227 yards in a critical Week 17 win against the Detroit Lions before managing a 13-98-2 line in the season finale. As the focal point for one of the league’s most dangerous offenses, Lamb is in for a massive contract extension this offseason.
Wide Receiver: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown was electric from Weeks 3-8, managing at least six catches and 130 yards in every game during that stretch while scoring five total touchdowns. While he’s slowed down since then, Brown’s end-of-year numbers are still on par with the NFL’s most effective wideouts. A true physical marvel, Brown remains one of the sport’s most terrifying gamebreakers.
Tight End: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
In a season where Travis Kelce took a step back, and Mark Andrews went down in Week 11, Kittle was the only logical choice at tight end.
Catching passes in San Francisco’s highly-schemed offense, Kittle posted 15.7 yards per reception; Kyle Pitts was the only other TE with at least 40 targets to put up even 12 yards per catch. And let’s not forget that Kittle remains the NFL’s best blocking tight end and could probably play offensive tackle if needed.
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle’s teammate remains the definition of consistency at left tackle. Even at age 35, Williams is still the most effective blindside blocker in the game. Williams is the fulcrum of one of the league’s most well-designed rushing attacks, and he’s arguably the NFL’s best pass protector on a 49ers offensive line that otherwise struggles against opposing rushers.
Right Tackle: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Sewell was already a dominant run blocker entering his third NFL season but took tremendous strides as a pass blocker in 2023, posting standout performances against top-tier defensive ends like Maxx Crosby and Danielle Hunter. Lane Johnson may still be the better player, but the Philadelphia Eagles’ RT missed one complete game and most of another, while Sewell played every snap this year.
Left Guard: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs
Although the Chiefs’ offensive tackles have struggled in 2023, the club’s interior line remains strong. Thuney’s 99% pass block win rate ranks first among guards, and he’s only been penalized twice on more than 1,000 snaps (neither was accepted). Patrick Mahomes is excellent at avoiding pressure, but having a guard like Thuney up front helps.
Right Guard: Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
Like Sewell, Lindstrom had always been a powerful run blocker, but his work in the passing game showed clear improvement in 2023. He allowed just 15 pressures and three sacks on more than 500 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. Lindstrom’s spatial awareness and functional strength make him an asset on the inside of an underrated Falcons offensive line.
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Mr. Consistency did it again. Kelce keeps tacking on successful seasons to the end of what will ultimately be a Hall of Fame career. Kelce remains the most mobile center in the game, and his ability to reach the second level of opposing defenses remains unrivaled. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts’ patented Tush Push might not be as fruitful with another center snapping the ball and leading the way.
Second-Team NFL All-Pro Offense
Quarterback: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
No quarterback was as efficient in 2023 as Purdy, whose 0.338 EPA per play lapped the rest of the NFL. Of course, EPA can often tell the story of a successful passing unit — and few signal-callers had as talented a supporting cast or better coaching than Purdy.
The former seventh-round pick improved both as a distributor and an off-schedule playmaker this year, and it’s impossible to ding Purdy for flawlessly operating the offense put in front of him.
Running Back: Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Already a first-time Pro Bowler at age 31, Mostert did enough this season to warrant second-team All-Pro consideration. Battling through the injury issues that have derailed his past campaigns, Mostert set a career-high with 234 touches while tying McCaffrey for the league lead with 21 touchdowns.
Among RBs with at least 200 carries, Mostert trailed only CMC in rushing yards over expectation per attempt, suggesting he produced more than what was blocked.
Wide Receiver: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Only C.J. Stroud’s impressive first NFL campaign might prevent Nacua from winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but the Rams wideout will be up for other hardware, regardless. The BYU product is top-10 league-wide in targets (160), receptions (105), receiving yards (1,481), and yards per route run (2.59), all of which are new NFL rookie records.
Wide Receiver: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk’s talent had never been disputed, and the 49ers WR put it all together in 2023. The only receiver aside from Tyreek Hill to post more than three yards per route run this season, Aiyuk ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s WR tracking metrics. He was the only qualified wideout with an average depth of target (aDOT) of at least 13 yards who caught more than 70% of his targets.
Wide Receiver: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans ranked just behind Aiyuk in aDOT and didn’t haul in as many of his intended targets, but the veteran led the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns and brought in 30 contested catches, fifth-most in the league.
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His instant connection with first-year Bucs QB Baker Mayfield helped Tampa Bay’s offense thrive and pushed the club into the playoffs.
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Although Kelce couldn’t match his 2022 statistics this season, he still ranked second among tight ends in yardage (984), third in receptions (93), and scored five touchdowns, continuing to add to his Hall of Fame résumé in his age-34 campaign. The Minnesota Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson, whose 2023 production was nearly identical to Kelce’s, was in a dead heat for this slot.
Left Tackle: Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
Houston’s offensive line dealt with myriad injuries in 2023, and Tunsil wasn’t immune, as he only started 14 games. But the veteran left tackle was an elite pass blocker in his appearances, consistently shutting down opposing pass rushers and keeping Stroud upright. Tunsil has never earned a first or second-team All-Pro berth.
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
The definition of a technician, Johnson only slid to the second team in 2023 because he missed one game and most of another. He’s a “set it and forget it” right tackle who will go down in history as one of the best to play his position. Philadelphia’s offensive line has been a strength for years, and Johnson is every bit as crucial as center Jason Kelce.
Left Guard: Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
A torn plantar fascia could hinder Smith’s playoff output, but the second-year guard authored a spectacular 2023 follow-up to his excellent 2022 debut. After playing primarily left tackle during his rookie campaign, Smith spent the entirety of this season at left guard and improved every phase of his game. Smith is a find for Dallas, regardless of whether his long-term future is at guard or tackle.
Right Guard: Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns
Teller remained a constant along Cleveland’s offensive line this season while nearly everything else changed.
The Browns are down to second and third-stringers at tackle, while LG Joel Bitonio and C Ethan Pocic have also missed time. Teller is a weapon as a puller in the run game, while his strength and physicality remain unparalleled.
Center: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Ragnow had every right to be listed as a first-team All-Pro, but three missed games hampered his chances to usurp Kelce.
Injuries remain a concern for Ragnow, but there’s no arguing with his production. Dominant at the point of attack, the former first-round pick is one of the toughest players in the NFL.
First-Team NFL All-Pro Defense
Edge Rusher: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
While Parsons’ 14 sacks are just eighth in the NFL, pressures are more indicative of performance than pure sacks — and Parsons leads the league with 102 total pressures, per PFF. He somehow finished first in pass rush win rate (37%) despite being double-teamed at a higher rate (34%) than any other edge defender. That shouldn’t be possible.
Edge Rusher: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Garrett finished second to Parsons in win rate despite being impeded by a shoulder injury over the final third of the season. The Browns finally got Garrett some help this season, adding Za’Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo to their pass-rushing depth chart and allowing Garrett to evade double teams at a better rate than in years past.
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Donald is still the GOAT defensive tackle. His entire career has been an outlier, and 2023 was no different, as no other DT came within 15 pressures of Donald’s 84. The only household name on an anonymous Rams defense full of rookies and journeymen, Donald is unrivaled in his ability to shoot gaps and puncture the interior.
Defensive Tackle: Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
One of six pending free agents on our list (all defensive players), Madubuike made himself a boatload of money by breaking out for a 13-sack campaign in 2023. No other player who lined up primarily on the defensive interior posted more than 11 sacks this year. Only Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt had more quarterback hits than Madubuike (32).
Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Warner can do it all. He’s effective as a blitzer and a run-stopper, but his true talent lies in the passing game. Warner allowed just an 81.7 passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage, the best mark among linebackers with at least 300 coverage snaps in 2023.
Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Smith’s Oct. 2022 arrival in Baltimore has redefined the Ravens’ defense over the past year-plus, allowing the group to become one of the most dominant units in the NFL.
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Baltimore’s defense can roll out multiple schemes and coverages, and having a veteran like Smith certainly doesn’t hurt. His one-handed interception against the Dolphins in Week 17 punctuated his outstanding 2023 campaign.
Cornerback: Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only two defenders have earned first-team All-Pro nods in each of their first two seasons: Parsons and Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Gardner should become the third in 2023 after another season of tight coverage. Just three cornerbacks allowed fewer yards per reception than Gardner (8.7); two were slot CBs, and the other is coming up next.
Cornerback: Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson had flashed over his first three NFL seasons, but all the pieces fit together in 2023. The former second-round pick led all qualified corners in yardage (195) and passer rating allowed (33.3) while managing four interceptions. The Bears held onto Johnson at the trade deadline and could conceivably franchise tag him this offseason.
Cornerback: DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys
Bland has been beaten at times, but there’s no way to leave a corner with nine interceptions and an NFL-record five pick-sixes off the All-Pro team. Having shifted from the slot to the perimeter after fellow Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs’ season-ending injury, Bland is among the most dangerous defensive backs in the game. He’s a turnover waiting to happen.
Safety: Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
Bates became one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties when he signed with Atlanta last offseason, and he delivered on his contract in his debut campaign.
He filled up the stat sheet in 2023, posting three forced fumbles, 11 pass breakups, and six interceptions, including a pick-six in a critical Week 12 victory over the division-rival New Orleans Saints.
Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
The third and final Raven on our defensive All-Pro roster, Hamilton has been everything Baltimore could have hoped for — and more — when it selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft.
The Notre Dame product is an eraser in coverage who can keep up with all types of opposing pass catchers. But Hamilton also posted three sacks and 14 pressures despite rushing the passer fewer than 40 times.
Second-Team NFL All-Pro Defense
Edge Rusher: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Availability is the best ability, but talent is helpful, too. Luckily for the Raiders, Crosby offers both. He was the only defensive lineman to play more than 1,000 snaps in 2023, leading DL in playtime for the second consecutive season. Crosby is dynamite against the run and finished fourth among edge rushers with 86 pressures.
Edge Rusher: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year put up another phenomenal campaign in 2023. While he dropped to 10.5 sacks after leading the league with 18.5 in 2022, Bosa ranked first with 21 quarterback knockdowns and finished second to Parsons in total pressures. He was double-teamed at a 26% clip; only Parsons and Garrett saw extra attention more often.
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of double teams, Jones occupied two blockers a whopping 73% of the time, the highest rate in the league. With offensive linemen focused on Jones, other Chiefs pass rushers like George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu were able to reach opposing QBs. Of course, Jones did alright for himself, posting 10.5 sacks in 16 games.
Defensive Tackle: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Williams managed just 5.5 sacks in 2023 after putting 12 last season, but those numbers don’t tell the entire story. He finished second behind Donald and Jones in interior pressures and ranked eighth among DTs in pass rush win rate. Williams simply got unlucky when converting that pressure into sack production.
Linebacker: Quincy Williams, New York Jets
The Kelce brothers aren’t the only siblings to make PFN’s 2023 All-Pro team. Quincy Williams makes the list after posting more defensive stops — PFF’s metric, which credits defenders for generating negative EPA — than any other linebacker. He also took great strides in coverage and paced all LBs with eight pass breakups.
Linebacker: Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Several other linebackers could have claimed this spot. C.J. Mosley, Williams’ teammate, had an excellent season in New York. Frankie Luvu did everything for the Carolina Panthers. And T.J. Edwards — not Tremaine Edmunds — was the Bears’ most productive LB.
But Davis played another 1,000 snaps, blitzed opposing QBs, and clogged rushing and passing lanes. An eventual dropoff is inevitable for the 34-year-old Davis, but it didn’t occur in 2023.
Cornerback: L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs
Sneed was arguably the most challenging player to leave off our first team. Twenty-five cornerbacks played at least 900 snaps in 2023 — Sneed was the only one who did not allow a touchdown in coverage. Capable of playing outside or in the slot, Sneed is in line for a significant payday this offseason.
Cornerback: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Ward consistently held wide receivers in check, ranking fifth among corners with a 56.8 passer rating allowed in coverage.
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His aggressive attitude is evident in every phase of the game. Ward is arguably the best run-defending CB in the NFL, while no defender got his hand on more passes than the 49ers defensive back (23).
Cornerback: Martin Emerson, Cleveland Browns
While Denzel Ward is Cleveland’s most high-profile cornerback, Emerson had the better season in 2023. He played in all 17 games, ranking second behind Jaylon Johnson in passer rating allowed (45.3). Like Sneed, Emerson did not give up a touchdown all season.
Safety: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of this year’s more obvious Pro Bowl snubs, Winfield gets a makeup via a second-team All-Pro nod.
Playing nearly every snap for a Bucs team that snuck into the playoffs as the NFC South winner, Winfield set new career highs in interceptions (three), sacks (six), forced fumbles (five), and fumble recoveries (four).
Safety: Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
The Giants’ 2023 campaign was rocky, and not everything went right for McKinney, who got into hot water with DC Wink Martindale after criticizing New York’s coaching staff in Week 9.
But the former Alabama safety played the best football of his career, spending time deep, in the box, and manning the slot while playing over 1,000 defensive snaps.
NFL All-Pro Special Teams
Kicker: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Aubrey was a walking advertisement for minor league football this year. The ex-USFL star connected on all 35 consecutive field goal attempts to begin the season. He missed his first two FGs in Week 18, but one was blocked.
Aubrey was hardly attempting chip shots in 2023, as he tried nine kicks from 50+ yards, fourth-most in the league. He also missed just three extra points and managed a touchback on 93.1% of his kickoffs.
Punter: A.J. Cole, Las Vegas Raiders
While we’re hardly punting experts, the fine folks at Puntalytics credited Cole with generating 0.23 EPA per punt. He tied Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse for the best rate in the NFL in 2023, but Stonehouse punted 22 fewer times while spending the end of his season on injured reserve.
Kick Returner: KeiSean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
The NFL’s new kickoff rules have largely made electric kick returns a thing of the past. Nixon was one of only two players to post enough kick returns to qualify for year-end statistical rankings, along with the Jets’ Xavier Gipson. While he didn’t score a kick return TD this season, Nixon posted two returns of 40+ yards.
Punt Returner: Britain Covey, Philadelphia Eagles
Covey didn’t post a return touchdown in 2023, either, but he finished first in total punt return yardage and second in average return length. He’s also been explosive. Covey led the NFL with seven punt returns of 20+ yards and was one of only two players with multiple 40+ yard returns.
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