5 players named unanimous All-Pros for 2021 NFL season

The All-Pro team carries a special distinction from that of a Pro Bowler. The Associated Press (AP), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), and Sporting News (SN) select the NFL’s All-Pro team. This means that players are not voted in by the public but rather a select group of NFL writers and broadcasters. For 2021, five players were unanimous choices for the AP's 2021 NFL All-Pro Team.

The AP unanimously selects 5 NFL players for the All-Pro Team

The 50-member panel selected 11 First Team Players on Offense and 11 First Team Players on Defense with 6 First Team Special Teams. Five of those players made the team with a unanimous vote among the panel.

#5 - Cooper Kupp, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams

Arizona Cardinals v Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp was the best wide receiver by a big margin during the regular season. The addition of quarterback Matthew Stafford elevated Kupp’s game as the two quickly developed a chemistry in their first season playing together.

Kupp compiled 145 receptions for 1,947 yards with 16 touchdown receptions. He led all receivers in all three statistical categories. The Rams are in the playoffs and hope to make a deep run off the arm of Stafford and Kupp’s hands.

#4 - Davante Adams, wide receiver, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers v Baltimore Ravens

Davante Adams made the All-Pro team for the second consecutive season. As quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s favorite target, Adams racked up 123 receptions, 1,553 yards and 11 total touchdown receptions.

He helped lead the Packers to a number one seed in the playoffs and will have a bye week to prepare for a deep playoff run–and a Super Bowl appearance, something that Adams has not achieved in his stellar career thus far.

#3 - Jonathan Taylor - running back, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt

It’s no surprise that the NFL’s leading rusher this season earned unanimous votes to be on the First Team Offense. Jonathan Taylor dominated all season to the tune of 1,811 total rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. Arguably, if Derrick Henry had stayed healthy all season, the two might have been battling it out on the ground.

Taylor’s breakout season came in just his sophomore year after a big second half in his rookie year. The Colts missed the playoffs in Week 18 due to their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Taylor is primed to be the focal point of the Colts’ offense for seasons to come.

#2 - T.J. Watt - defensive end, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald

T.J Watt earned his All-Pro status by simply tying former New York Giants DE Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. Both achieved 22.5 sacks in the regular season; although Watt had the benefit of an extra game while Strahan achieved his record in 17 regular season appearances.

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to sneak into the playoffs and will need Watt to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage if they have any hope of beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card game.

#1 - Aaron Donald - defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals

It’s old hat by now for Aaron Donald to make the All-Pro team. 2021 represents his 7th year in a row making the All-Pro list. Donald is also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year so another All-Pro designation only further validates his status as the premier defensive player in the league.

This season, Donald filled the stats sheet with 12.5 sacks, 38 solo tackles and 4 forced fumbles. He has achieved double-digit sack totals in 6 of his 8 seasons in the NFL. He is the anchor of the Rams’ defense and an important cog in their hopes of making a run at the Super Bowl.