Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith named to AP All-Pro team

It won't net him a free trip to Orlando, but weeks after his Pro Bowl snub, Harrison Smith picked up a more prestigious honor on Friday.

Smith, who tied his career high with five interceptions while playing a multifaceted role in the Vikings defense, was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday. It was the first time Smith has been named to an All-Pro team; the safety and cornerback Xavier Rhodes became the first Vikings defenders to receive first-team All-Pro honors under coach Mike Zimmer.

Rhodes intercepted two passes and broke up 10 while taking on a greater role as the Vikings' shutdown corner than he has before. He shadowed receivers in 10 of the Vikings' 17 games, corralling receivers like Julio Jones and Antonio Brown.

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, who set a career high with 13 sacks, and receiver Adam Thielen, who caught a career-high 91 passes, were named second-team All-Pro.

Of the 28 first-team picks, including five special-teams players and an extra defensive back, 18 went to NFC teams. The Rams led the way with six first-team All-Pro selections, including three specialists. The Steelers had four, including Brown, the only unanimous selection.

The brilliant wide receiver of the Pittsburgh Steelers drew all 50 ballots Friday from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league. Brown missed the last two-plus games with an ankle injury.

He was among four players to make a fourth All-Pro squad, joining New England tight end Rob Gronkowski, Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly and Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker.

The repeaters from 2016 were Rams interior defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who got 49 votes, and punter Johnny Hekker; and Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner.

In their turnaround season, the Rams led the way with six All-Pros, including two more specialists: kicker Greg Zuerlein and kick returner Pharoh Cooper. Running back Todd Gurley and left tackle Andrew Whitworth were honored.

"Dang, that's crazy. It means a lot, honestly," said Gurley, who likely would have led the league in rushing had he played in LA's finale. "It's a blessing. I've got so much respect for everybody in this league, and to be in this position just means so much to me.

"I've been following people around the NFL my whole life, and to be considered as an All-Pro, man, God is good, honestly. Honestly."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made his third All-Pro team.

Three Steelers joined Brown on the roster: Le'Veon Bell as the flex, interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward, and right guard David DeCastro. No other team had more than two All-Pros, with the stronger NFC getting 18 players and the AFC 10.

Two rookies made it: punt returner Jamal Agnew of Detroit and special teamer Budda Baker of Arizona.

Also making it: Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce; Panthers left guard Andrew Norwell; Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins; Jaguars edge rusher Calais Campbell and cornerback Jalen Ramsey; Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan; Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones; Vikings' Rhodes and Smith; Detroit defensive back Darius Slay; and Titans safety Kevin Byard.

First-timers made an impression on both sides of the ball, with 16 on the team: Byard, Slay, Rhodes, Smith Jones, Jordan, Ramsey, Campbell, Hopkins, Norwell, Kelce, Johnson, Agnew, Baker, Gurley, and Cooper.

Wagner is on his third All-Pro squad.

"When you get voted for these types of awards," he said, "it shows you all the work you do in the offseason, the grinding, all the things you push through ... when you get this, when people say this is not AFC, NFC, this is the league, this is who we deem the best at their position in the league, that says a lot. And you see the guys before you, the things they were able to accomplish, you've seen those things and you want those things. It's part of that mindset of wanting to be great and understanding what comes along with that, and wanting that kind of acknowledgment."

While making All-Pro has become almost natural for Wagner, Jordan finally got there in his seventh pro season.

"I'm definitely trying to push myself to be better than I was the year previous," he said. "I think I had a really good year last year. Of course, sack numbers won't show that, but in terms of playing the run, in terms of getting after the passer I thought last year was one of my better years (7 1-2 sacks, 17 tackles for loss). So what I wanted to do this year is, of course, push myself to be better than last. That probably only poses the problem of where I go next year. Now I've got to shoot for more than what I did this year."