Vikings' Justin Jefferson is a unanimous selection as first-team All-Pro

The receiver is first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career and is joined by Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola.

January 13, 2023 at 6:25PM
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (18) at practice this week. He will play his first NFL playoff game on Sunday. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Receiver Justin Jefferson checked one more box on his already impressive résumé with his initial first-team All-Pro selection — unanimously as one of two players to get all 50 votes from a national panel of media members.

Jefferson was one of two Vikings players, along with long snapper and fellow first-time honoree Andrew DePaola, to be included in the Associated Press' All-Pro team announced Friday. The 35-year-old DePaola, who also made his first Pro Bowl this season, received 26 first-place votes.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was the only other unanimous first-team All-Pro selection. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson — the 2018 Vikings draft pick cut after two games — was also named a first-team All-Pro pick.

Jefferson, who led the league with a career-high and franchise-record 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards, made the All-Pro second team in his first two years. He missed last year's top team by one vote to 49ers star Deebo Samuel. This year, Jefferson joins the Dolphins' Tyreek Hill and Raiders' Davante Adams on the first team.

"It'll mean a lot just to be recognized as one of the top in the league," Jefferson said earlier this week. "The first two years I got second team, so it'll definitely mean something to me to get first this time."

Vikings safety Harrison Smith and special teamer Josh Metellus received one first-team vote apiece. They each also had second-team votes. Other Vikings receiving second-team votes: kick returner Kene Nwangwu (27), cornerback Patrick Peterson (10), tight end T.J. Hockenson (seven), left tackle Christian Darrisaw (three), right tackle Brian O'Neill (one) and safety Camryn Bynum (one).

Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith had a productive season, ranking fourth in quarterback pressures along with 10 sacks, but did not receive a single vote.

MARK CRAIG'S AP ALL-PRO BALLOT

First-team offense

WR (3): Justin Jefferson; Tyreek Hill; A.J. Brown
TE (1): Travis Kelce
LT (1): Andrew Thomas
LG (1): Joe Thuney
C (1): Jason Kelce
RG (1): Zack Martin
RT (1): Lane Johnson
QB (1): Patrick Mahomes
RB (1): Josh Jacobs

First-team defense

Edge rusher (2): Micah Parsons; Nick Bosa
Interior lineman (2): Chris Jones; Dexter Lawrence
LB (3): Matt Milano; Fred Warner; Roquan Smith
CB (2): Tariq Woolen; Sauce Gardner
S (2): Minkah Fitzpatrick; Talanoa Hufanga

First-team special teams

Place-kicker (1): Jason Myers
Punter (1): Tommy Townsend
Kick returner (1): Keisean Nixon
Punt returner (1): Marcus Jones
Special teamer (1): George Odum
Long snapper (1): Andrew DePaola

Second-team offense

WR (3): Davante Adams; Stefon Diggs; Jaylen Waddle
TE (1): George Kittle
LT (1): Trent Williams
LG (1): Joel Bitonio
C (1): Frank Ragnow
RG (1): Mike Onwenu
RT (1): Tristan Wirfs
QB (1): Joe Burrow
RB (1): Austin Ekeler

Second-team defense

Edge rusher (2): Myles Garrett; Haason Reddick
Interior lineman (2): Quinnen Williams; Daron Payne
LB (3): C.J. Mosley; Bobby Wagner; Lavonte David
CB (2): Patrick Peterson; Jaire Alexander
S (2): Ryan Neal; Tyrann Mathieu

Second-team special teams

Place Kicker (1): Daniel Carlson
Punter (1): Logan Cooke
Kick returner (1): Kene Nwangwu
Punt returner (1): Kalif Raymond
Special teamer (1): Jeremy Reaves
Long snapper (1): Zach Wood

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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