On Friday morning, the AP All Pro team was released, revealing that, once again, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner had made the team:
Ezekiel Elliott, Tyreek Hill and Matt Ryan among 17 first-time members of AP All-Pro Team https://t.co/2HXM2lRJkL #NFL pic.twitter.com/hdyUnSZIpk
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) January 6, 2017
Wagner led the league in tackles and had the third most sacks by any standup linebacker (trailing the co-leaders by only half a sack) in the NFL. Wagner has been named to the All Pro team for three consecutive years now (second team in 2015) and is the only Seahawk on the 2016 first team list.
Tyler Lockett was also named as the second team All Pro returner, per John Boyle of the Seahawks:
In addition to Bobby Wagner earning first-team All-Pro honors, Tyler Lockett was named to the second team as a returner. #Seahawks
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) January 6, 2017
Other Seattle defenders came close but, ultimately, did not make the list:
Seahawks Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas all missed being 2nd team AP All-Pro by 1 or 2 votes.
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) January 6, 2017
Wagner has been a Defensive Player of the Year candidate throughout the season, so it is great to see his on-field dominance translate into accolades. A second round pick out of Utah State in 2012, Wagner’s two first-team All-Pro nominations is the second-most in the draft class behind fellow inside linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, who has three. Could Wagner join Kuechly as a DPOY?
The NFL Honors ceremony will be held the night before the Super Bowl, on February 4th.
Seahawks vs. LionsLet's get ready for the playoffs! Seahawks vs. Lions!
Posted by Field Gulls: For Seattle Seahawks News and Analysis on Friday, January 6, 2017