For the players. By the players.
That was the inspiration behind the NFL Players Association's inaugural vote to determine the top players at each position.
The "Players' All-Pro Team" was revealed heading into Super Wild Card Weekend, and it came as no surprise that Dexter Lawrence was voted in at nose tackle.
The 25-year-old put together a stellar 2022 regular season. He set new career-highs with 7.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits, shattering his previous bests of 4.0 and 11, respectively. He also set new high marks in total tackles (68), tackles for loss (seven), pass breakups (three) and forced fumbles (two) on his way to being selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
"Every great defense has a centerpiece," defensive coordinator Wink Martindale told the media last week. "You go back and look at the defense that we're building with the great defenses of the past, they always have a great centerpiece. And he has definitely become the centerpiece of our defense and I think it's awesome. I told him yesterday I was so happy for him, proud of him, because he's a good person, he's smart, and he's worked his tail off. I think it's great when you see a player succeed who puts as much work in as he has."
After never topping 69 percent of defensive snaps played in his first three seasons, Lawrence played a whopping 82 percent of the Giants' defensive snaps in 2022 (864 snaps).
"I think Dexter's been a really good team leader for us; he's been a good player for us," coach Brian Daboll said recently. "I think different people build their teams different ways. I think it's important to be strong up the middle. Dexter's had a good season for us. I'm glad he's on our football team."
View photos of defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence's career with the Giants.
The Players' All-Pro Team is voted on exclusively by players.
Here are the voting rules, according to the NFLPA website:
- Only active NFL players can vote and they get only one vote.
- If a player missed five or more games as of Week 15, then they are ineligible.
- Players cannot vote for themselves or for their own teammates
- Players vote for the position group they play in and line up against. (For example, centers can vote for centers, nose tackles, interior defensive linemen, off-ball linebackers)
- Various player leaders from each team nominate their two best special teams players (or "core teamers") for the ballot. We wanted the locker rooms to decide who should represent their team in that position.
Here is the entire 2022 NFLPA All-Pro Team:
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Wide Receiver: Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk, San Franciso 49ers
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Interior Defensive Line: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Interior Defensive Line: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Edge Rusher: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Edge Rusher: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Nose Tackle: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
Off-Ball Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Off-Ball Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
Strong Safety: Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
Cornerback: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Cornerback: Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Kicker: Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Punt Returner: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Core Teamer: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
Core Teamer: Justin Hardee, New York Jets
Long Snapper: Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans