It is no secret the Pittsburgh Steelers have talent on their roster, especially on the offensive side of the football. With the 2016 regular season well in the rear view mirror, several organizations are giving out their post-season awards. The Associated Press (AP) already handed out their All-Pro designations, and now it is the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) turn to do the same.
Of course the Steelers are represented on the All-Star team by Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, but even there is a difference between the two players. Brown was named to the PFWA All-NFL team, while Bell was named only to the PFWA All-AFC team.
Both players are more than worthy of these honors, but there are several players who could have an ax to grind regarding being snubbed from the list. The majority of these players would reside along the Steelers’ offensive line.
While it is tough to put any number of the Steelers’ starting 5 offensive linemen above those who made the PFWA All-NFL team, there is certainly a case to be made for Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert to all receive recognition for their efforts on the PFWA All-AFC team.
Check out both rosters below, and you can read more about the selection process at the PFWA website.
2016 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
QB – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
RB – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers#; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons*
TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*; Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders
T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys#; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns&
Defense
DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders*
DT – Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*; Damon Harrison, New York Giants
OLB – Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons; Von Miller, Denver Broncos#
MLB – Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs*; Landon Collins, New York Giants
Special Teams
PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
P – Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams*
KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings*
PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
* – repeat selection from 2015
# – consecutive selections from 2014-16
& – consecutive selections from 2013-16
2016 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots#
RB – Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers&; T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
C – Rodney Hudson, Oakland Raiders*
G – Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens#
T – Donald Penn, Oakland Raiders; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns&
Defense
DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders*
DT – Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals*; Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins*
OLB – Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills; Von Miller, Denver Broncos&
MLB – Dont’a Hightower, New England Patriots
CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs*; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs*; Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Special Teams
PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots@
* – repeat selection from 2014
# – consecutive selections from 2014-16
& – consecutive selections from 2013-16
@ – consecutive selections from 2011-16